Physical therapist assistant responsibilities are varied but stem from carrying out the therapy plan put together by the physical therapist to help improve mobility or relieve pain caused by disability or disease in patients.
Day to Day Work
Generally, physical therapist assistants will carry out the day-to-day physical aspects of helping patients. Patients will include accident victims, stroke and heart disease victims, people with disabilities and those who have suffered head injuries.
Physical aspects of helping patients will vary depending on which area the assistant is working in as roles range from neurological rehabilitation to working with elderly patients in care homes to regain or maintain mobility.
Physical therapist assistant responsibilities also mean that they have to be physically fit and strong to handle patients.
Duties
Duties will tend to include therapeutic exercise, ultrasound, motor learning, traction, massage and patient and family education. The PTA will also help patients to use devices such as wheelchairs, crutches and prosthetics.
Administrative Tasks
Physical therapist assistant responsibilities will also include reporting to the physical therapist about the progress and response of the patients’ treatment. Administrative tasks such as regular written reports about patients are part of the role as well as general administrative work within departments.
Specialization
After completing a general degree in physical therapy many physical therapy assistants choose to specialize in specific areas which may be of particular interest to them. There are eight different specialties designated by the American Physical Therapy Association which therapists can choose to focus on if they have a particular field of interest.
These are:
· Cardiopulmonary Therapy: patients who have had heart or lung operations
· Clinical Electrophysiology: this is where electrodes are used on the body of people who have suffered trauma such as being in a car accident or war veterans.
· Geriatrics: helping elderly patients suffering with arthritis, osteoporosis, or cancer to maintain or improve mobility
· Neurology: helping patients with paralysis or balance problems to live independently
· Orthopedics: helping patients with injuries or diseases of the musculoskeletal system
· Pediatrics: young patients with problems such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida
· Sports physical therapy: helping athletes to achieve optimum performance and prevent injury as well as deal with sports injuries
· Women’s health: dealing with prenatal and postpartum depression, urinary incontinence and osteoporosis.
Helping Families Understand Independence
Another role which is included in physical therapist assistant responsibilities is to help educate the families on how to encourage independence in their patients.
Education
Experienced physical therapist assistants may also go into education either teaching at universities or colleges or promoting the role in schools and colleges.
Rewarding Career
Most physical therapist assistants enjoy seeing their patients getting better day by the day and being able to live their lives independently again particularly after injuries or amputations, which is what makes it such an attractive career option.
It is very important for therapists to be physically fit and active and also to have great communication skills as well as patience to carry out all of the physical therapist assistant responsibilities.