Physical Therapist Aide onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: CPR, Safe patient handling (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: exercise equipment; treatment tables; hot and cold packs; cleaning supplies
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Physical Therapist Aide training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Check skin with hot and cold packs
Use safe lifting
Follow infection control
Report concerns to the PT
Shadow an experienced physical therapist aide through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: prepare a hot pack
Supervised practice: clean a treatment table
Supervised practice: guide assigned exercises
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Set up equipment: independently
Clean treatment areas: independently
Help patients move: independently
Prepare hot and cold packs: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, CPR)
Discuss the career path: PT Aide → Rehab Technician → Physical Therapist Assistant
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Prepare a Hot Pack
Clean a Treatment Table
Guide Assigned Exercises
Equipment setup
Patient transfers
Exercise basics
Infection control

How to measure onboarding success

Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
Competency sign-offs completed on time
Documentation or charting error rate
90-day retention

How Physical Therapist Aide training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Physical Therapist Aide Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Physical Therapist Aide Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Physical Therapist Aide Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Physical Therapist Aide Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)