⚠ DRAFT — readiness only; scope varies by state · not a substitute for a CAPTE program or the NPTE-PTA
0 Coins
💧 0 Drops
📊 0% complete
K
Coach Katie
A Physical Therapist Assistant is a licensed clinician — but you work under the direction of a physical therapist. The PT evaluates and writes the plan of care; you carry it out, progress the patient within it, and report back. Knowing your lane keeps patients safe and keeps you inside your license.
Scope callout: The PTA is a licensed role requiring a CAPTE-accredited associate degree and the NPTE-PTA licensure exam. This module is readiness that feeds a college partner's associate program — not exam prep, and not a substitute for an accredited PTA program or supervised clinical hours.
Who does what
The PT evaluates; the PTA carries out
The clearest way to stay in your lane is to know which decisions belong to the PT and which belong to you. The PT owns the evaluation and the plan of care. The PTA delivers the interventions in that plan and reports the patient's response back.
🧑⚕️ The PT (only the PT)
Evaluates & re-evaluates, diagnoses, writes and changes the plan of care, sets goals, and performs any task a state reserves for the PT.
🤝 The PTA (under the PT)
Carries out the plan, progresses the patient within it, gathers data, gives feedback, and reports back to the PT.
The PTA does NOT evaluate, diagnose, write or alter the plan of care, or perform tasks a state reserves for the PT. When something is outside the plan, that's a PT decision — not yours.
Supervision & delegation
You always work under a PT's direction
The PTA practices under the supervision of a physical therapist. The PT decides what may be delegated — a PTA is assigned interventions that match their training and the patient's needs. The exact supervision rules (how available the PT must be, what can be delegated) vary by state and setting, so always know the law where you practice.
Delegation flows down
The PT delegates suitable tasks to the PTA; the PTA does not delegate the PT's decisions back to themselves.
Stay within the plan
Progress the patient within the parameters the PT wrote — don't add or change interventions on your own.
Know your state
Supervision level and what's delegable differ by state and practice act. Check your rules.
Report back
Communicate the patient's response and any changes to the PT so the plan can be adjusted.
Documentation
Objective, timely, accurate notes
Your note is a legal record and a communication tool. Document what you did and how the patient responded — objectively, accurately, and while it's still fresh. Good documentation is how the PT knows whether to progress, hold, or change the plan.
Objective & accurate: what you actually did and observed — measurements, response, not opinions.
Timely: document promptly so the record is reliable.
Communicate changes: flag anything new or different to the PT, don't just bury it in a note.
Confidentiality / HIPAA: protected health information stays protected — share only with the care team, only what's needed.
Consent & dignity: confirm the patient understands and agrees to treatment; protect their privacy and dignity throughout.
The most important skill
When to stop and consult the PT
Part of staying in your lane is recognizing when a situation is no longer yours to manage. If the patient changes in a way the plan didn't anticipate, stop as appropriate, keep the patient safe, and contact the PT before continuing.
Stop and call the PT when you see: new or worsening pain, an adverse response to treatment, or any change in the patient's status. Then document what happened and what you did. Changing the plan yourself is out of scope — reporting back is exactly your job.
K
Coach Katie
Two moments on the treatment floor. Pick the response that stays in your lane, keeps the patient safe, and loops in the PT.
K
Coach Katie
Five questions. 75% to pass, then make your pledge.
K
Coach Katie
Learning sticks when you commit to a next step. Pick at least two pledges you'll actually do.
0 Coins