Your Glimpse – A Day in the Life of a Physiotherapist Assistant

From managing pain after enduring an illness or injury to regaining movement and taking health and well-being to new levels, patients depend on the life-altering skills and compassion of a physical therapy assistant. Whether you’re in a physio course or exploring how to be a physiotherapist assistant (PA), and precisely what that entails, you’ve come to the right place.

As a PA you will be working with individuals and their families under the direction of a registered physiotherapist (PT). While they’ll take the lead, you play a pivotal role providing rehabilitative services to those with various physical illness or developmental impairments. Your overall responsibilities may shift depending on your patient population and place of work, but there are certain tasks and responsibilities you will likely face across the board.

To ensure you can make an informed decision about your career future, before you embark on a physiotherapy assistant program or physical therapy courses, here is a glimpse into what you can expect as a PTA day to day.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Physiotherapist Assistant

1. Setting the Tone

Physical therapy clinics can have a full roster of patients scheduled for care throughout the day. To ensure you stay on task and on time, it is ideal to get into the office a little early and survey what’s ahead. Review the appointment schedule, patient files and your plan for each. This will have you feeling organized and ready to give your full attention to each person in need of your care, prepped to communicate essential details to your PT lead, and keep your team on target to avoid those waiting room backlogs.

2. Prepping for the Patient

To assist with mobility and avoid any further injury, a quick and gentle warm up allows the patient to stretch and adjust before their main session begins. This also allows you to build rapport and trust with your patient as you talk them through, and they relax into the experience ahead you have planned for them.

3. Hands-On or Hands-Off Therapy and Self Care

The majority of your day will be spent working directly with patients, guiding them through their prescribed exercises. This may include verbally cuing them as they take on the exercises themselves or providing hands-on support.

Not only you will prepare the patient to meet with the physical therapist, but you will carry out elements of the treatment plan for each patient. From stretching to heat and cold therapy, you will provide the care that allows for restoration of movement, loosens stiff areas, minimizes inflammation and promotes healing.

You will demonstrate exercises, supervise the performance of each exercise to ensure the patient is performing them correctly and safely. And when required, you will help patients learn to use adaptive equipment.

Much of your day will be spent standing, lifting, walking and being physically active, so it is essential for you to maintain your own stamina by resting when needed and engaging in self care, on and off the job, so that you can sustain this career for years to come.

4. Evaluate and Document

Accurate and comprehensive recording is essential to keep healthcare outcomes top of mind and treatment plans relevant. You will evaluate each patient, asking them questions about their health and well-being, and testing their mobility and strength, recording their progress from appointment to appointment and any challenges they are encountering. Regular communication and keeping detailed notes, allows your PT to follow a patient’s development and you and your team to adjust care plans as needed.

5. Education to Promote Ongoing Healing

It is typical that, even in the most severe cases, patients only engage in a few hours of direct physical therapy per month. As such, patients need to engage in treatments at home and continue their exercises. An essential part of your job, in tandem with your PT, is patient education, ensuring they understand the exercises and recovery routines to promote optimal healing and that they know how to operate any equipment they need.

6. Office Care and Clerical Tasks

In addition to the work you will do in your official PTA role, you will likely engage in caring for the office, wiping down equipment, sanitizing and organizing, washing linens and even assisting in scheduling appointments or conducting patient follow up. This is all part of being a member of a team and creating a clean and welcoming environment patients love to visit.
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The day of a PTA is filled with patient engagement, healthcare team interactions, interesting cases and strategies for care and finding that keen balance between caring for others and self. If you are looking for a highly rewarding career, where you can make a difference every single day, this may just be for you.

If you are exploring physiotherapy courses in Ontario or even occupational therapy assistant programs, we’re here to help. You can take the “Anderson College Medical Professional Career Discovery Quiz” to find your best program fit, or when you’re ready to start your Physiotherapist & Occupational Therapist Assistant career connect with us. Book a virtual appointment with an Admissions Advisor today and let us help you navigate the steps to achieve your healthcare career goals.

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Physiotherapist & Occupational Therapist Assistant Course & Program (andersoncollege.com)
• Specifics on Anderson’s PTA/OTA Program for Students – an Expert Interview
• Essential Skills Required to Thrive as a Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist Assistant
• Powerful Benefits of Physical Therapy – 10 Conditions It Can Treat