Book excerpt: Ace your introductory PTA courses and launch a successful career in physical therapy The hands-down most trusted name for safe, effective physical therapy, Dutton’s now delivers the information and insights to guide you through your foundational courses. Dutton’s Introductory Skills and Procedures for the Physical Therapist Assistant covers the fundamentals of the field and helps you build your documentation and clinical decision-making skills―the keys to PTA success. Packed with color photos, illustrations, and line drawings, it provides access to videos demonstrating important techniques and skills throughout. This peerless resource covers: Healthcare regulations Clinical documentation Patient-client management Taking vital signs Muscle testing Range of motion Gait training Bed mobility Patient draping Patient transfers Assistive devices and wheelchairs The concepts and skills outlined in Dutton’s Introductory Skills and Procedures for the Physical Therapist Assistant will form the foundation of knowledge you need to succeed in the field of physical therapy.