Meridian Allied Health Series

Physical Therapy Assistantand Aide

Teacher’s Guide

IntroductionThis teacher’s guide provides information to help you get the most out of Physical TherapyAssistant and Aide. The contents of this guide will allow you to prepare your students beforeusing the program and to present follow-up activities to reinforce the program’s key learningpoints.

The program informs viewers about the career choices for physical therapy assistants, physicaltherapy aides, and massage therapists, the training needed to pursue these fields, and how todetermine if this field is the right one for them.

Learning ObjectivesAfter viewing the program, students will be able to: • Understand the opportunities in the Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) career field.• Describe the general duties performed and skills required for this career.• Understand the specific career field outlook for physical therapy assistants.• Describe the certification requirements for becoming a PTA.• Discuss differences between PTAs, physical therapy aides, and massage therapists.

National Educational Standards for Physical Therapy AssistantsFederation of State Boards of Physical Therapy• Tests and Measures Groups I & II: including Strength, ROM, Posture, Body Structure,

Cognition, Reflex and Sensory Integrity, Cardiovascular/Pulmonary system, IntegumentarySystem and Functional Status

• Non Procedural Interventions• Procedural Intervention Group I: Exercise and Manual Therapy• Procedural Intervention Group II: Transfer and functional activities, gait training, assistive

and adaptive devices and modification of the environment• Procedural Intervention Group III: Physical agents and modalities• Procedural Intervention Group IV: Airway clearance techniques, wound care, promoting

health and wellness and intervention effectiveness• Standards of care

American Physical Therapy Association• This document of the American Physical Therapy Association sets forth standards for

the ethical conduct of the physical therapist assistant. All physical therapist assistants areresponsible for maintaining high standards of conduct while assisting physical therapists.The physical therapist assistant shall act in the best interest of the patient/client. These standards of conduct shall be binding on all physical therapist assistants.

• STANDARD 1: A physical therapist assistant shall respect the rights and dignity of all individuals and shall provide compassionate care.

• STANDARD 2: A physical therapist assistant shall act in a trustworthy manner towardspatients/clients.

• STANDARD 3: A physical therapist assistant shall provide selected physical therapy interven-2

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tions only under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. • S TANDARD 4: A physical therapist assistant shall comply with laws and regulations govern i n g

physical therapy.• STANDARD 5: A physical therapist assistant shall achieve and maintain competence in the

provision of selected physical therapy interventions. • STANDARD 6: A physical therapist assistant shall make judgments that are commensurate

with their educational and legal qualifications as a physical therapist assistant. • STANDARD 7: A physical therapist assistant shall protect the public and the profession from

unethical, incompetent, and illegal acts.

Program SummaryThe program provides information for high school students and young adults who are intere s t-ed in one or all of three healthcare assistant-level careers. It provides both general informationon the healthcare industry as well as some detailed information about what these jobs mightbe like, who they would appeal to, and the training needed to obtain them.

Main TopicsTopic 1: General Healthcare Industry OverviewTopics in this section include the universal need for healthcare professionals and the pride in career for those who achieve required certifications.

Topic 2: Basic Job Description and Skill SetsUnderstanding the job duties, required skills, typical work environment, and the pros andcons of the physical therapy assistant field.

Topic 3: Certification and Educational RequirementsC a reers in allied health all have certification re q u i rements, primarily dealing with education and passing an examination. The program covers the organization which issues the certifications,the main subject areas for the certification examination, any educational and work experiencere q u i rements, and more details on the examination itself.

Topic 4: Work SettingsThis section contains a review of the typical working settings for physical therapy assistantsand physical therapy aides.

Topic 5: Career Field OutlookFor each career in allied health, the program looks at the rate of expected growth, futureemployment opportunities, related jobs for consideration, some typical salary ranges, andopportunities for advancement.

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Fast Facts• “Physical Therapy Assistant” is the second-fastest-growing healthcare occupation, and jobs

are expected to increase 45% over the next 10 years.

• Physical therapy assistants and aides held about 87,000 jobs in 2002. Physical therapy assis-tants held about 50,000 jobs, physical therapy aides approximately 37,000. Both workalongside physical therapists in a variety of settings. Almost three-fourths of all jobs were inhospitals or in the offices of other healthcare practitioners (including the offices of physicaltherapists).

• As new technologies save more and more lives, the demand for physical therapy assistantswill continue to skyrocket. As the baby boom generation ages, more patients will requiretherapy for arthritis, stroke, heart disease, and other conditions common to older people.The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating condi-tions that will require the services of physical therapy personnel.

