The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a technically educated health provider who assists the physical therapist (PT) in the provision of physical therapy and may perform physical therapy interventions selected by the supervising PT. The PTA works under the direction and supervision of the PT, helping manage conditions such as back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, birth defects, injuries related to work and sports, and others.

PTA’s work in a broad range of settings. Employment opportunities for PTA’s are located in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing, sub acute, and long-term care facilities, home health agencies, schools, hospice, industrial health clinics, community health centers, fitness centers and sports training facilities, and colleges and universities.

The need for PTA’s continues to grow. The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics states “Employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average through the year 2012.” Over the long run the demand for PTA’s will continue to raise due to the number of individuals with disabilities, the rapid growing elderly population, and the large baby boom generation entering prime age for needing increased health care. America’s CAREERInfoNET lists PTA as one of the 25 fastest growing occupations.