Job Description: Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant Job Duties | Physical Therapy Assistant Schools | Physical Therapy Assistant Salary | Physical Therapy Assistant Pros and Cons

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF A THERAPY ASSISTANT

APPLY NOW - Spots Close Fast
Search For Colleges Below

The primary role of a physical therapy assistant is to prepare patients and implement physical therapy treatment plans. A physical therapy assistant provides treatment and care for patients under the supervision of a physical therapist in accordance with state laws. Development of treatment plans and modification of specific treatment plans in relation to specific patient status form part of the work function.

Physical therapy assistants require formal education and training to function in this role. Education is required in a range of subjects including anatomy, physiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, applied kinesiology, physical therapy modalities, basic neurology and orthopedics, phychosocial aspects of healthcare, electrotherapy, wound and injury care, working knowledge of prostheses. With the right education and training, a physical therapist assistant will implement treatment care plans, conduct treatment interventions, use a range of equipments in treatment care plans, train patients to perform exercises and observe and record individual patient progress through a treatment care plan.

What Are The Job Duties Of A Physical Therapy Assistant

· The principal role of the physical therapy assistant is to assist physical therapists in the provision of patient care. The physical therapist directs and supervises the physical therapy assistant’s performance in providing exercise, massage, gait and balance training and therapeutic methods of electrical modality treatment stimulations like ultrasound and mechanical traction
· Assist patient to dress and undress themselves
· Assist patient to put on or remove supportive devices like slings, braces and splints
· Securely fasten patients into or onto various therapy equipments
· Take measurements of patients’ body parts, vital signs and joint motion ranges for patient evaluations and treatment effectiveness
· Administer active or passive manual therapeutic massages and exercises
· Administer aquatic physical therapy
· Transport patients to and from treatment areas including lifting and transferring patients in accordance with treatment positioning requirements.
· Fit patients for various orthopedic devices like braces, limb positioning appliances, stirrups; fit patients for limb prostheses and supportive devices like crutches
· Use static or intermittent traction equipment to relieve a patient’s back or neck pain
· Provide treatment for respiratory conditions involving postural drainage, percussion and vibrations
· Teach patients deep breathing exercises to treat various respiratory conditions
· Observe patients during treatment to compile data on responses and progress for treatment effectiveness evaluation
· Record patient treatment responses and prepare reports of outcomes to specific treatment plans for the physical therapist
· Confer with physical therapist, physical therapy staff and other medical staff to discuss and evaluate patient information for the purposes of planning, coordinating or modifying treatment plans
· Train patients in the proper use of orthopedic devices, supportive devices or prostheses depending on individual patient needs
· Assist patients to practice exercises and functional activities; provide instruction, motivation and ensure patient safety during practice sessions
· Communicate to family members patient specific treatment plans and therapeutic activities; provide instruction to caregivers in this area
· Prepare treatment areas and equipment based on patient needs, for use by physiotherapists
· Clerical duties may involve inventory, answering telephones, taking messages, filling out forms, ordering supplies, preparing reports, creating and maintaining databases
· Maintain a clean work area, check equipment and store safely after use in patient treatment plans
· Attend or conduct seminars and in-service activities for continuing education

Physical therapy assistants need to be detail oriented, skilled in the use of equipments and the administration of treatment plans. Taking direction and working well as a part of a team is essential to the job. A physical therapy assistant needs to be strong to efficiently perform numerous physical activities like lifting, carrying, balancing and more. Good communication skills, patient handling skills, caring attitude and a desire to help people in need are essential skills needed for the role.

What Type of Degree is Needed To Be A Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical therapy assistants with very minimal exception, earn an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. In most states in America, physical therapy assistants are required to hold an associate degree by law. Accreditation of postsecondary physical therapy assistant programs is done by The American Physical Therapy Association’s Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

The route to a successful career as a physical therapy assistant lies in education. Completion of a two year accredited degree program is mandatory. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) reported 276 accredited physical therapy assistant programs in the U.S. for the year 2011. Only graduates of accredited programs can qualify for state licensure.

To gain admission to a physical therapy assistant program may require pre-entry testing to evaluate English, reading, math and science skills. Following acceptance to an accredited program, students will need to clear drug and alcohol screening and a physical examination; have documented up-to-date vaccinations and have knowledge of CPR and first aid. These requirements relate to the student’s ability to participate in clinical education. Schools offer orientation sessions to cover the pre-entry requirements.

Physical Therapy Assistant Associate Degree

Associate degree programs are generally conducted over a period of five semesters. The focus of the programs is on clinical physical therapy education where students learn anatomy, medical terminology, physical therapy assistance techniques, kinesiology, pathology and therapy exercises. Courses include academic class work including English and algebra; laboratory work, clinical hands-on experience, and completion of 16 weeks clinical practicums (practical work).