• There are also a growing number of employers that are utilizing the physical therapy com-munity to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits in aneffort to reduce injuries.

• The nation’s increasing participation in sports and fitness activities is yet another reason whymore physical therapy personnel will be needed in the years to come.

• Physical therapists treat and rehabilitate persons with physical or mental disabilities. Otherswho work in the rehabilitation field include occupational therapists, corrective therapists,recreational therapists, manual arts therapists, speech pathologists and audiologists, ortho-tists, prosthetists, respiratory therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and athletic trainers.

• The median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants in 2002 was $36,080. Salariesrange from $23,530 to more than $48,910.

Vocabulary Termsanatomy: The branch of biology that deals with the structure of plants and animals.

body mechanics: The study of the action of muscles in producing motion or posture of the body.

c e r t i f i c a t i o n : Compliance with a set of standards defined by non-governmental organizations.Certification is applied for by individuals on a voluntary basis and re p resents a professional status when achieved, e.g., certification for a medical specialty.

contraindication: A set of criteria that would indicate what types of patients a treatmentmay actually harm, so that the treatment is not used.

electrical stimulation: The state of being stimulated; the act of stimulation through an electrode or other electrical instrument.

fracture: A break or rupture in the cortex of bone. The act of breaking a bone.

gait: Pattern of walking.

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kinesiology: The branch of physiology that studies the mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement.

muscular: Pertaining to or composing muscle.

neurological: Pertaining to or composed of the nervous system.

p h y s i o l o g y : The study of how living organisms function, including such processes as nutrition,movement, and re p ro d u c t i o n .

rehabilitation facility: A place where one goes through the process of restoration of skillsafter an illness or injury so as to regain maximum self-sufficiency and function in a normal oras near normal manner as possible. For example, rehabilitation after a stroke may help thepatient walk again and speak clearly again.

shiatsu: Treatment of symptoms by applying pressure with the fingers to specific pressurepoints on the body.

skeletal: Pertaining to the skeletal system which is a support structure or a form of pro t e c t i o n .

skilled nursing facility (SNF): A licensed institution, as defined by Medicare, which is prima-rily engaged in the provision of skilled nursing care. SNFs are usually DRG or PPS exempt andare located within hospitals, but sometimes are located in rehab facilities or nursing homes.

stroke: A condition due to the lack of oxygen to the brain which may lead to reversible orirreversible paralysis.

therapeutic modalities: The application of stress, sometimes using a special machine, used inconjunction with other forms of physical therapy and exercise for healing. Modalities can bethermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical.

traction: The act of pulling on a bone or limb (as in a fracture) to relieve pressure or alignparts in a special way during healing.

Pre-Program Discussion Questions1. Have you ever considered a career in the healthcare field? If so, what types of jobs come

to mind?

2. What type of education do you think is necessary to become a physical therapy assistant?

3. What do you think a typical day for a physical therapy assistant would be like? What sortsof tasks do you think they would perform on the job?

4. What are the three most important factors you consider when thinking about a potentialcareer? How can you get more information to address those factors?

5. Do you think your personal interests (group sports, reading, computers, etc.) can translateinto professional interests? Discuss some ideas on this topic.5

Post-Program Discussion Questions1. Whose perspective from the program did you find most useful in learning about and

considering this career field? Why?

2. Was there anything that surprised you about the educational and experience requirementsfor this field? Did any seem very difficult to achieve? Did some seem not so difficult?

3. What seems most appealing to you about this career field based on the informationincluded in the program? What do you think the physical therapy assistants interviewed inthis program would say were the biggest advantages of their career?

4. Which clinical setting most appeals to you based on the information in the program?Which is the least appealing?

5. How were your impressions about daily routines for physical therapy assistants reinforcedor changed after viewing this program?

6. If this career field seems particularly interesting to you, how can you learn more about it?

Group Activities• Divide the class into pairs of students. Have each pair consider the following statement:

“I would be a good physical therapy assistant.” Each pair will discuss their ideas about this,then decide on one idea to present to the class for discussion.

• Students are to play the role of guidance counselor, providing information on the pros and cons of a career as a physical therapy assistant. They should prepare materials for agroup discussion, including hand-outs and questions to write on the board.

