Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides typically perform the following tasks: • Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment. • Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff. • Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment. • Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist. • Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases. • Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. • Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support. • Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms. • Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules. • Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order. • Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings. • Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories. • Record treatment given and equipment used. • Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. • Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. • Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment. • Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed. • Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest.