Physical Therapist Assistant Job Description
Physical therapist assistants are healthcare workers who support physical therapists while they help patients recover physical function after surgeries or accidents. They often do so by working directly with patients. For example, a physical therapist assistant may be asked to observe patients before, during, and after care to assess any changes. They may also be tasked with helping patients complete specific exercises that have been prescribed to them by the physical therapist.
Other physical therapist assistant tasks are clerical in nature. For example, an employee in this role may be asked to clean and set up a treatment area for use by a new patient. They may also handle tasks like answering the phone and scheduling needs appointments. An individual may need an associate’s degree and special certification to qualify for this job.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Description Template
We are looking to add a skilled physical therapist assistant to our team. In this role, it will be your responsibility to support the physical therapist by working directly with patients. You may be asked to observe patients and note their changes. You may also spend time guiding patients through physical exercises that have been prescribed by the physical therapist.
Some of the duties for this role are also clerical. For example, you will help us schedule appointments for patients and answer phone calls. You will also prepare treatment rooms between patients by cleaning and sanitizing them.
To do well in this role, you should have some familiarity with the work that physical therapists do. You should also have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with limited supervision.
Physical Therapist Assistant Responsibilities:
- Answer phone calls
- Scheduling appointments
- Guide patients through physical exercises
- Sanitize rooms and equipment between patients
- Observe patients during their physical therapy sessions
- Perform other clerical tasks as needed
Physical Therapist Assistant Requirements:
- Certification from an accredited physical therapist assistant program
- Associate’s degree in physical therapy or a related field is preferred
- Previous experience with working directly with patients is preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Physical ability to lift and move patients
Physical Therapist FAQ
What tasks does a physical therapist assistant complete?
A physical therapist assistant supports a physical therapist in a variety of ways. They do office tasks like answering phones and scheduling appointments. Employees in this position also help with physical therapy sessions by observing patients and guiding them through physical exercises, among other tasks.
Can I use your physical therapist assistant job description template?
Yes, we have no problem with you using our physical therapist assistant job description template. Our only recommendation would be that you make sure that you’re still highlighting the parts of your job that make it unique.
For example, your position may include additional responsibilities or requirements that aren’t listed here. It’s important that you list these to ensure that your applicants understand the exact nature of your position before they apply for it. Doing this can also help you positively distinguish your job from others that candidates may be considering.
What should I include in my physical therapist assistant help-wanted ads?
The method that we’ve used above is the best way to organize your physical therapist assistant help-wanted ads. You should begin with a few paragraphs that talk about the job and its responsibilities This is where you should write about the aspects of the position that you believe applicants will find most appealing.
After that, you can get more specific by creating two bulleted lists. These should include the detailed responsibilities and requirements of the job, respectively. That’s all you need to include to create a compelling help-wanted ad.
