Physical Therapist Assistant

General Purpose

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides rehabilitative care to residents under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT). The PTA implements treatment plans designed to improve mobility, strength, balance, endurance, functional independence, and overall physical performance.

Working within a skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or post-acute care setting, the PTA helps residents achieve their highest level of function while promoting safety, dignity, quality of life, and successful rehabilitation outcomes.

Responsibilities

Therapy Services

• Implement physical therapy treatment plans established by the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Provide therapeutic exercises, gait training, transfer training, balance activities, strengthening programs, and mobility interventions.
• Assist residents in improving functional mobility, endurance, coordination, posture, and safety awareness.
• Monitor resident response to therapy interventions and adjust activities based on safety, tolerance, and established treatment parameters.
• Instruct residents in the safe use of walkers, canes, wheelchairs, prosthetics, orthotics, and other assistive devices.
• Provide hands-on assistance with transfers, ambulation, positioning, and therapeutic activities as appropriate.
• Observe and report resident progress, barriers to treatment, and significant changes in condition to the supervising Physical Therapist.

Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately document treatments, daily therapy notes, progress reports, and billing information in accordance with facility and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain documentation that supports medical necessity, reimbursement requirements, and clinical outcomes.
• Communicate resident status changes, concerns, incidents, or treatment recommendations to the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Assist with discharge planning and provide documentation supporting resident progress and recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and third-party payer documentation requirements.

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings, case conferences, and rehabilitation team discussions.
• Collaborate with Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, nursing staff, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers regarding therapeutic exercises, mobility techniques, safety precautions, and discharge recommendations.
• Communicate therapy goals, treatment progress, and recommendations clearly and professionally to residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Support resident-centered care by promoting engagement, motivation, and active participation in therapy programs.

Compliance & Safety

• Provide therapy services in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and professional practice standards.
• Maintain compliance with Medicare, Medicaid, PDPM, managed care, and rehabilitation reimbursement requirements.
• Follow all HIPAA, infection prevention, workplace safety, and resident rights policies.
• Maintain therapy equipment in a clean, safe, and functional condition.
• Report equipment concerns, safety issues, resident incidents, and changes in condition promptly.
• Promote a safe therapeutic environment for residents, staff, and visitors.

Professional Development & Quality Improvement

• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities to maintain clinical competency.
• Remain current with evidence-based rehabilitation practices, treatment techniques, and regulatory requirements.
• Support departmental quality improvement initiatives and rehabilitation program goals.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and facility performance improvement activities.

Qualifications

• Regular and reliable attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
• Current state licensure, registration, or certification as a Physical Therapist Assistant, as required by state law.
• Experience in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, post-acute care, long-term care, or related healthcare settings preferred.
• Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, PDPM, managed care, and third-party payer documentation requirements.
• Strong understanding of physical therapy principles, treatment techniques, rehabilitation practices, and restorative care concepts.
• Ability to accurately implement treatment plans and provide individualized resident-centered care.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, customer service, and teamwork skills.
• Competence in clinical documentation and electronic medical record systems.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with residents, families, healthcare providers, and interdisciplinary care teams.
• Commitment to resident safety, quality outcomes, and evidence-based rehabilitation practices.
• Current CPR certification preferred or as required by state regulations or facility policy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Facility-based work performed in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, post-acute, and long-term care environments.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, lifting, transferring, and assisting residents during therapy sessions.
• Ability to manage multiple residents and prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform therapeutic interventions and operate rehabilitation equipment.
• Exposure to resident care-related conditions requiring adherence to infection prevention and safety protocols.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to assess resident performance, review documentation, and communicate effectively.
• Must be able to lift, transfer, push, pull, or support up to 75 pounds, with or without assistance, as required to safely perform therapy interventions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Direct resident-facing work performed in resident rooms, therapy gyms, treatment areas, and common spaces.
• Frequent interaction with residents, families, therapy personnel, nursing staff, physicians, and interdisciplinary care team members.
• Occasional exposure to bodily fluids, infectious materials, and medical equipment during resident care activities.
• Work may involve extended periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, transferring, and guiding residents during therapy sessions.
• Environment requires adherence to infection prevention standards, safety protocols, and proper use of therapy equipment.
• Collaborative, fast-paced rehabilitation setting focused on maximizing resident mobility, function, independence, and quality of life.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.