Physiotherapy Assistants work under the direction of a licensed physiotherapist to provide physiotherapy services.
Individuals working as Assistants within a physiotherapy setting in Nova Scotia are warmly invited to join the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's National Physiotherapist Assistant Assembly (NPAA). The Assembly was formed in 2005 as the National Support Worker Assembly; it became the National Physiotherapist Assistant Assembly in 2011. The Assembly has members from across Canada. For individuals living/working in Nova Scotia, membership in the Assembly provides access to both Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association (NSPA) resources such as newsletters, members-only website access, networking opportunities, and much more.
For information on NPAA activities and how to join, please visit the CPA's NPAA web pages. For information on working as a Physiotherapy Assistant in Nova Scotia, or for information on Nova Scotia membership benefits for NPAA members, please contact the NSPA office at info@physiotherapyns.ca.
Nova Scotia has two Physiotherapy Assistant education programs. Please visit the program websites for program details:
The physiotherapist maintains responsibility for the physiotherapy treatment delivered to all clients under his/her care. It is, therefore, always the responsibility of the physiotherapist to:
The physiotherapist is accountable for the appropriate assignment of duties to the support personnel under his/her supervision and shall not delegate to a less qualified person:
Physiotherapists with questions regarding the clinical role of Physiotherapy Assistants and/or the supervision of Assistants should contact the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists at registrar@nsphysio.com.
Our thanks are extended to the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists for their contribution of content regarding Principles and Responsibilities.