Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
- Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
- Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
Alternate Job Titles
- Assistant
- Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
- Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant
- Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
- Home Health Physical Therapy Assistant (Home Health PTA)
- Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)
- Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
- Nursing Facility PTA (Nursing Facility Physical Therapy Assistant)
- Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant
- Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
- Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Rehabilitation Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
- SNF PTA (Skilled Nursing Facility Physical Therapy Assistant)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Psychology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Selective Attention
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Empathy
- Attention to Detail
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Support
- Achievement
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Above-the-knee prosthetics
- Ankle-foot orthotics
- Arm prosthetics
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Back braces
- Balance beams
- Balance boards
- Below-the-knee prosthetics
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Body-fat calipers
- Cardiac monitors
- Cervical traction equipment
- Cold packs
- Continuous passive motion CPM equipment
- Crutches
Work Environment
- Physical Proximity
- Contact With Others
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Frequency of Decision Making
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,020 |
| Median | $65,510 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $87,630 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 108,010
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Physical Therapist Aides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,520
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $68,340
Occupational Therapy Aides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,370
Psychiatric Technicians
Education: Some College Courses
Median Salary: $42,590
Respiratory Therapists
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $80,450
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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.