A Brief Overview

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under licensed physical therapists to help people with physical injuries or illnesses of to regain range of movement and control their pain. Under the PT’s direction, PTAs help people who have lost motor function due to accidents, illness or age.

What You Will Do

• Provide physical therapy services only under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
• 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.
• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
• Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
• Measure patients’ range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
• Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
• Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
• Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
• Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
• Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
• Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
• Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
• Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
• Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
• Implement selected components of care and interventions in a technically competent manner.
• Identify patient’s needs and exhibit compassion, caring, and empathy to individual differences.
• Recommend options, courses of action or modifications in selected treatments ensuring patient’s progress, safety and comfort.
• Apply the latest research related to restoring function, reducing symptoms frequency, and preventing injury.
• Complete documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
• Perform selected data collection and obtain accurate information.
• Measure performance and report on patient’s medical record.
• Participate in patient status judgments.
• Adhere to ethical and legal standards.
• Ensure continued competence and updated field knowledge.
• Assesses learning needs, develops competency plans and provides opportunities for learning
• Participate in quality standards and identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes.
• Participates in departmental meeting and programs.
• Develop and maintain favorable internal relationships, partnerships with co-workers, including clinical managers, clinical support staff, providers and business office staff.
• Collaborate with all members of the care team in providing patient-centered care.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
• Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.