Physical Therapist Assistant
At a glance
- Median Salary$67,088
- Local Jobs252

Occupation Profile

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 occupationLocal Jobs252
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 occupationEntry-level educationAssociate's Degree
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
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
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.
Educational Programs
Physical Therapist Assistant
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Credit | AAS Degree | 2072 | Yes | Yes |
Certified Physical Therapy Aide
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 190 | Yes | No |
Learn more aboutPhysical Therapist Assistant
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