Physical Therapy Tech/Aide with Certification Exam-WIOA Approved

Course Description

A physical therapy aide is an ancillary healthcare professional who assists and works under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT). Aides help set up the treatment area, gather and organize the necessary materials and equipment, prepare the patients for the physical therapy session, assist as requested during the session, and clean and organize the materials and equipment after the session. Typically, physical therapy aides do not directly perform physical therapy but perform ancillary tasks such as preparation, transporting patients, cleaning up, maintaining equipment and supplies, and performing clerical duties. They may assist patients onto exercises equipment and into treatment pools, assist with preparing hot and cold packs, monitoring and recording data during a treatment session with the physical therapist, position patients for treatment, and so forth. Physical therapy assistants perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations.

Learning Objectives

• Clean and organize the physical therapy work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and in some instances assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
• Record patient treatment given and equipment used for patients.
• Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments during physical therapy treatments.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
• Provide customer and personal services including meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Communicate clearly with supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Describe common physical therapy injuries and treatments.
• Support physical therapists and assistants with therapy modalities and procedures.

Materials Provided

All materials are included within the course.

Measure of Performance

This course assists learners in preparing for the following certifications.

Note: Learners must pass a certification exam and in some case, document a specified amount of work experience, in order to be eligible for certification.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Certified Physical Therapy Aide (PTA) Certification

American Medical Certification Association Physical Therapy Technician Certification (PTTC)

Course Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please fill out the self-disclosure form. The Office of Disability Services coordinates services for students with disabilities. Documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any accommodations can be provided.