The Physical Therapy Technician and What They Do

Even the best physical therapists can only care for a limited number of patients per day. If you want to grow your practice, it’s a good idea to consider hiring a physical therapy technician to assist you.

Physical therapy technicians play pivotal supporting role in clinics and other healthcare environments. They can help you serve more patients and reduce your workload, so you have more time to focus on higher-level patient care and business concerns.

Keep reading to learn more about physical therapy techs and how to collaborate with them for the benefit of your patients and your business.

4 Things to Know About Physical Therapy Technicians

1. Role

A physical therapy technician (PT tech for short) is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. PT techs assist in providing patient care and performing various tasks to support the overall delivery of physical therapy services.

2. Responsibilities

Physical therapy technicians play a crucial role in supporting the work of physical therapists across three main areas: patient care, clinical support, and administrative tasks.

For patient care, PT techs help with:

• Assisting with therapy. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, technicians help patients with exercises, mobility training, and other therapeutic interventions.
• Monitoring patient progress. Observing patients during therapy sessions and documenting their response to treatment.
• Providing patient education. Explaining exercises, home care instructions, and other relevant information to patients.

For clinical support, PT techs help with:

• Preparing treatment areas. Setting up equipment, supplies, and treatment rooms for therapy sessions.
• Cleaning and maintaining equipment. Ensuring that equipment is clean, sanitized, and in good working order.
• Ordering supplies. Stocking supplies and ordering additional items as needed.

For administrative tasks, PT techs help with:

• Scheduling appointments. Coordinating patient appointments and managing schedules.
• Maintaining patient records. Updating patient charts with progress notes, treatment plans, and other relevant information.
• Handling insurance paperwork. Assisting with insurance claims and billing processes.

3. Benefits

Having physical therapy technicians on a healthcare team offers benefits such as:

• Better time management. Technicians can handle administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and managing patient records, freeing up you up to focus on direct patient care.
• More streamlined workflows. Technicians can assist with setting up treatment areas, cleaning equipment, and other support tasks, optimizing the workflow in the clinic.
• Increased one-on-one time with patients. With technicians handling administrative tasks, you can spend more quality time with patients, providing personalized attention and addressing their specific needs.
• Improved patient experience. Technicians can help create a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, making their therapy experience more comfortable and positive.
• Reduced labor costs. Technicians, who generally have lower salary requirements than physical therapists and PTAs, can help reduce overall labor costs.
• Increased revenue potential. By increasing efficiency and patient capacity, technicians can contribute to increased revenue for the practice.

4. Profession Comparison

Those newer to the physical therapy industry may be confused about the roles of physical therapist technicians when compared to physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy aides. These jobs differ in a number of ways.

In general, physical therapists have the highest level of education and the broadest scope of practice, while technicians and aides primarily provide support and administrative services. PTAs work under the supervision of physical therapists to provide direct patient care.

For a more detailed breakdown, review the following comparison table.

Position	Education	Scope of Practice
Physical Therapist	Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)	Plans, implements, and supervises physical therapy treatment for patients. Diagnoses conditions, prescribes interventions, and evaluates progress.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)	Associates degree from accredited PTA program	Works under the supervision of a PT to provide direct patient care. Develops and implements treatment plans, administers interventions, and educates patients.
Physical Therapist Technician (or Aide)	High school diploma or equivalent	Primarily focused on administrative and support tasks. May assist with basic patient care under PT or PTA supervision.

5 Tips for Hiring and Training a Physical Therapy Technician

1. Look for Essential Qualifications and Skills

PT tech candidates should have some educational achievements, such as:

• High school diploma or GED. A minimum educational requirement that demonstrates basic academic skills.
• Certification (if applicable). Some states may require certification for physical therapy technicians.
• CPR and first aid certification. Certification is essential for responding to emergencies in any healthcare setting, especially a physical therapy clinic or office where patients are participating in physical activities.

Candidates should also have:

• Strong communication skills to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
• Interpersonal skills. A positive and empathetic demeanor helps to build rapport with patients.
• Attention to detail. Meticulous attention to detail means more accurate documentation and task completion.
• Basic computer skills, including proficiency in using electronic health records and other computer software.
• Physical stamina. In a PT clinic, the ability to stand for long periods, lift patients, and perform physically demanding tasks is important.
• Problem-solving skills, like the ability to think critically and find solutions to challenges.
• Teamwork to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals.
• Time management, which helps to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently.

In addition, you may consider prioritize candidates if they have:

• Previous healthcare experience. Experience working in a healthcare setting can be beneficial in quickly getting up to speed on the job.
• Knowledge of medical terminology. Understanding medical terminology can improve communication and documentation.
• Basic understanding of anatomy and physiology. A foundational knowledge of human anatomy and physiology can aid in understanding treatment plans.

2. Interview Technicians Carefully

Once you’ve narrowed down your pool of candidates to the few you want to interview, compile a list of questions you want to ask every candidate to ensure you have a solid basis for comparison.

For judging experience and skills, consider asking the following questions.

• Previous experience: Can you describe your previous experience working in a healthcare setting, particularly in physical therapy?
• Clinical skills: What clinical skills do you possess, such as assisting with exercises, applying modalities, or patient transfers?
• Administrative skills: Are you comfortable with administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling insurance paperwork?
• Problem-solving: Can you describe a time when you had to solve a problem or handle a difficult situation in a previous job?

For assessing interpersonal and communication skills, consider asking these questions.

