Physical Therapist Aides :: Job Description

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Physical Therapist Aides

Careers / Physical Therapist Aides

Summary Description


	Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Clinical Rehabilitation Aide

2.	Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)

3.	Occupational Therapy Aide

4.	Physical Therapist Aide (PTA)

5.	Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

6.	Physical Therapist Technician

7.	Physical Therapy Aide (PTA)

8.	Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

9.	Physical Therapy Attendant

10.	Physical Therapy Technician

11.	Physiotherapy Aide

12.	Rehabilitation Aide

13.	Rehabilitation Assistant

14.	Rehabilitation Attendant

15.	Rehabilitation Technician

16.	Restorative Aide

17.	Restorative Care Technician

Job Tasks

	Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.

	Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress, and report to physical therapist.

	Instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients practicing exercises and functional activities, under direction of medical staff.

	Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

	Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.

	Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment.

	Record treatment given and equipment used.

	Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, and filling out forms.

	Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.

	Maintain equipment and furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly and disassembly of equipment and accessories.

	Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses or supportive devices.

	Administer active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, and heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.

	Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.

	Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.

	Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.

	Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest.

	Assist patients to dress, undress, and put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, and slings.

	Administer traction to relieve neck and back pain, using intermittent and static traction equipment.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.


		administer medications or treatments

		fit medical supportive devices

		position patient for therapy

		prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments

		work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses

		assist patient in performing breathing exercises

		fit patients for prosthetic device, using static or dynamic alignment

		assist patient with dressing, undressing, grooming, or bathing

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.


		lift or transport ill or injured patients

		set up patient care equipment

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.


		inventory medical supplies or instruments

		maintain dental or medical records

		take messages

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.


		confer with physical therapy staff to discuss treatment

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.


		observe patient condition

		monitor medical oxygen equipment

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.


		apply traction

		construct medical supportive devices

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use massage therapy procedures

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		weigh patients

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.


		instruct patient in use of supportive device

		instruct patients in methods to improve functional activities

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		evaluate patient response to therapy

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).


		use medical equipment in direct patient care

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.


		schedule meetings or appointments

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		motivate patients to practice exercises

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		prepare patient reports

		retrieve files or charts

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.


		order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
	Physical therapist assistants and aides perform components of physical therapy procedures and related tasks selected by a supervising physical therapist. These workers assist physical therapists in providing services that help improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
	The hours and days that physical therapist assistants and aides work vary with the facility and with whether they are full- or part-time employees. Many outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours, to help coincide with patients' personal schedules. About 30 percent of all physical therapist assistants and aides work part time.

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Interesting Fact

Of all professions in the U.S., journalists are credited with having the largest vocabulary with approximately 20,000 words (about twice the US adult average).

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