Health Sciences
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Average
$55,000
ANNUAL
Entry Level
$37,000
ANNUAL
Mid Level
$55,000
ANNUAL
Expert Level
$73,000
ANNUAL
Physical Therapist Assistants
3,220
Projected job openings through 2028
Physical Therapist Assistants
Degree Recommendations
Physical Therapist Assistants
01
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
02
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.
03
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
04
Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
05
Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
06
Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
07
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
08
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
09
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
10
Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
Physical Therapist Assistants
Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.
KNOWLEDGE
Customer and Personal Service
KNOWLEDGE
English Language
KNOWLEDGE
Medicine and Dentistry
KNOWLEDGE
Psychology
KNOWLEDGE
Therapy and Counseling
SKILL
Active Listening
SKILL
Speaking
SKILL
Monitoring
SKILL
Social Perceptiveness
SKILL
Service Orientation
ABILITY
Oral Comprehension
ABILITY
Oral Expression
ABILITY
Written Comprehension
ABILITY
Problem Sensitivity
ABILITY
Speech Clarity
Health Sciences
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