What a physiotherapy assistant does
A physiotherapy assistant carries out parts of a treatment plan under the direction of a physiotherapist. They guide patients through exercise programs, set up modalities, help with mobility and keep the clinic or gym area ready for the next patient. A good assistant extends what each physiotherapist can do in a day, improves patient engagement during sessions and gives the regulated clinician more time for assessment and complex care.
Physiotherapy assistants are not regulated in Ontario, and the physiotherapist remains accountable for what they assign. That makes training, judgment and communication especially important. Finch asks how your physiotherapists use assistants, which tasks they assign and what documentation is expected, then screens for candidates with relevant education and hands-on experience who know when to stop and check with the physiotherapist.
Typical responsibilities
- Lead patients through exercise programs set by the physiotherapist
- Set up and apply modalities as assigned and within clinic protocols
- Assist with gait training, transfers and mobility practice
- Observe and report patient responses and concerns to the physiotherapist
- Record treatment notes as directed
- Keep equipment clean, stocked and in safe working order
Qualifications and credentials
- Occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant (OTA/PTA) diploma or similar training, often preferred by employers
- Experience in a clinic, hospital or long-term care setting
- Understanding of safe body mechanics and patient handling
- First aid and CPR certification, which many employers ask for
- Clear communication and comfort working under direction
Who hires a physiotherapy assistant
- Private physiotherapy clinics
- Hospitals and rehab units
- Long-term care and retirement homes
- Community and seniors' exercise programs
Where we recruit physiotherapy assistant candidates
We fill physiotherapy assistant roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm completion of an OTA/PTA program or comparable training
- Review experience with the patient groups you treat
- Check understanding of the limits of assigned tasks
- Confirm availability, including early morning or evening sessions
- Check references from supervising physiotherapists
Interview questions to ask
- What would you do if a patient reported new pain during an assigned exercise?
- How do you keep track of each patient's program across a busy day?
- Describe how you update the physiotherapist on a patient's progress.