What does a physical therapist assistant do?
The physical therapist assistant works under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. They provide services to improve strength, flexibility, relieve pain, promote fitness, and quality of life of people suffering from injuries or disease. Physical therapist assistants perform a wide variety of tasks involving exercise, massage, electrical stimulation, heat/cold treatment, ultrasound, traction, and hydrotherapy. They provide training to improve ambulation, body mechanics, posture, and athletic performance. Individuals who are licensed physical therapist assistants are eligible to work in hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, sports facilities, or home health agencies. Physical therapy clinics operate primarily in the day hours, but evening and weekend hours are available in some settings. There are opportunities for full and part time work.
The physical therapist assistant (PTA) performs physical therapy interventions and related tasks as directed by the supervising physical therapist. Such duties may include training patients in therapeutic exercise and activities of daily living, using physical agents such as cold, heat, electricity, or water for pain relief and healing, instructing persons in the use of assistive devices for walking, participating in wound care, promoting wellness and injury prevention, providing patient and family education, training patients in wheelchair activities, assisting the physical therapist in performing patient assessments and complex interventions, and much more. The PTA also monitors the patient’s response to treatment, performs various tests and measures, documents relevant aspects of patient care, and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist, as well as other health care professionals.
Related Questions
- Can the periodic reevaluation requirement be satisfied by the physical therapist assistant having a conference or discussion with the physical therapist about the patients condition?
- Are the individuals providing physical therapy care required to identify themselves as a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and/or physical therapy aide?
- Who is ultimately responsible for my care, the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or physical therapist aide?
