Shoulder Introduction Course

This course is an AHTA introductory course.

It is suitable for practitioners:

• Commencing their hand therapy career who
• Want to gain confidence and skills in the assessment and treatment of common shoulder presentations and pathologies.
• Those undertaking a career change or returning to the workforce after extended leave.
• Clinicians who are looking to extend their current hand therapy skill set to include assessment and treatment of the shoulder.
• Continued professional learning (CPD hours)

• AHPRA registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist
• It is designed for Hand Therapy Practitioners

At completion of the course, therapists will be able to:

• Apply and demonstrate knowledge of the complex anatomy and mechanics of the shoulder and surrounding structures.
• Perform and evaluate a subjective and objective assessment of the shoulder, including screening for proximal (cervical) and distal pathologies.
• Apply knowledge of shoulder pathologies and other contributing factors (including biopsychosocial) in both the traumatic and atraumatic shoulder population that may influence shoulder symptoms and affect patient outcomes.
• Implement and evaluate symptom modification techniques, including practical tips that will positively influence patient outcome.
• Evaluate own skill set limits to recognise when to refer or engage other clinicians.

AHTA courses aim to meet Australian Quality Framework (AQF) Level 8 and are designed according to best practice education standards.

You MUST* attend a pre-course webinar on how to use Canvas, an online Learning Management System. You will receive the details for this pre-course webinar via email. 

You MUST* have a laptop or desktop for this pre-course webinar and the course. You cannot use an iPad or iPhone.

The course pre-learning will be available approximately four weeks before the course.

We recommend that you commence the pre-learning as soon as it is available.

This course's pre-learning includes assigned pre-reading (3-5 articles) and some pre-learning videos. The total time expected to complete these would be 2–3 hours. 

* If you do not attend the pre-course webinar or have the correct equipment, we will NOT be able to assist you at the course or the exam, as this will impact the learning time of others in the group.

The AHTA uses an online Learning Management System (LMS) called Canvas. Refer to 'Pre-learning.' 

This will be your ‘online textbook’ for all course content – including videos, pictures, written content, references, and links to other web pages. 

When you have registered for the course, you will be emailed a link to enrol.

Once you receive this link, you are encouraged to create login details, ready to use on the day. The Home Page includes important information, such as Course Information, Assessment, and Help and Support. The Modules tab is where you will find the course content, including any pre-learning. Announcements are where the course presenters can communicate with you before or during the course. Discussion allows course participants to ask questions or communicate with the presenters and other course participants.