The Role of Physiotherapist Assistants in the Therapeutic Setting

What is a Physiotherapist Assistant? 

A Physiotherapist Assistant (PTA) is a healthcare professional that has formal training at an Accredited College or has received on the job training. PTA’s work under the direction of a licensed physiotherapist in the provision of physiotherapy services (Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 2017) (1) The role of the PTA is to assist the physiotherapist in ensuring that physiotherapy services are delivered in a safe, effective and efficient manner. PTAs help provide physiotherapy services that achieve and maintain optimal client outcomes.(2) At this time PTA’s are not registered healthcare professionals and the title of “Physiotherapist Assistant” is not a restricted title. 

What does a Physiotherapist Assistant do?

PTA’s are able to carry out treatment plans delegated by licensed physiotherapists that fall within their scope of practice and competency. PTA’s are formally trained in: 

• Modality Application (Hot packs, Cold packs, Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (TENS), Interferential Current (IFC), Laser Therapy, Therapeutic Ultrasound and Proprioceptive Taping
• Performing passive range of motion (PROM) stretching
• Demonstrate and provide feedback for exercises prescribed by a licensed physiotherapist
• Document treatments and communicate with physiotherapists regarding patient care ​

Are there restrictions for Physiotherapist Assistants? 

PTA’s are not able to prescribe any treatment outside of the treatment plan set out by their licensed physiotherapist to ensure public safety and proper care of patients. There are also specific controlled acts that physiotherapists are trained to use during the course of treatment that PTAs are unable to have delegated to them. 

Some of the controlled acts are:

• Acupuncture
• Communicating a diagnosis
• ​Spinal manipulation
•  Internal assessment or internal rehabilitation of pelvic musculature 

 
(College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, June 2017) (3 

Summary

At ISM Rehab we employ PTA’s that have formal training to assist us in the treatment of our patients. As part of the orientation process we ensure that our PTA’s adhere to the college standards that govern us with the highest quality of care and patient safety in mind. Currently, our PTA’s work with the physiotherapists in order to provide a 1-to-1 patient to practitioner ratio in each appointment. This allows us to spend more quality time treating all of our patients, ensure proper form during exercises and increased hands-on treatment compared to other types of scheduling. Our PTA’s are very friendly, qualified, knowledgeable and passionate for providing the best quality care as part of our physiotherapy team. 

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References:
(1) Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Becoming a PT or PTA, 2017 (https://physiotherapy.ca/becoming-pt-or-pta ) 

(2 ) Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapist Assistants in Canada, 2012 

(3) College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: Controlled Acts and Other Restricted Activity Standards, 2016 (https://www.collegept.org/rules-and-regulations/controlled-acts-and-other-restricted-activities-standard) ​

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Written by: Stephen Horvath, PTA, ISM Rehab 

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