Introduction
PTA 1, or Physical Therapy Assistants, is a key component of physical therapy care. Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of a Physical Therapist (PT) to provide care to patients in a variety of settings. PTAs are often responsible for patient treatment, patient education, and patient documentation. The purpose of this article is to review the role of PTA 1 in physical therapy care and provide references to support the discussion.
Role of PTA 1
The role of PTA 1 includes providing patient treatment, patient education, and patient documentation. During treatment, PTAs work with the PT to provide direct patient care. This includes providing therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities. In addition, PTAs are responsible for patient education and instruction on home exercise programs. Lastly, PTAs are responsible for completing patient documentation, which includes completing progress notes, assessments, and discharge summaries.
Professional Qualifications
To be a PTA 1, individuals must complete a physical therapist assistant program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) requires that all PTA 1s demonstrate competency in the following areas: patient evaluation, patient care, therapeutic exercise, modalities, medical documentation and communication. Furthermore, all PTAs must be licensed by the state in which they practice.
Conclusion
Physical therapy assistants, or PTA 1s, are a key component of physical therapy care. They are responsible for providing patient treatment, patient education, and patient documentation. To be a PTA 1, individuals must complete a CAPTE accredited physical therapist assistant program and be licensed in the state in which they practice. The APTA requires all PTAs to demonstrate competency in the areas of patient evaluation, patient care, therapeutic exercise, modalities, medical documentation and communication.
References
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). (n.d.). Physical therapist assistant. Retrieved from https://www.apta.org/PTA
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). (n.d.). About CAPTE. Retrieved from https://www.capteonline.org/about-us/