Aquatic Therapy for Physiotherapy Assistants course

Please note this is a one day course with a certificate of attendance for your continuing professional development folder but is not a formal qualification.

Aim
“To equip a physiotherapy assistant with the knowledge and clinical reasoning skills necessary to work safely under supervision of a trained Aquatic Physiotherapist in a pool”.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the participant should be able to:

• Be aware of the relevant physical properties of water
• Appreciate and experience the effects of buoyancy, turbulence and the metacentre on a body in water. 
• Relate these properties to basic therapeutic handling in the water
• Demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of water to
  • Strengthening techniques
  • Range of movement techniques
  • Stabilisation
  • Balance
  • Relaxation 
• Demonstrate the ability to confidently use various flotation devices in regard to patient handling
• Demonstrate safe therapeutic handing of a patient in water
• Gain an understanding of the effects of immersion on the physiology of the human body. 
• Relate these changes to the safe screening of patients prior to Aquatic therapy 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the main Health and Safety legislation, and its implications on running an aquatic therapy service
• Demonstrate an understanding of water disinfection and testing related to the pool environment.
• Relate the above to maintaining a safe environment for staff and users including the ability to risk assess and to work under supervision of trained Aquatic Physiotherapists.

Timetable
9.00    (am)    Registration and Coffee
9.30                  Lecture / Discussion:        Hydrostatics and Hydrodynamics
                                                                                   Understanding water
10.45               Tea/Coffee
11.00               Pool Practical                        Hydrostatics and Hydrodynamics
                                                                                   Applying the principles
                                                                                   Exercise programmes
12.15  (pm)    Lunch
13.00              Lecture / Discussion:        Health and Safety Issues and screening
​                                                                                  Pool Chemistry and Pool Testing
15.00              Tea/Coffee
15.15              Pool Practical                        Inspiring confidence – Handling skills
                                                                                  Emergency procedures – relaxation
4.30                Discussion                               Evaluation and close