• Patient interaction: How do you approach interacting with patients, especially those who may be anxious or in pain?
• Teamwork: Can you describe a time when you worked effectively as part of a healthcare team?
• Communication: How do you communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals?

For interpreting personality and motivation, consider asking the questions below.

• Work ethic: What motivates you to work hard and be a productive team member?
• Adaptability: How do you handle changes in schedules or unexpected tasks?
• Learning agility: Are you open to learning new skills and adapting to new technologies?

For evaluating aspects specific to the role, consider asking the following questions.

• Understanding of role: What do you understand to be the primary responsibilities of a physical therapy technician?
• Compliance: How familiar are you with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other relevant regulations?
• Physical demands: Are you comfortable with the physical demands of the job, such as lifting patients and standing for long periods?

3. Train Technicians Properly

After hiring a PT tech, you’ll need to train them. Even if the tech isn’t brand new to them or the field, you’ll still need to train them on how you want things done at your clinic.

You can use a combination of training options, including:

• Comprehensive training program. Create a structured training program that covers all essential aspects of the technician’s role, including:
  • Basic anatomy and physiology
  • Common physical therapy diagnoses and conditions
  • Therapeutic exercise techniques
  • Modality applications (e.g., heat, cold, electrical stimulation)
  • Patient handling and transfer techniques
  • Infection control and safety protocols
  • Documentation and record-keeping
• Shadowing opportunities. Allow technicians to shadow experienced therapists to observe their clinical decision-making, patient interaction, and treatment techniques.
• Hands-on training. Offer opportunities for hands-on training under the direct supervision of experienced physical therapists or physical therapist assistants.
• Standardized training materials. Use standardized training materials, such as textbooks, manuals, and online resources, to ensure consistency in training.
• Case discussions. Participate in case discussions with technicians to analyze patient cases, review treatment plans, and discuss alternative approaches.

Ensure that you maintain compliance with any relevant regulatory standards for training.

• Adhering to state and federal regulations: Ensure that all training and supervision practices comply with relevant state and federal regulations governing physical therapy.
• Maintaining accurate documentation: Maintain accurate and complete documentation of the technician’s training and supervision.

Once initial training is complete, be sure to provide ongoing supervision and evaluation in the form of:

• Regular supervision. Implement a system of regular supervision, including direct observation, shadowing, and one-on-one meetings.
• Performance evaluations. Conduct periodic performance evaluations to assess the technician’s skills, knowledge, and adherence to protocols.
• Feedback and coaching. Offer constructive feedback and coaching to help technicians improve their performance.
• Continuing education. Support technicians in attending continuing education courses and workshops to stay up to date on the latest evidence-based practices.

4. Delegate Tasks Effectively

The primary purpose of physical therapy techs is supporting physical therapists in providing effective patient care. To ensure you get the most value from your tech, you’ll need to master task delegation. Here are a few tips.

Clearly communicate expectations by:

• Defining the task. Clearly explain the task, including its purpose, scope, and desired outcome.
• Setting specific instructions. Provide step-by-step instructions or guidelines for completing the task.
• Communicating deadlines. Establish clear deadlines for completing the task.
• Providing necessary resources. Ensure the technician has access to all the necessary tools, equipment, and information required to complete the task.

Especially early on, make sure you’re ready to answer questions and provide feedback. With any luck, you’ll have a quick learner on your hands!

Ensure tasks can be completed correctly by:

• Identifying the right tasks. Determine which tasks can be safely and effectively delegated to a technician.
• Considering the technician’s skills. Match the task to the technician’s abilities and training. Focus on delegating tasks that are routine, repetitive, or do not require advanced clinical judgment.
• Respect legal and ethical boundaries. Ensure that delegated tasks are within the scope of practice for physical therapy technicians.
• Prioritizing tasks. Communicate how important each task is so the technician can complete them in an order that makes the best sense for the patient or the business.

Provide adequate supervision for tasks by:

• Monitoring progress. Regularly check in with the tech to ensure they are on track and address any questions or concerns.
• Offering guidance and support. Provide guidance and support as needed, but avoid micromanaging, which can be both difficult for employees to process and can hinder learning.
• Providing feedback. Offer constructive feedback—both positive and negative— on the tech’s performance.

5. Foster a Positive and Supportive Work Environment

For your physical therapy technician to thrive and provide the support you need, you must create a work environment that also supports them.

• Regular check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss their work, concerns, and goals.
• Active listening: Encourage open communication by actively listening to their feedback and suggestions.
• Transparent communication: Be transparent about practice goals, changes, and expectations.
• Verbal acknowledgements: Regularly acknowledge their contributions and hard work.
• Written recognition: Consider sending thank-you notes or emails to recognize specific achievements.
• Performance bonuses or incentives: Implement reward systems to motivate and appreciate their efforts.
• Continuing education opportunities: Support their professional growth by providing opportunities for continuing education.
• Career advancement opportunities: Discuss potential career paths within the practice and provide guidance on how to achieve them.
• Work-life balance: Promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging time off and flexible scheduling options.
• Team-building activities: Organize team-building activities to foster camaraderie and strengthen relationships.
• Conflict resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly to maintain a harmonious work environment.

Your Practice Needs Physical Therapy Technicians

Growth will naturally happen when you’re a skilled physical therapist with happy clients. So if you want to take on more clients but keep overhead low, hiring a physical therapy technician is the way to go, especially if you only need help with administrative tasks and basic patient care.

The guide above will not only make the hiring process smoother but also increase the chances of a great hire.