Job description Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) near Edmonton (AB)

Find out what work is like for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 32109).

Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

Description

Other technical workers in therapy and assessment perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may assist professionals such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, community health centres, educational institutions, hearing aid retail stores, in the private practices of the professionals they assist, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Hearing instrument practitioners
  • Examine adult clients to assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluation and electro acoustic testing
  • Recommend and dispense or sell appropriate type of hearing instrument
  • Take earmold impressions for use in the manufacture of hearing devices
  • Fit, adjust and make minor modifications to hearing instruments
  • Educate clients in appropriate use, care and maintenance of hearing instruments
  • Communicate with audiologist or other health care professionals regarding patients' condition
  • Perform follow-up examinations and readjustments.
  • Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants
  • Assist speech-language pathologists and audiologists during assessment of patients
  • Carry out treatment programs, document results and develop materials for use with patients, under the supervision of speech-language pathologists or audiologists
  • Document patient rehabilitation progress
  • Check and maintain therapeutic equipment and materials.
  • Ophthalmic medical technologists and technicians
  • Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history
  • Conduct specialized testing such as refractometry, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography or ocular motility testing to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision
  • Instruct patient on diagnostic test and record, interpret and troubleshoot results
  • Assist ophthalmologists in performing ophthalmic procedures, and surgeries
  • Prepare specimens for culture and staining
  • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications as directed by ophthalmologists
  • Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment
  • May instruct and supervise other ophthalmic staff and perform various administrative duties
  • May participate in research activities.
  • Physical rehabilitation therapists
  • Collect and analyse information from clients' file upon referral from the physiotherapist or physician
  • Develop, implement and monitor treatment plans of clients in collaboration with the physiotherapist or physician
  • Use a variety of therapeutic modalities such as manual techniques (e.g. massage), exercises, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and thermotherapy (ice or heat) to achieve treatment objectives
  • Advise clients on postures, lifestyle and exercises to help them improve their physical condition.
  • Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants
  • Under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, carry out treatment programs such as thermotherapy, traction, hydrotherapy and electrotherapeutic techniques to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities to maximize their ability to independently manage daily activities.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 32109), and a list of similar occupations:

  • audiology technician
  • communicative disorders assistant
  • hearing instrument practitioner
  • occupational therapy assistant
  • ophthalmic technician
  • ophthalmic technologist
  • physiotherapy technician
  • rehabilitation assistant
  • speech aide
  • speech technician
  • speech therapy assistant

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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