Job Description

A Physical Therapist Assistant is a "technically educated individual who assists the physical therapist in the provision of selected physical therapist interventions. Physical therapist assistants, under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist, are the only individuals who assist a physical therapist in the provision of selected interventions."

Like the physical therapist scope of practice which is outlined by the APTA in the reference above the PTA’s “scope of practice is influenced by professional jurisdictional and personal scopes of practice.”

“The professional scope of practice consists of patient and client management” under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist “to optimize physical function, movement, performance, health, quality of life, and well-being across the lifespan. In addition, the professional scope of practice includes contributions to public health services aimed at improving population health and the human experience.”

The jurisdictional scope of physical therapist assistant “practice is established by the practice act governing the specific” physical therapist assistant’s “license and the rules adopted pursuant to that act.”

The personal scope of physical therapist assistant’s “practice consists of activities for which an individual” physical therapist assistant “is educated, trained, and is competent to perform” under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

Reference: American Physical Therapy Association
Guide to Physical Therapist Practice 3.0

Reference: American Physical therapy Association
PHYSICAL THERAPIST’S SCOPE OF PRACTICE HOD P06-17-09-16/HOD P06-17-08-07 Last Updated 9/13/17

Education:

Associate degree in physical therapy is required.

Experience:

One year of physical therapy experience is preferred.

Certification/Licensure:

Licensed as a Physical Therapy Assistant by the Virginia Department of Health Professions required.

BLS certification required.