Career Overview
Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
Also Known As
- Physical Therapist Aide (PTA)
- Physical Therapy Aide (PTA)
- PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician)
- Rehabilitation Technician (Rehabilitation Tech)
Alternate Job Titles
- Aide
- Outpatient Aide
- Outpatient Therapy Aide
- Physical Therapist Aide (PTA)
- Physical Therapy Aide (PTA)
- Physiotherapy Aide
- PT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant)
- PT Tech (Physical Therapist Technician)
- PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician)
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Rehabilitation Attendant
- Rehabilitation Technician (Rehabilitation Tech)
- Rehabilitation Therapy Aide
- Restorative Aide (RA)
- Therapy Aide
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
- Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
- Trunk Strength
- Written Comprehension
- Selective Attention
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Empathy
- Attention to Detail
- Optimism
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Anti-embolism elastic stockings
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Canes
- Cold packs
- Crutches
- Electrical stimulation equipment
- Electronic blood pressure units
- Gait belts
- Hot packs
- Hydraulic lifts
- Hydrotherapy immersion baths
- Lower extremity prosthetic devices
- Notebook computers
- Orthopedic splint sets
- Orthotic devices
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Physical Proximity
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $24,960 |
| Median | $34,520 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $46,930 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 44,010
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Physical Therapist Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $65,510
Occupational Therapy Aides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,370
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $68,340
Psychiatric Technicians
Education: Some College Courses
Median Salary: $42,590
Psychiatric Aides
Education: Some College Courses
Median Salary: $41,590
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.