Physical Therapist Assistant

At a Glance

Median Salary
$67,088

Local Jobs
252

Entry-Level Education
Associate's Degree

Occupation Profile

Document patient information, such as notes on their progress. 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. Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise. Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$67,088

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

252

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

Associate's Degree

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
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.
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.
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
Measure patients’ range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Physical Therapist Assistant?

Hard Skills

Billing
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Clinical Documentation
Direct Patient Care
Infection Control
Patient Treatment
Pediatrics
Physical Therapy
Rehabilitation
Treatment Planning

Soft Skills

Communications
Computer Literacy
Coordinating
Ethical Standards And Conduct
Lifting Ability
Management
Planning
Problem Solving
Professionalism
Valid Driver's License

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Del Mar College