• B reak the class into pairs. Assigning one student to be the interviewer and one to be theinterviewee, have them conduct practice interviews for a specific job in the physical therapyassistant field. The interviewer should type up a list of questions, leaving room for re s p o n s e s .The interviewee should type a list of qualifications for this job.

Individual Student Projects• Have students take the Myers-Briggs assessment (either on paper, or online). Talk through

with each student their results and how they might influence their interest in pursuing thiscareer field or another in the program series.

• Have each student contact APTA, the leading career field association for physical therapyassistants. They should request more information about the field, and ask if it is possible todirectly contact association members or staff to discuss career choices. Students will thenmake a report on their findings, including whether or not the staff was helpful to them as a prospective member of both their association and their career field.

• Each student should take the information learned in this program and create a poster thatmight be hung in a job counselor’s or re c r u i t e r ’s office that stresses the key selling points andan appealing visual image to reflect a career as a physical therapy a s s i s t a n t .

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Internet Activities • Have students use the Internet to search for jobs as a physical therapy assistant. They

should note the variety of locations of the jobs, any salary information provided, certifica-tion requirements, and job duties. Students will then write up a report of their findings,which will also include answers to the following questions:1) Is the information found online consistent with the information provided in the pro g r a m ?2) Are there geographic variations within the job postings?3) As you browse through the listings, what appeals to you? 4) Do the listings reinforce your interest in this career, or dissuade you from considering it?5) Should a particular job’s availability influence your career choice?

• Student should search online for discussion groups, message boards, blogs, or email list-servs that pertain to being a physical therapy assistant. They should then track the opinionsand facts presented, and the issues raised, for one week. At the end of the week, they’llwrite a report of what the predominant concerns seem to be, and include an analysis ofthe percentage of positive and negative comments, the split between facts and opinions,and the ratio of practitioners with certification and without in the discussions.

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Assessment QuestionsQ1: According to the program, where does Physical Therapy Assistant rank in job

growth?a) 3rdb) 1stc) 4thd) 2nd

Q2: In a hospital or skilled nursing facility setting, a common treatment is workingwith patients on what issue?

a) gaitb) range of motionc) muscle strengthd) coordination

Q3: How many years of basic education are required to become a PTA?a) 1b) 4c) 2 d) 0

Q4: Name a useful emphasis in a high school education as preparation for a PTAcareer.

a) chemistryb) anatomy and physiologyc) mathd) PE

Q5: The high end of the salary range for massage therapists is in ________________.

Q6: One out of every _________ jobs created by 2014 in the U.S. will be in thehealthcare field.

Q7: Why is it important to graduate from a PTA program which is accredited by theAmerican Physical Therapy Association (APTA)?

Q8: Name two fields closely related to Physical Therapy Assistant discussed in thisprogram. What are the main distinguishing characteristics of these two otherfields as compared to Physical Therapy Assistants?

Q9: What did the PTAs interviewed in the program list as their favorite parts of theircareers? Of those items listed, which appeal to you the most?8

Assessment Questions Answer KeyQ1: According to the program, where does Physical Therapist Assistant rank in job

growth?A1: (d) 2nd. This second place ranking represents a 45% increase in job growth over the next

10 years.

Q2: In a hospital or skilled nursing facility setting, a common treatment is workingwith patients on what issue?

A2: (a) gait. It is more likely in a hospital or skilled nursing facility to encounter patients whohave suffered a stroke or are an accident victim who needs to focus on walking and theirgait. Treatments for range of motion and muscle strength are most likely encountered inan outpatient setting with younger patients, and coordination training is likely in a pedi -atric or outpatient setting with people with disabilities or developmental issues.

Q3: How many years of basic education is required to become a PTA?A3: (c) 2. Physical therapists need 4 to 8 years of educational requirements; PTAs need 2

years in an accredited program. Massage therapists may only need 1 year of education.

Q4: Name a useful emphasis in a high school education as preparation for a PTAcareer.

A4: (b) anatomy and physiology. Math and English requirements are no different for thiscareer than for general high school educational requirements. However, anatomy andphysiology were indicated as being very helpful. Chemistry specifically was mentioned as not being a requirement.

Q5: The high end of the salary range for massage therapists is in ________________.A5: A a chiropractor’s office, or running their own business. A spa or a hospital setting were

specifically mentioned as being on the low end of the pay scale.

Q6: One out of every _________ jobs created by 2014 in the U.S. will be in thehealthcare field.

A6: five. This explosive career field growth is attributed to the aging of the baby boom generation and their increased healthcare needs.

