What are the responsibilities and job description for the PRN Physical Therapy Assistant position at Northwoods Rehab?
PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT: JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Physical demand for this job is classified as “medium work” which includes:
JOB RELATIONSHIPS
Responsible to and reports to the supervising physical therapist and Director of Therapy/Rehab.
PTA job description - updated 10/1/2025
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides physical therapy services to residents under the direct supervision of the physical therapist.
2. Identifies indications for evaluations at appropriate intervals and assists in the evaluation under the
direction of the physical therapist.
3. Assists the physical therapist in identifying a target list, short-term goals, long-term goals and
treatment plan.
4. Conducts individual treatment as assigned by the physical therapist and outlined in treatment plan
that includes, but is not limited to, areas of muscle strength, coordination, mobility, sensory
awareness, sitting and standing, transfer training, balance activities, gait training, range of motion
activities and modalities.
5. Assists in the selection of physical therapy techniques/media and in the sequence of
activities, adapts techniques/media as indicated by resident performance and following consultation
with the physical therapist. No major modification to the treatment plan is made without prior
consultation with the physical therapist.
6. Monitors patient’s response to intervention and consults with physical therapist if modification is
indicated.
7. Assists in establishing and modifying individual patient schedules in conjunction with the physical
therapist and other team members.
8. Adheres to department and patient schedule and modifies as appropriate for treatment regimen.
9. Maintains acceptable patient care ratios as determined by the physical therapist.
10. Provides, recommends, and fabricates adaptive devices or other equipment. Trains
patient, family and appropriate staff in the use or application of such equipment.
11. Participates in patient, family and staff education.
12. Confers formally and informally with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation
program of the patient.
13. Adheres to Northwoods Rehab procedures regarding documentation of physical therapy services.
14. Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice and department
procedures.
15. Maintains a safe and clean work area and adheres to the community’s safety
standards, as well as complying with all Infection control, universal precautions and
OSHA standards for the healthcare professional.
16. Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the planning, implementation and
follow-up of patient therapy programs.
17. Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, supervisors, patients,
family members and community personnel and administration.
18. Reports to work on time and coordinates schedule for efficient patient treatments.
19. Assists with and participates in Quality Assurance Program as required.
20. Adheres to established confidentiality standards of the patient, as well as the organization.
21. Projects a positive and professional image at all times.
22. Maintains passwords for the software required for position and keeps all passwords secure.
PTA job description - updated 10/1/2025
23. Performs such other duties as assigned and as required to effectively discharge the responsibilities
of the position and are in the best interest of Northwoods Rehab.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Associates Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program.
- Current state licensure or license eligible
- Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development.
Physical demand for this job is classified as “medium work” which includes:
- Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally
- Exerting up to 25 pounds of force frequently
- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly
- Occasional push and pull of up to 25 pounds
- Standing frequently
- Walking frequently
- Bending frequently
- Overhead reach infrequently
- Squatting occasionally
- Kneeling occasionally
- Standing rotation occasionally
- Gripping frequently
- Sitting occasionally
- Stair climbing occasionally
- Average work day is up to 8 hours
JOB RELATIONSHIPS
Responsible to and reports to the supervising physical therapist and Director of Therapy/Rehab.
PTA job description - updated 10/1/2025
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides physical therapy services to residents under the direct supervision of the physical therapist.
2. Identifies indications for evaluations at appropriate intervals and assists in the evaluation under the
direction of the physical therapist.
3. Assists the physical therapist in identifying a target list, short-term goals, long-term goals and
treatment plan.
4. Conducts individual treatment as assigned by the physical therapist and outlined in treatment plan
that includes, but is not limited to, areas of muscle strength, coordination, mobility, sensory
awareness, sitting and standing, transfer training, balance activities, gait training, range of motion
activities and modalities.
5. Assists in the selection of physical therapy techniques/media and in the sequence of
activities, adapts techniques/media as indicated by resident performance and following consultation
with the physical therapist. No major modification to the treatment plan is made without prior
consultation with the physical therapist.
6. Monitors patient’s response to intervention and consults with physical therapist if modification is
indicated.
7. Assists in establishing and modifying individual patient schedules in conjunction with the physical
therapist and other team members.
8. Adheres to department and patient schedule and modifies as appropriate for treatment regimen.
9. Maintains acceptable patient care ratios as determined by the physical therapist.
10. Provides, recommends, and fabricates adaptive devices or other equipment. Trains
patient, family and appropriate staff in the use or application of such equipment.
11. Participates in patient, family and staff education.
12. Confers formally and informally with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation
program of the patient.
13. Adheres to Northwoods Rehab procedures regarding documentation of physical therapy services.
14. Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice and department
procedures.
15. Maintains a safe and clean work area and adheres to the community’s safety
standards, as well as complying with all Infection control, universal precautions and
OSHA standards for the healthcare professional.
16. Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the planning, implementation and
follow-up of patient therapy programs.
17. Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, supervisors, patients,
family members and community personnel and administration.
18. Reports to work on time and coordinates schedule for efficient patient treatments.
19. Assists with and participates in Quality Assurance Program as required.
20. Adheres to established confidentiality standards of the patient, as well as the organization.
21. Projects a positive and professional image at all times.
22. Maintains passwords for the software required for position and keeps all passwords secure.
PTA job description - updated 10/1/2025
23. Performs such other duties as assigned and as required to effectively discharge the responsibilities
of the position and are in the best interest of Northwoods Rehab.