Physical Therapy Aide

A physical therapy aide is an ancillary healthcare professional who assists and works under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT). Aides help set up the treatment area, gather and organize the necessary materials and equipment, prepare the patients for the physical therapy session, assist as requested during the session, and clean and organize the materials and equipment after the session. Typically, physical therapy aides do not directly perform physical therapy but perform ancillary tasks such as preparation, transporting patients, cleaning up, maintaining equipment and supplies, and performing clerical duties. They may assist patients onto exercises equipment and into treatment pools, assist with preparing hot and cold packs, monitoring and recording data during a treatment session with the physical therapist, position patients for treatment, and so forth. Physical therapy assistants perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations.

Program Objectives

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Clean and organize the physical therapy work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and in some instances assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
• Record patient treatment given and equipment used for patients.
• Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments during physical therapy treatments.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
• Provide customer and personal services including meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Communicate clearly with supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Describe common physical therapy injuries and treatments.
• Support physical therapists and assistants with therapy modalities and procedures. 

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

American Medical Certification Association Physical Therapy Technician Certification (PTTC)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.