What Is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Physical therapists help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses to improve movement and function.
What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?
Physical therapist assistants provide physical therapy treatments under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. As a physical therapist assistant, you may work with athletes who are recovering from a sports-related injury, an infant who is struggling to reach developmental milestones, or help a patient who is learning to walk again after back surgery.
What Will I Learn With This Training?
As a physical therapist assistant student at Pima Medical Institute, you will take
classes in specialized techniques that will help improve a patient’s mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. The program offers a large amount of hands-on experience and knowledgeable instructors have years of experience in the industry. You will learn to:
- treat patients through exercise, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic interventions as directed within the physical therapist plan of care
- observe and monitor patients before, during and after therapy, noting the patient’s status and reporting it to a physical therapist
- utilize equipment to help improve patient mobility and function with daily activities
What Career Opportunities Do Physical Therapist Assistants Have?
This is a profession where you will have direct patient care and will record their responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist. You will perform a variety of tasks, including conducting exercises with patients; performing massages, electrical stimulation and paraffin baths for patients; applying hot and cold packs; and assisting in traction and ultrasound treatment.
Physical therapist assistants blend their endless energy and passion for activity with their ability to be patient, resourceful, empathetic and tactful in order to help patients and their families understand their treatments and adjust to rehabilitation.
You’ll have opportunities to work in various places including:
- offices of physical therapists
- hospitals
- nursing care facilities
- home healthcare services
- outpatient clinics
- school system