Physical Therapist Assistant Job Descriptions

Create your own Physical Therapist Assistant job description, or find job description examples you can re-use to hire faster.

Physical Therapist Assistant Job Description

Physical therapist assistants are healthcare workers who support physical therapists while they help patients recover physical function after surgeries or accidents. They often do so by working directly with patients. For example, a physical therapist assistant may be asked to observe patients before, during, and after care to assess any changes. They may also be tasked with helping patients complete specific exercises that have been prescribed to them by the physical therapist.

Other physical therapist assistant tasks are clerical in nature. For example, an employee in this role may be asked to clean and set up a treatment area for use by a new patient. They may also handle tasks like answering the phone and scheduling needs appointments. An individual may need an associate’s degree and special certification to qualify for this job.

Physical Therapist Assistant Job Description Template

We are looking to add a skilled physical therapist assistant to our team. In this role, it will be your responsibility to support the physical therapist by working directly with patients. You may be asked to observe patients and note their changes. You may also spend time guiding patients through physical exercises that have been prescribed by the physical therapist.

Some of the duties for this role are also clerical. For example, you will help us schedule appointments for patients and answer phone calls. You will also prepare treatment rooms between patients by cleaning and sanitizing them.

To do well in this role, you should have some familiarity with the work that physical therapists do. You should also have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with limited supervision.

Physical Therapist Assistant Responsibilities:

  • Answer phone calls
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Guide patients through physical exercises
  • Sanitize rooms and equipment between patients
  • Observe patients during their physical therapy sessions
  • Perform other clerical tasks as needed

Physical Therapist Assistant Requirements:

  • Certification from an accredited physical therapist assistant program
  • Associate’s degree in physical therapy or a related field is preferred
  • Previous experience with working directly with patients is preferred
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Physical ability to lift and move patients

Physical Therapist FAQ

What tasks does a physical therapist assistant complete?

A physical therapist assistant supports a physical therapist in a variety of ways. They do office tasks like answering phones and scheduling appointments. Employees in this position also help with physical therapy sessions by observing patients and guiding them through physical exercises, among other tasks.

Can I use your physical therapist assistant job description template?

Yes, we have no problem with you using our physical therapist assistant job description template. Our only recommendation would be that you make sure that you’re still highlighting the parts of your job that make it unique.

For example, your position may include additional responsibilities or requirements that aren’t listed here. It’s important that you list these to ensure that your applicants understand the exact nature of your position before they apply for it. Doing this can also help you positively distinguish your job from others that candidates may be considering.

What should I include in my physical therapist assistant help-wanted ads?

The method that we’ve used above is the best way to organize your physical therapist assistant help-wanted ads. You should begin with a few paragraphs that talk about the job and its responsibilities  This is where you should write about the aspects of the position that you believe applicants will find most appealing.

After that, you can get more specific by creating two bulleted lists. These should include the detailed responsibilities and requirements of the job, respectively. That’s all you need to include to create a compelling help-wanted ad.

Frequently Asked Questions about hiring a Physical Therapist Assistant

What is the best way to find and hire a Physical Therapist Assistant near me?
Online job boards are the best place to find qualified Physical Therapist Assistant applicants. Employers posting their Physical Therapist Assistant job on Indeed get about 13 applications from that board on average.
Which job boards should I post on to find Physical Therapist Assistant applicants?
You should post to multiple job boards at once. The most successful job postings for a Physical Therapist Assistant are on Indeed – but on average, employers post to 12 boards at the same time, using tools like Workstream. Publishing to multiple job boards at once helps you get your first applicant in 19 hours on average, which is shorter than the national average for Physical Therapist Assistant positions.
What's the best way to communicate with applicants looking for a Physical Therapist Assistant role?
SMS has 83% open rates which is higher than phone call or Email. Text to hire today!
Is it OK to text Physical Therapist Assistant job applicants?
Hourly paid workers, such as Physical Therapist Assistants are actually more engaged when texting about jobs. We have found that text messages are 107% better than email at getting an applicant's response. Have a look at Workstream, which automates the process of texting and uses a phone number specifically assigned to your job post so you don’t have to use your personal phone.
Can I use a different phone number to engage Physical Therapist Assistant applicants via text message?
Yes, tools such as Workstream provide custom phone numbers that allow employers to engage with applicants through their tool without having to use a personal or business cell phone.

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