This course aims to guide therapists who are referring patients to the water and/or a resource for aquatic therapy department leaders. We will address common questions such as: How do I determine if your patient is appropriate for aquatic therapy? Does research support aquatic therapy for my patients' diagnosis? What insurance regulations must I be aware of? What factors must I consider prior to scheduling?

Speakers will review common indications, relative contraindications, and absolute contraindications to aid in medical screening prior to scheduling aquatic therapy. In addition, speakers review the clinical responsibilities of the evaluating therapist to ensure proper documentation of medical necessity and the importance of patient education.

Learning Objectives

Aquatic Physical Therapy is a unique environment for treatment. Despite its growing utilization, many therapists are unfamiliar with the benefits of aquatic therapy. We aim to increase appropriate interprofessional referrals to the pool to maximize patient function while ensuring proper medical screening and patient education is performed prior to scheduling.

Speakers
Joeline Hernandez, PT, DPT, OCS
Joeline has worked in Aquatic Therapy for the last four years with a variety of patient populations. Currently, Joeline works as a Physical Therapist at a hospital based outpatient clinic with UNC Health in Chapel Hill, NC. Joeline is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She currently serves as the Aquatics Committee Chair at UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Department and is a member of the APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy Education Committee. She is passionate about empowering patients to utilize the unique properties of water throughout their rehabilitation journey and beyond.

Heather works as an aquatic therapist treating patients with both neurologic and orthopedic concerns in Durham, North Carolina at Duke Health. Heather works as an outpatient physical therapist primarily serving patients with neurologic conditions and diagnoses and is working towards obtaining her Neurologic Clinical Specialization in the coming year. Heather is a member of that APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy and serves on both the Education and Communications Committees for the AAPT. Heather enjoys using the aquatic setting as a tool to assist patients in progressing towards their goals to maximize their participation and quality of life.

Nakinna has worked in aquatic therapy during several of her student clinical affiliations as well as the majority of her physical therapy career. She is a board certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist, aquatic exercise advocate, yoga instructor, & boxing enthusiast with an affinity for holistic care. She completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the Uni. of Mississippi Medical Center. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the Uni. of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Tougaloo College. She has worked in various settings as a travel physical therapist including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and home health but found her passion in the outpatient neurologic rehabilitation. She frequently utilizes aquatic exercise, yoga, Pilates based movement, and boxing in her repertoire of techniques to treat the patients in this setting including patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Some of the certifications and advanced specialty training she has pursued to support her practice include but are not limited to: APTA Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency, 200 Hour Yoga Instructor, Advanced Pilates for Neurological Conditions, Rock Steady Boxing coach for individuals with Parkinson's Disease, and Neuro IFRAH based treatment for individuals with Stroke or Brain Injury.

Note: CEU is not applicable in AK, CO, HI, LA, NJ, NM, NV
Note: CEU is not pre-approved in the following states, but licensees may seek their own approval in AR, CA, DE, OH, TX
All other states: .250 CEU/2.50 CCU or contact hours