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Physical Therapist Assistants

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$65,510	20800	25.4%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$65,510

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

20800

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

25.4%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Prepare medical reports or documents.
Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Attend educational events to update medical knowledge.
Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.
Engage patients in exercises or activities.
Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
Fit patients for assistive devices.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Move patients to or from treatment areas.
Adjust positions of patients on beds or tables.
Monitor medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
Assist patients with daily activities.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
Prepare patient treatment areas for use.
Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Document client health or progress.
Record patient medical histories.
Engage patients in exercises or activities.
Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
Perform therapeutic wound care.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/physical-therapy/physical-therapist-assistant/

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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