Physical Therapist Assistants
Overview
Physical Therapist Assistants work closely with physical therapists to help people recover from injuries and manage pain through hands-on care. You'll guide patients through specific exercises, use techniques like massage and stretching, and operate equipment such as walkers and therapy machines to help restore movement. This role involves observing patients throughout their treatment, reporting progress to supervising therapists, and educating patients and their families about recovery plans. Most PTAs work in collaborative healthcare teams across hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers, often requiring an associate degree from an accredited program.
Did you know?
PTAs must complete an accredited associate degree program and pass a national licensing exam, with specific requirements varying by state.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$64,975.49 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Active Learning
Key Responsibilities
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
- Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
- Perform therapeutic wound care.
- Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
- Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
- Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
Career Considerations
Education and Licensing Requirements
PTAs must complete an accredited associate degree program and pass a national licensing exam, with specific requirements varying by state.
Strong Job Market Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average job growth for PTAs due to an aging population and increased demand for rehabilitation services.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The role requires significant physical activity including lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods while working in various healthcare settings.