Health

What is the Work of a Physical Therapy Assistant?

Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) play a vital role in healthcare by helping people achieve their rehabilitation goals.

They work alongside physical therapists to provide care to patients who have been injured, are recovering from surgery, or have disabilities that limit their mobility. Let’s dive deeper into what PTAs do, how they are trained, and why they’re essential to the healthcare system.

Who Are Physical Therapy Assistants?

Physical therapy assistants are licensed and trained medical professionals, working under the direction of physical therapists to treat patients.

They aid physical therapists in giving direct care to patients. This involves helping patients to gain strength, flexibility, and coordination. They treat patients from infancy to old age. Additionally, they also assist in treating patients who have had accidents or surgery, as well as those with chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Physical therapists design the treatment plans for patients using exercises, massages, and special equipment. They help patients improve their functioning and get rid of or reduce pain. The one who practically implements these plans, assesses the patient’s progress and reports back to the therapist is PTA.

Apart from technical knowledge, PTAs must have compassion, understanding and communication skills. Also, PTAs are required to observe their patients closely, and document the patient’s progress. This enables them to share updates with the physical therapist to adjust treatment as needed.

In their day-to-day work, PTAs may perform tasks like:

  • Monitoring patient progress to ensure treatment’s effectiveness.
  • Teaching patients how to use assistive devices like crutches or braces.
  • Administering treatments such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation to relieve pain.
  • Helping patients perform exercises to strengthen muscles or improve range of motion.

The role of PTAs is not just physical—it’s emotional too. They encourage patients to stay motivated during the recovery process, which can be challenging at times. They provide support and celebrate small victories, which can make a significant difference in a patient’s journey.

Physical Therapy Assistant vs. Physical Therapist: What’s the Difference?

A lot of people mix these two professions. While PTAs and PTs are related fields, they are different from each other. Here are the key differences between the two:  

Physical Therapist (PT)Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
Requires a doctoral degree, taking from 7-8 years of education.Requires an associated degree that can typically be completed in two years
Diagnose their patients to devise treatment plans and supervise the implementation of treatment plans.Implements the treatment plans made by the PTs and track their patients’ progress.
Spends less time with their patients and focuses more on developing treatment plans.Spends more time directly with the patients, communicating with them and providing care to them directly.
Can practice independently and make decisions on their own.Requires direction and coordination with the PT for adjusting the treatment plan.

Education and Training

Specialized education and licensure are required to be a physical therapy assistant.

PTAs must have an associate degree in a CAPTE-accredited program. It takes two years of full-time studies. The curriculum will include a mix of subjects including classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and clinical experience. Their key subjects include anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, clinical pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, and ethics/values.

Approximately 75 percent of the educational hours are completed in a lecture/class or laboratory. The other 25 percent are expected to be clinical rotations. This provides opportunities for students to gain practical experiences in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other facilities.

After completing their education, PTAs must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to obtain their license. Each state has its own licensing requirements. However, the NPTE is a universal step for all aspiring PTAs. This rigorous process ensures PTAs are well-prepared to provide high-quality care.

For those who want to advance their careers, additional certifications are available in specialized areas like geriatrics, orthopedics, and neurology. Advanced training programs, such as the PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program offered by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), help PTAs deepen their expertise.

What Do PTAs Do?

Here are some duties that PTAs do:

Directly work with patients on therapy

After a licensed physical therapist evaluates the patient and develops a treatment plan, the PTA starts working directly with the patients to implement those treatment plans. 

They help their patients regain their complete mobility, make their muscles stronger and prevent disability. Moreover, a PTA can help in alleviating muscle pain, improve blood flow to the affected area and decrease swelling within the muscles with the assistance of various physical treatments like soft tissue massage, electrical muscle stimulation, and ultrasounds.

Additionally, if a patient requires more intense therapy, a PTA can provide them with educational training on using assistive devices, including canes, crutches, and prosthetics.

Track patient progress

During the treatment, a PTA continues to reassess the patients in order to find out if there is a need to modify the plan. PTAs must share all the progress information with the PTs so they can make adjustments as required.

Documenting and reporting  

This is one of the most crucial aspects of the job as a PTA. It helps to understand the patients’ case and maintain a comprehensive treatment plan. PTAs should record all the factors associated with a patient’s recovery and progress.  

Documenting helps PTAs understand which aspects of the treatments are working better and where is the need to tweak it. 

Educating on preventing

An important part of being a PTA is teaching patients how they can effectively care for themselves and their families. Once the patient starts improving, the PTA will work with them to educate and train them on doing certain exercises. These exercises help them prevent injuries and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Community involvement 

As mentioned earlier, community involvement and empathy is essential for any PTA. They partner with different organizations to educate people on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and show them the ways to achieve that. 

Where Do PTAs Work?

You will see physical therapy assistants work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Home Health Care
  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Nursing Homes
  • Hospitals
  • Schools

Though each environment offers unique challenges and rewards, the goal stays the same: to help patients regain their mobility and become their active version.

Conclusion:

Physical therapy assistants are compassionate professionals who make a difference in people’s lives every day.

They help patients recover and help them lead healthier lives. Whether working in hospitals, clinics, or homes, PTAs are essential members of the healthcare team.

Considering a career as a PTA? Now is a great time to start! With growing demand and opportunities for advancement, this rewarding field offers a chance to make a real impact. To learn more about physical therapy and how it can help, visit My Choice Health Services.

Leo Jasper

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