Q7: Why is it important to graduate from a PTA program which is accredited by theAmerican Physical Therapy Association (APTA)?

A7: Graduation from an accredited degree program is required to achieve certification.

Q8: Name two fields closely related to Physical Therapy Assistant discussed in thisprogram. What are the main distinguishing characteristics of these two otherfields as compared to Physical Therapy Assistants?

A8: Physical Therapy Aides and Massage Therapists. The duties an aide can perform are largely determined at the state level by state licensing requirements. Aides could work withpatients similar to PTAs, or they may only be able to transport and set up patients for theirtreatments. Massage therapists have a lower educational requirement and can performfewer types of treatments (with less focus on other equipment and more on the hands) butthere is still a national exam process. There are some unique settings for massage therapistsas well, such as spas, although more and more massage therapists are employed by hospi -tals as insurance companies increase their coverage of massage services.

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Q9: What did the PTAs interviewed in the program list as their favorite parts of theircareers? Of those items listed, which appeal to you the most?

A9: Answers could include all or some of these responses: being an educator to theirpatients; interested in helping others rehabilitate; many career opportunities and chancesfor advancement; different age ranges of patients; to be able to get people back to whatthey love to do.

Additional ResourcesThe Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)www.fsbpt.org

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)www.apta.org

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)www.ahima.org

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)www.himss.org

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)www.cahiim.org

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)www.aama-ntl.org

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)www.caahep.org

Medical Assistant Netwww.medicalassistant.net

Monster.com’s Healthcare Job Overviewhttp://healthcare.monster.com/articles/jobprofiles

Bureau of Labor StatisticsData on Medical Records and Health Information Technicianswww.bls.gov/oco/ocos103.htm

Bureau of Labor StatisticsData on Physical Therapist Assistants and Aideswww.bls.gov/oco/ocos167.htm

Bureau of Labor StatisticsData on Medical Assistantswww.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm

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Additional Resources at www.filmsmediagroup.comAvailable from Films Media Group • www.filmsmediagroup.com • 1-800-257-5126

Health Information Management• VHS/DVD• Preview clip online• Close captioned• Correlates to educational standards• Includes viewable/printable teacher’s guide and 15-minute bonus video• Item # 29321Compiling and retrieving up-to-date information on patients’ illnesses, injuries, and medicalhistory is more important than ever for effective medical care. This video focuses on opportu-nities in the field of healthcare information management and technology. Examples of HIM-related positions are covered—including medical billing specialist, diagnostic and proceduralcoder, and privacy officer—along with the two main types of schooling that precede a HIMcareer: an associate degree leading to work as a Registered Health Information Technician,and a baccalaureate degree required for employment as a Registered Record Administrator.Patient confidentiality is an important subject in the video. A Meridian Production.(15 minutes) © 2002.

Health Services• VHS/DVD• Preview clip online• Close captioned• Correlates to educational standards• Item # 29741This program looks at the required training, qualifications, and licensing for emergency med-ical technicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and dental hygienists. The video also pointsout the differences between a dietetic technician and a dietician as well as a licensed practicalnurse and a registered practical nurse. Health care professionals in all these positions talkabout the rewards of their chosen careers. A Cambridge Educational Production. (16 minutes)© 2002.

The Patient Care Nursing Team• VHS/DVD/Digital On Demand• Preview clip online• Close captioned• Correlates to educational standards• Includes viewable/printable teacher’s guide and 15-minute bonus video• Item # 29320Wherever people need wellness services, acute care for an illness or injury, or medical supportwhen bedridden or shut-in, nurses are standing by. This video introduces students to therewarding career of nursing, the largest healthcare profession in America. Incorporating inter-views with working nurses from a range of medical specialties, the program describes thechallenges that nurses face in a variety of work environments—including hospitals, clinics,schools, and homes—and outlines the education and licensing process that nurses must com-plete. The importance of organization, coping with stress, and the personal and emotionalbenefits of nursing are also communicated. A Meridian Production. (15 minutes) © 2002.

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Exploring Health Occupations• 2-part series• VHS/DVD/Digital On Demand• Preview clip online• Correlates to educational standards• Includes viewable/printable teacher’s guide and 15-minute bonus video• Item # 25377

This two-part series provides a detailed view of the field of medical technicians and technolo-gists, EMTs, nurses, therapists, and assistants. A Meridian Production. The series includesEMTs, Nurses, Therapists, and Assistants; Medical Technicians and Technologists. (15 minuteseach) © 2000.

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