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Physical Therapy Assistant Training Programs

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 19 2010

Physical therapy assistants (PTA) work alongside of physical therapists and aid them in almost all aspects of patient care. Most states require PTAs to have completed at least an associate’s degree and be licensed in the state they work. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, PTAs help make therapy sessions as productive as they can be. In a sense, they take things apart so that they can help put them back together again. Physical therapy assistants are expected to assist in providing treatment to patients that will improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or lessen physical disabilities.

In order to provide the very best patient care, PTAs are expected to possess the following characteristics:

• Well organized
• Detail oriented
• Caring
• Strong
• Physically fit • Patient
• Able to take direction
• Clear communicator
• Work well in a team situation
• Have strong interpersonal skills
• Strong desire to help people in need

Who does a PTA treat?

PTAs will treat patients of all ages and abilities. This could range from children born with disabilities to injured athletes. Patients may also have experienced some sort of physical trauma, such as injury, heart attack, fracture, or disease, that has left their ability to move impaired. Physical therapy assistants in outpatient clinics may see a patient once, after a procedure, and never again. Home health care PTAs may visit patients for years. As a physical therapy assistant you will provide the practical, hands-on help that can truly be life-changing for these patients in their day-to-day lives.

What can a PTA do?

• A large assortment of tasks can be performed by physical therapy assistants. While some states do have specific guidelines as to what a PTA can and cannot do, the following physical therapy job description is universally assigned by physical therapists to their assistants. Provide exercise instruction
• Assist and motivate patients as they perform exercises and functional activities
• Give massages
• Administer pain relief through therapeutic methods like electrical stimulation and mechanical traction
• Perform ultrasounds
• Prepare treatment areas
• Confer with physical therapy staff regarding patients care, progress, and the modifying of treatment
• Assist patients with their personal needs such as dressing and undressing and putting on and removing supportive devices such as braces, splints, and slings
• Administer active and passive therapeutic exercises, massage, and treatments
• Observe patients during treatment and compile and evaluate data on the responses and progress
• Report to physical therapists
• Perform clerical duties such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering phones, fielding patient questions, taking messages, and filling out and filing forms
• Teach deep breathing exercises to patients with respiratory conditions
• Fit patients for orthopedic needs, such as braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as crutches or walkers • Train patients in the use of orthopedic aides
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas
  

What can’t a PTA do?

Primarily, physical therapy assistants cannot, under any circumstances, work privately on their own. They must work with a physical therapist and assist with patient care, not dictate it. There are also guidelines that vary from state-to-state regarding the responsibilities of a PTA. The responsibilities and expectations of a PTA may also be governed by their place of employment.

How does a PTA advance?

There is not a lot of room for advancement as a physical therapy assistant. There is physical therapy assistant training available in geriatrics, pediatrics, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy and become recognized by The American Physical Therapy Association. Other PTA’s, with years of experience, may advance into non-clinical areas like administrative or academic teaching positions.

A PTA is not a stepping-stone to becoming a physical therapist as several years of more training and education are required to obtain a license as a physical therapist.