Physical Therapy Assistant How to Hire, Salary Data, and Job Descriptions

Sample job description #1

ABC Company is a multi-faceted and also a forward-thinking company that always looks for future business growth opportunities that provide our patients with the best and most innovative healthcare. We are currently looking for a Physical Therapy Assistant to add to our growing business FirstPT.

Physical therapy assistant job description:

• Promotes and maintains health by providing physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist
• Contributes to a physical therapist’s effectiveness by identifying patient care issues
• Assesses patient health by interviewing patients, performing physical examinations, and obtaining updating, and studying therapy histories
• Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records
• Performs therapeutic procedures by administering manual exercises and instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities
• Instructs and counsels patients by describing therapeutic regimens, giving normal growth and development information, and promoting wellness and health maintenance
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations, and adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
• Maintains production objectives by noting current treatment trends and monitoring actual physical therapy services rendered to production objectives.
• Enhances physical therapy reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests and exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments

Requirements:

• Associate degree for Physical Therapy Assistant (New graduates encouraged to apply)
• Have or in process of obtaining (State) PTA Licensure

Sample job description #2

ABC Company is seeking a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to work in a school setting under the general supervision of the Registered Physical Therapist or Licensed Physical Therapist (RPT/LPT). They are assigned duties, which assist in the patient’s care for physical therapy needs.

Responsibilities:

• Provides skilled physical therapy services/interventions in accordance with physician orders under the supervision of a Registered Physical Therapist
• Responds to requests for service by relaying information and referral to Registered Physical Therapist
• Implements and modifies the patient’s physical therapy plan of treatment with RPT supervision
• Monitors patient responses to treatments and modifies it during treatment sessions as necessary
• Other Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Graduate from an approved Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) school and holds a current Physical Therapist Assistant License for the state in which they practice
• Function with a minimum of 35% of RPT supervision
• Current health certificate
• Current PPD or Chest X-Ray
• Current CPR card
• Successful completion of screening test with a score of 80% or greater

Sample job description #3

Job summary and qualifications

As a Physical Therapy Assistant, you would be responsible for providing a full range of physical therapy services including therapeutic interventions in our team environment. You would also demonstrate accountability for and contribution to program development, quality improvement, problem-solving, and productivity enhancement.

• You will communicate with the primary physical therapist and other members of the medical team regarding patient’s progress, needs, and discharge planning
• Treat patients according to plan using conventional treatments methods using therapeutic modalities, while also applying critical thinking skills and potential alternatives to recommend to primary physical therapist
• You will apply oxygen if needed per physician’s order. Initiate and document patient teaching including family and/or significant others

Requirements

• Associates Degree from an accredited program
• State Licensure as Physical Therapist Assistant
• Experience in an acute care hospital preferred
• Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date

Sample interview questions

• What are the roles of a physical therapist assistant?
• Would you be comfortable treating a patient in their home?
• Do you have experience working with geriatric patients?
• What types of patients have you treated?
• How do you motivate patients?
• What case management software are you familiar with?
• What kind of equipment do you have experience working with?
• What clinical settings have you worked in? 
• How do you ensure compliance with laws, regulations, industry policies, and company protocols?
• Describe your approach when meeting new patients.
• How do you approach patients and families with expectations and status updates?
• How do you track and measure a patient’s progress?
• What would you do if a patient wanted to stop working with you?
• Have you worked with patients suffering from dementia or other mental disorders?
• What is your greatest achievement as a PTA?
• How do you deal with difficult cases?