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Physiotherapy
Assistant
Role and Responsibilities of:
The Physiotherapy Assistant, the Supervising
Physiotherapist, and the Employer
Contents Page
i Introduction 3
1. Definition of a Physiotherapy Assistant 4
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i Introduction
This document is intended as a guide for use in any healthcare facility in New Zealand. It
has been compiled by Maree Grbin, Professional Leader Physiotherapy Counties Manukau
DHB with input from the Leaders, Advisors and Managers of Physiotherapy for District
Health Boards in New Zealand and with assistance from the New Zealand Society of
Physiotherapists Inc.
It was ratified at the NZSP Annual General Meeting on 28 May 2005 and replaces the
outdated Section IV The Physiotherapy Assistant published in the Department of Health
June 1989 publication: Roles and Functions of the Physiotherapist.
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1. Definition of a Physiotherapy Assistant
The title physiotherapy assistant is not used for persons whose role with the physiotherapist is
purely reception or clerical.
Other terms that may be synonymous with physiotherapy assistant (when the person is assisting
in the field of physiotherapy) are:
• health assistant
• health care assistant
• patient care assistant
• mobility assistant
• therapy assistant
• physiotherapy aide
Note: An assistant may be employed across two or more disciplines and, in such cases, there
may be additional responsibilities for both the assistant and the employer, and a need for
flexibility to allow for cross disciplinary supervision and reporting.
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2. Role and Responsibilities of the Employer
2.1 The employer organisation is responsible for ensuring the physiotherapy assistant:
- Understands their boundaries and is not put in a position where they are expected to
take on duties that require a registered physiotherapist.
- Meets the required ethical, professional, confidentiality standards and code of conduct
that apply to the physiotherapy assistant.
- Has an active working knowledge of cultural safety and the principles of cultural
competence.
- Is clearly identifiable as a physiotherapy assistant by clients, their family/whanau and
other health professionals.
- Is employed to a specific job description and holds a copy of it.
- Has the necessary training to meet the identified and agreed competencies for the
designated role (see Appendix 1).
- Is informed of who their supervising physiotherapist is at commencement in the
position and subsequently any changes to this.
2.3 The organisation must provide supervision for the physiotherapy assistant. Under
no circumstances may a person be designated a physiotherapy assistant and provide
a physiotherapy service unless a physiotherapist acts as the supervisor.
Requirements to be met are:
- The physiotherapy assistant is responsible to the physiotherapist at all times.
- When the designated supervisor is absent or unable to provide continuous and
immediate supervision, the duties of the physiotherapy assistant will be restricted to
those not requiring decisions about patient care, those that the assistant has
demonstrated competence in and are clearly set out in writing. An alternative contact
for emergency assistance will be provided.
- The physiotherapy assistant may only carry out patient programmes set down by the
physiotherapist; any changes to patient programmes must be done in consultation and
in agreement with the physiotherapist.
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3. Role and Responsibilities of the Physiotherapy Assistant
3.1 Standards: The physiotherapy assistant will at all times comply with the Health
and Disability Sector Standards and all other relevant standards and legislation
including those related to:
- Privacy
- Occupational health and safety
- Infection control
- Hazard identification
- Treaty of Waitangi
3.2 Reporting: The physiotherapy assistant will report each working day to their
supervising physiotherapist and on additional occasions when there are any changes
to their existing programme.
- The physiotherapy assistant will be required to document patient activities carried out
and comment on how the patient managed these activities (whether this is recorded in
the patient record may depend on the policy of the employing organisation)
- It is the responsibility of the physiotherapy assistant to notify the physiotherapist of
any concerns the assistant has related to carrying out their designated programme ie.
due to observed changes in patient’s presentation, or in skill level of the assistant.
3.3 Professional development: The physiotherapy assistant will take part in designated
professional development activities relevant to their role.
- The physiotherapy assistant will have a performance development plan which will be
reviewed annually.
- The physiotherapy assistant will receive regular constructive feedback on their
performance.
3.4 Designated tasks: Tasks will be designated by the employer at the time of
appointment and subject to the assistant demonstrating competence.
- Reception, clerical and housekeeping duties may be included in the role.
- Activities related to patient care but not part of physiotherapy interventions eg
escorting patients, preparing patients for treatment, dressing, preparing files.
- Assisting the physiotherapist with patient therapy eg moving and handling, bilateral
limb movements, 2 person gait training, hydrotherapy, group activity.
- Carry out planned therapy programmes following specific instruction from the
physiotherapist eg supervise existing exercise programmes, apply equipment for
patients to continue their specified exercise programmes, facilitate patients practicing
functional activities.
- Carry out programmes that carers would be expected to do eg passive and assisted
range of movement activities, application of orthosis.
- Measure and instruct in the use of simple mobility aids eg walking sticks.
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- Prepare and apply the following physiotherapy adjuncts following physiotherapist
instructions.
§ Wax baths
§ Hydrocollator packs
§ Ice packs
§ Heated wheat bags
§ CPM machines
§ TENS
§ Exercise equipment
§ Assist with tilt table, treadmill harness and hoist.
§ Group work e.g. exercise programmes; walking groups
3.4 Tasks excluded from physiotherapy assistant duties: The following tasks must not
be undertaken by a physiotherapy assistant at any time as they are deemed core
physiotherapy activities that are required to be undertaken by a registered
physiotherapist:
- Interpreting referrals
- Assessing clients
- Interpreting findings
- Making a diagnosis
- Planning and initiating physiotherapy programme
- Progressing or changing a care plan
- Discharge planning
- Discussing aspects of the client’s medical condition or possible future care with other
health professionals or family/whanau.
- Administering of electrotherapeutic modalities that are connected to mains supply e.g.
ultrasound
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4. Role and Responsibilities of the Supervising Physiotherapist
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Appendix 1
Suggested Physiotherapy Assistant Competencies
Provides safe and effective client care:
- Treat individuals with respect
- Ensures patient safety, privacy and comfort are maintained at all times
- Contributes to the achievement of client focussed goals
- Demonstrates safe manual handling skills
- Demonstrates competence in delegated tasks
- Demonstrates an understanding of wellness
- Demonstrates safe use of therapy equipment
- Able to identify deterioration in the patient
- Able to initiate an appropriate alert in an emergency
Communicates effectively:
- Is aware of and meets the requirements of the Health Information Privacy Code 1994
- Communicates clearly and appropriately with client and family/whanau members
- Is able to communicate patient responses or changes clearly to other health
professionals
- Recognises conflict situations and seeks appropriate assistance.
- Can follow instructions accurately
- Knows when to seek clarification
- Communicates any concerns re workload
- Complies with organisation documentation policy
- Contributes to effective working relationships
- Can record tasks undertaken and responses observed in writing
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