Educators and prospective employers view clinical experience as part of the overall training essential to ensuring physical therapy students understand the responsibilities of the role. Clinical work includes certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR, first aid and related field experience in various treatment centers.

Physical Therpay Assistant Licensure

All states with the exception of Colorado and Hawaii require physical therapy assistants to obtain licensure, certification or registration to practice their profession. Graduation from an accredited education program and passing the National Physical Therapy Exam are part of the licensing procedure. In addition, some states require students to pass state specific examinations. To maintain licensure or certification, some states require continuing education credits. State licensing boards provide complete information on licensure procedures for physical therapy assistants.

Physical therapy assistants may choose to specialize in a particular clinical field – this is not mandatory by law but a matter of personal choice. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTA) certifies seven specialized areas for physical therapist specialists. These areas include cardiovascular & pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, women's health, pediatrics, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics and sports. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) stipulates that members with a minimum of five years work experience and a significant number of continuing education credits render physical therapy assistants eligible for specialty certification. Additionally, proof of contribution to the profession and work reference letters will need to be produced.

What Is The Salary Of A Physical Therapy Assistant

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition that employment prospects for physical therapy assistants is expected to increase tremendously. The growth projected in this field of occupation is 35 percent for the period 2008 to 2018. The projection is that of a much higher average growth in this occupation as compared to most any other occupation.

Reasons for the extremely high growth projection include patient access to services due to changes in restrictions on reimbursement for physical therapy services; increase in the elderly population vulnerable to chronic and debilitating health conditions requiring therapeutic services; high number of baby boomers entering the life phase of heart attacks and strokes increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation; technological advancements in medicine permitting increased numbers of patients to survive accidents and birth defects, creating increased demand for rehabilitative therapy services.

Physical therapist assistants are in demand because of their abilities and training to provide various parts of patient specific treatment plans under the direction of a physical therapist.

Physical Therapy Assistant Wages

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 reports that the median annual wage for physical therapy assistants was $46,140; the middle 50 percent earnings range between $37,170 and $54,900. The highest 10 percent earnings were above $63,830 and the lowest 10 percent was below $28,580.

Employment of physical therapy assistants by largest numbers, by industry include: home health care services, nursing care facilities, general medical and surgical hospitals, offices of other healthcare practitioners and offices of physicians. These industries have the highest concentration of physical therapy assistants.

Estimates for employment and mean wages for physical therapy assistants from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the figure of 63,800 people employed in this role in 2008 will increase by approximately 35 percent by the year 2018, spurred by various factors that will increase demand for the profession.

National annualized data shows: the average hourly rate for a physical therapy assistant, ranges between $12 and $30; the hourly overtime rate for a physical therapy assistant, ranges between $14.5 and $44.50; the bonus for a physical therapy assistant ranges between $100 and $3,027 approximately. Overall annual pay scales range between $25,746 and $61,594 for a physical therapy assistant.

Median annual wages paid by the largest employers of physical therapy assistants by industry: Home health care services - $51,950; nursing care facilities - $51,090; general medical and surgical hospitals - $45,510; offices of other healthcare practitioners - $44,580; offices of physicians - $43,390.

(Figures are approximate and have been rounded off to the nearest full number)

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Physical Therapy Assistant

In every job there are advantages and disadvantages; the same holds good for physical therapy assistants. The advantages include:

· The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected faster than normal growth rate of 35 percent between the years 2008 and 2018 for physical therapy assistants.
· There are various factors influencing the demand for increased rehabilitative therapy services. For example, the increase in the country’s elderly population vulnerable to chronic and debilitating health conditions has led to an increase in the demand for rehabilitative therapy.
· There are many jobs in various industries for physical therapy assistants and the overall growth outlook for the healthcare industry is a very positive one.
· There are various fields of specialization for physical therapy assistants
· One of the most rewarding careers when rehabilitated patients make progress or patients with disabilities are enabled to walk out of the healthcare facility under their own steam
· There is a lot of respect for physical therapy assistants in the medical field
· Pay scales are more than decent and enable physical therapy assistants to enjoy a high quality of life.
· Physical therapy assistant occupation affords a second career option for people who need to earn additional wages.

The downside to becoming a physical therapy assistant may be attributed to the following negative aspects in the job:

· The role of a physical therapy assistant is a physical one involving considerable amounts of lifting and carrying patients, positioning them in or on equipments, providing massages and various other therapeutic treatments. This can be physically exhausting to the healthcare provider.
· Becoming a physical therapy assistant is not an easy road to travel with the amount of education and training required. A bachelor’s degree followed by an associate degree and passing special exams is time consuming.
· Licensure is a must in all but two states in America; this involves additional learning and training.
· Continuing education credits are mandatory in most states for physical therapy assistants to maintain licensure. People who work full time in a demanding occupation find it hard to make time to continue their education.
· There are differing levels of frustration in the job when patients do not make progress despite the enormous amount of effort put into the provision of treatment plans by the physical therapy assistant.