Physical Therapist Assistants

What the job really is

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Support
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-2021
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
• Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
• Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
• Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
• Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
• Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
• Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
• Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
• Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
• Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Above-the-knee prosthetics, Accounting software, Ankle-foot orthotics, Arena Health Systems Phys-X

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Physical Therapist Aides
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Occupational Therapy Aides
• Psychiatric Technicians
• Respiratory Therapists
• Recreational Therapists
• Radiation Therapists
• Psychiatric Aides

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Physical Therapist Assistants — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.