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Physical Therapist Assistants

Also called: Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Technician, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
  • 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.
  • Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.

Knowledge

Business
  • customer service
Health
  • therapy and counseling
  • medicine and dentistry
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design
Math and Science
  • psychology

Skills

Basic Skills
  • talking to others
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • group things in different ways
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • BioEx Systems Exercise Pro
  • Rehab Documentation Company ReDoc Suite
Accounting software
  • Billing software
  • Bookkeeping software
Data base user interface and query software
  • dBASE
  • FileMaker Pro software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
associate's degree or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$51,040
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about physical therapist assistants.