TNOTA’s PAMs Certification
About the PAMs Certification
TNOTA offers Physical Agent Modality (PAMs) certification courses several times per year in locations across the state. The format of our workshops is blended (lecture content delivered online, followed by a one-day in-person lab). Our PAMs certification courses are approved by the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy.
The PAMs certification is split into two components: thermal agents certification and electrical stimulation certification. Most practitioners choose to obtain certification in both. The thermal agents certification provides 15 contact hours for continuing education credit, and the electrical stimulation certification provides 20 contact hours. A minimum of 10 participants is required to host a course. Host sites receive 1 free registration for every 9 paid registrants. Courses are capped at 20 participants.
Pricing
Thermal only: $325 ($275 for TNOTA members)
Electrical only: $325 ($275 for TNOTA members)
Both thermal & Electrical: $650 ($550 for TNOTA members)
Course Details
- Workshop attendance is limited (based on availability of equipment needed for the training).
- The course is provided in a blended format. Lecture content is delivered via online, pre-recorded video. Links to the videos are provided at least a week in advance of the course; this is why registration for the course is cut-off one week before date of the in-person course.
- The hands-on lab takes place on site on a single day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Learners can expect 10 hours of recorded content for the thermal component of the course and 15 hours for the electrical component, plus on-site lab instruction for both. Each learner is responsible for viewing the video content in full prior to the hands-on portion of the workshop.
- Agenda for the on-site part of the workshop:
- 8:00-8:30 – Review of thermal agents exam and questions
- 8:30-11:00 – Lab on physical agents (thermotherapy, cryotherapy, ultrasound)
- 11:00-11:30 – Review of electrical stimulation exam and questions
- 11:30-12:30 – Lunch
- 12:30-2:00 – Lab on neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- 2:00-3:30 – Lab on electrical stimulation for pain control
- 3:30-4:30 – Lab on electrical stimulation for edema control and iontophoresis
- 4:30-5:00 – Wrap up and Q and A
- Participants may choose to take either the thermal component or the electrical part – or both. Those who complete the thermal workshop will receive 15 continuing education units and those completing the electrical workshop will receive 20 continuing education units.
- Payment must be made to TNOTA via the registration form on the website. Payment is not accepted at the course site.
FOR THE ON-SITE WORKSHOP:
Participants: OTs, OTAs, and OT and OTA students
Attire: Casual, shorts and T-shirt for lab sessions
THERMAL AGENTS CERTIFICATION COURSE
This course will satisfy all requirements for certification by the TN OT Licensing Board for use of thermal agents, excluding the supervised practice on patients, which can be done at the therapist’s own or another facility under the supervision of PTs, CHTs, OTs, and/or COTAs already certified. The course will include extensive hands-on practice the various thermal applications.
The following areas will be covered:
- The use of various equipment and application methods (ultrasound, superficial heat, cryotherapy)
- Use of heating agents for pain control and stimulation of metabolism.
- Use of cryotherapy for reduction of pain and inflammation, containment of edema and minimizing of secondary hypoxic injury.
Course objectives: At the completion of the course, participants will be able:
- To describe the physiological effects of the various thermal agents (superficial heating agents, cryotherapy, ultrasound, etc.) as well as differentiate tissue responses to the various modes of application.
- To select the appropriate thermal agent considering the area and conditions being treated.
- To describe equipment characteristics, indications, and contraindications for treatment, including identifying source and mechanisms of generation of thermal energy and its transmission through air and physical matter.
- To prepare the patient for treatment through positioning and adequate instruction.
- To explain to the patient the benefits expected of the thermal treatment.
- To determine dosage through determination of target tissue depth, stage of the condition (acute vs. chronic), and application of power/dosage calculation rules as appropriate.
- To administer treatment through identification of controls, sequence of operation, correct application techniques and application of all safety rules and precautions.
- To document treatment including immediate and long-term effects of thermal agents.
ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (in person):
This course will satisfy all requirements for certification by the TN OT Licensing Board for the use of physical agent modalities, excluding the supervised practice on patients, which can be done at which can be done at the therapist’s own or another facility under the supervision of PTs, CHTs, OTs, and/or COTAs already certified. The course will include extensive hands-on practice of electrical stimulation, using state-of-the art equipment.
The following areas will be covered:
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (electrical stimulation for strengthening, mobilization, functional exercise, etc.)
- Electrical stimulation for pain control
- Electrical stimulation for edema reduction
- Iontophoresis
Course objectives:
At the completion of the course, participants will be able:
- To determine the duration and mode of current appropriate to the patient’s neurophysiological status while understanding the underlying physical laws related to the passage of current through tissue.
- To describe normal electrophysiology of nerve and muscle tissue.
- To describe normal and abnormal tissue responses to external electrical stimuli.
- To identify and describe electrotherapeutic equipment capable of producing therapeutic electrical stimulation while understanding the properties, principles and therapeutic value of different electrical currents.
- To describe safety regulations governing the use of electrotherapeutic equipment.
- To describe requirements/idiosyncrasies of body areas and pathological conditions with respect to electrotherapeutic treatment.
- To prepare the patient for treatment through correct positioning and instruction regarding course of treatment and expected benefits.
- To correctly operate equipment, appropriately adjust intensity and the rate of stimulation and correctly place the electrodes to achieve the desired physiological response.
- To accurately document the treatment plan and progress, including short and long term effects of therapeutic electrical current.
Questions about PAMs certification courses can be sent to admin@tnota.org
Check the TNOTA Events Calendar for upcoming PAMs courses in your area!