Overview

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) perform components of physical therapy procedures and related tasks, as directed by a supervising physical therapist (PT). PTAs help patients who have movement difficulties due to injury or disease, by assisting the PT with therapies designed to improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disability. Patients may include accident victims and individuals with short- and long-term disabling conditions, such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, heart disease, and cerebral palsy.

To learn more about this career, watch the video profile of "Physical Therapist Assistants."

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Physical Therapist Assistant Physical Therapist Assistant 05 Oct 2010 [pdf, 141 KB]

Working Conditions

Most PTAs work Monday through Friday, although work hours may vary, depending on the facility and your employment status. For example, many outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours, to accommodate patients' schedules.

This job can be physically demanding, because PTAs often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods of time. In addition, Physical Therapist Assistants may be required to move heavy equipment and lift patients or help them to turn, stand, or walk.