physiotherapist assistant (PTA)

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Administer tests using equipment, instruct patients on test procedures and record results, and monitor, check and calibrate auditory equipment
• Assess patients' physical abilities
• Assist during assessment of patients and carry out treatment programs and develop materials for use with patients
• Assist health care professionals
• Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities
• Examine adult clients to assess hearing loss, recommend type of hearing instrument, take earmold impressions and perform follow-up examinations and readjustments
• Operate ophthalmic testing and measuring instruments, record test results and administer eye drops, ointments and medications as directed by ophthalmologists
• Position patients for treatments by chiropractor or machine
• Set up and dismantle equipment
• Supervise technical and support staff
• Administer evaluative tests and procedures
• Apply and adjust casts, splints and bandages
• Clean and maintain equipment
• Compound, package and label pharmaceutical products
• Hire and train staff
• Lay out surgical instruments
• Prepare and maintain equipment and supplies
• Reassemble equipment and assemble packs of sterile supplies and instruments for delivery to hospital departments
• Record information about donors
• Record vital signs
• Assist chiropractor with patient health education
• Clean and dress wounds
• Label and process donated blood
• Maintain prescription records and inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products
• Operate and maintain sterilization equipment and instrumentation for re-use according to standardized safety practices
• Order and purchase equipment
• Plan physiotherapy programs
• Prepare solutions for preservation of specimens
• Administer budget
• Process claims such as health insurance or workers compensation
• Provide post donation care and donor reaction care
• Remove casts, sutures and pins
• Remove organs and tissue specimens from bodies in morgue as directed by pathologist
• Select appropriate exercises, apparatus and manipulations
• Clean and sew up bodies for release to funeral homes
• Collect statistics
• Maintain clinical and progress reports
• Maintain supplies
• Confer with other health professionals
• Connect treatment machines to patients, as directed by chiropractor
• Maintain inventory of equipment
• Monitor donors throughout procedure under supervision of a registered nurse
• Assist chiropractor with physical examinations
• Conduct research in physiotherapy
• Document patient rehabilitation progress
• Perform general clerical duties
• Perform various administrative functions
• Prepare and maintain cleanliness of collection areas
• Schedule and confirm appointments
• Take earmold impressions and fit and adjust hearing instruments
• Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history
• Manage routine office functions including reception, telephone and booking appointments
• Teach and/or supervise exercises to patients
• Order supplies and equipment
• Organize and maintain inventory

Additional information

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Physically demanding
• Work under pressure
• Repetitive tasks

Personal suitability

• Punctuality
• Client focus
• Judgement
• Flexibility
• Organized
• Reliability