Physical Therapist Assistants

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.

Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.

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.

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

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.

Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.