Physical Therapist Assistants
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant, Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant, Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
Technology Skills
- Accounting software:Accounting software,Billing software,Bookkeeping software
- Action games:Video game software,Virtual reality game software
- Calendar and scheduling software:Scheduling software,SpectraSoft AppointmentsPRO
- Data base user interface and query software:dBASE,FileMaker Pro,Microsoft Access
- Electronic mail software:Email software,Microsoft Outlook
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others:Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Performing General Physical Activities:Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
- Adjust positions of patients on beds or tables.
- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
- Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
- Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
- Assist patients with daily activities.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:99% responded"Every day"
- Contact With Others:97% responded"Constant contact with others"
- Physical Proximity:97% responded"Very close (near touching)"
- Frequency of Decision Making:95% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:92% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Social Perceptiveness:Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Learning:Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Therapy and Counseling:Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Psychology:Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 84%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
- 15%Bachelor's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Speech Clarity:The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Speech Recognition:The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Interests
- Social:Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
- Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Self-Control:Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Concern for Others:Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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