BECOMING A PHYSIOTHERAPIST ASSISTANT
Physiotherapist assistants (PTAs) in Ontario work under the direction of a physiotherapist in the provision of physiotherapy services.
PTAs work with physiotherapists to provide client-centered care to patients and are assigned tasks based on: education and training, the needs of the client and the practice environment.
Even though physiotherapist assistants are supervised by a physiotherapist, PTAs are accountable for their own performance. As a physiotherapist assistant, you must ensure that you are capable of completing tasks that are assigned to you.
Essential Competency Profile of PTAs in Canada 2021
Read the Essential Competency Profile of Physiotherapist Assistants in Canada 2012 to learn more about what you should know as a PTA.
The Profile also lists the following tasks that are not within a PTA’s scope of practice and must be completed by a physiotherapist:
Client assessment
Interpretation of findings
Determination and initiation of interventions
Profession of interventions
Re-evaluation
Discharge planning
Tools and resources for PTs working with PTAs can be found on the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario website.
PTA PROGRAMS IN ONTARIO
It is not a requirement to have a degree or diploma from a PTA program in order to practice as a physiotherapist assistant in Ontario. However, it is best practice that a physiotherapist assign tasks to PTAs based on their education, training and the overall competence of a PTA so it is often beneficial to have an educational background. Hiring organizations can also determine what credentials they prefer.
Almost all programs in Ontario offer combined physiotherapist assistant and occupational therapist assistant (OTA) education programs. Upon the completion of a PTA/OTA program, the graduate would have the skill set to provide client-centered care in both areas of work.
Accredited versus non-accredited PTA Programs
An accredited program has been approved by the Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant Accreditation Program. To be accredited, the program must have applied for the designation and wait for a period of 2-3 years while their program is evaluated.
List of all accredited and non-accredited PTA Programs
Find out more about what you need to know to be a physiotherapist assistant with this Self Assessment Readiness ToolTM for Physiotherapist Assistant (not currently available).
Where do PTAs work and what patients do they work with?
Physiotherapist assistants are needed in a wide variety of work settings. Below is a list of areas where PTAs may find employment:
Retirement Home
Private Clinic
Home Care
Hospital Emergency Department
Rehabilitation Centre
Long Term Care Home
Inpatient Acute or Critical Care
Outpatient Hospital Department
Patients can range from young children to seniors, all with a variety of conditions.
