The physical therapist assistant works with and under the direction of the physical therapist in a wide variety of health care settings including hospitals, private offices, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, fitness centers, and home care settings. A patient care program is planned by the physical therapist and carried out jointly with the physical therapist assistant. The field of Physical Therapy is demanding. Graduates are required to meet all program requirements, which are guided by the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Many states require that students sit for the national licensing examination.
It is the philosophy of the College and the American Physical Therapy Association to provide reasonable accomodations to students with disabling conditions in order to meet the program requirements. The physical therapist assistant also monitors the patient's responses to treatment, documents relevant aspects of patient care, and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist, as well as other health care professionals. Successful physical therapist assistants demonstrate compassion for others, excellent organizational skills, and are able to maintain a professional rapport with patients and fellow health care workers. Written and oral communication skills are essential. Skills are learned in the Physical Therapist Assistant program must continue to be developed after graduation through continuing education courses, mentoring from peers, reading of professional literature, in-service training, etc.