PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Mark Tureson MHA, PT Assistant

Objectives

Be able to define what a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is and what education is required and salaries

Be familiar with responsibilities of the PT versus the PTA versus the PT aide

Be familiar with demographics associated with the PTA profession

Be familiar with what regulates the PTA profession

Physical Therapy Assistant

Health care provider who assists the physical therapist (PT) in delivering physical therapy services Carries out delegated tasks

Regulated by the state, NOT federal Ex: Amount of supervision

The above statement is always true except when…

Medicare Speaks

Education 2-year associate

program accredited educational

institutions

Utah Provo College Salt Lake Community

College Dixie State College

Idaho Idaho State University

6796

178

280

234

110125

148

193213

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

PTAPT

Pagliarulo, Michael A. Introduction to Physical Therapy. Third Ed. Mosby: St. Louis: 2007.

Education, cont.

Prerequisites include: Human Anatomy w/ Lab Human Physiology w/ Lab Intro to Physical Therapy Medical Terminology English Composition Intermediate Algebra Human Development Communications

PT Assistants Salary See website:

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312021.htm

Range from $32,000-$71,000 ($51,000/ yr average)

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) and Home Health usually offer higher wages

Management positions pay most ($75,000/ yr average)

Responsibilities of the PT

Interpretation of referrals from doctors Initial examination, evaluation, diagnosis,

and prognosis Development/modification to the plan of

care Based upon the initial eval Includes goals and outcomes

Discharge plans/summary or status Oversight of documentation of services

rendered

Responsibilities of PT Assistant

Functional training Infection control procedures Manual therapy procedures Physical agents and mechanical agents Wound management Communication w/ Physical Therapist

Utilization of the PTA

When offsite from PT PT must be accessible by telecommunications

at all times when the PTA is treating patients PT must see the patient for a supervisory visit

Dictated by the state In Utah the PT must see the patient every 6th visit

Ex: PT = initial eval, then 5 visits by PTA, then PT must see the patient on 7th visit from initial eval

Whenever needed change in plan of care/goals

Demographics

2x as many PTAs employed in extended care facilities (nursing homes) than PTs PTAs 16% PTs 8%

35.8

15.8

15.1

12.2

6.1

5.9

2.5

2.1

1.1

0.3

0.1

2.9

0 10 20 30 40

Outpatient

SNF

Hosp Outpatient

Acute care hospital

Home care

Rehab hosp

School system

Academics

Wellness

Industry

Research

Other

percentage

Demographics

Males account for 79% of PTA’s

58% of PTA’s under 40 yrs old Most between 30-

34 yrs 010203040506070

Other

Master's

Baccalaureate

Associate

percentage

PT Aides

Different than PTA No formal education or training needed Very limited practice

Direct personal supervision must be continuous By PT or some instances the PTA