Hurtig Works With Amputees As Part Of PT Assistant Program

A Neligh-Oakdale graduate is among the students who recently worked with amputees for a during a neurologic rehabilitation session in Northeast Community College's lab. 

Students in the physical therapist assistant program at Northeast Community College connected their educational training during the experience. Three men, who have had leg amputations or have a congenital defect and use prosthetic fittings, shared their life experiences as they worked with the students.

Laura Schwanebeck, director of the PTA program and instructor, said the work took place as part of neurologic rehabilitation session covering amputee rehab.

“These gentlemen have graciously donated their time coming in to our lab and allowed our students to perform assessments of strength, range and motion, as well as residual limb wrapping. It really has been a great day.”

Schwanebeck said the week of lessons began with a lecture and lab where students began to “learn it.” She said once they understand it, they get to actually to apply it right away to a patient.

“The light bulbs come on a ton as they work with real life patients. The feedback I get from them is always, ‘Do not get rid of this experience!’” The more we can bring patients in like Danny, Jason and Mark and demonstrate real world situations, the better it is for the students. It really makes them connect to what they will encounter when they become employed.”

The three men were engaging with the students. Schwanebeck said all could talk for hours, “so that makes it much easier for the students as well.” She said they answered every question the students had and were very open about their injuries or circumstances.”

Labs are split in half when the men are on campus, so there are not too many students working with them at a time.

“This allows for a better ratio between the instructors, students and patients. Eight students worked with the patients in the morning while the remaining seven were in the afternoon,” Schwanebeck said.

Physical Therapist Assistant is a two-year program at Northeast Community College with a selective admissions process. Students learn how to work in all rehabilitative settings. In acute care, such as a hospital, they are instructed on how to get a patient in and out of bed and how to get them from a bed to a wheelchair, among other lessons.