Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Medical Assistants
Registered Nurses
Psychiatric Technicians
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
CAREER
Physical Therapist Assistants
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$59,770
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+32.6% (much faster than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Associate's degree
Career
What Physical Therapist Assistants 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.
Other Job Titles Physical Therapist Assistants May Have
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)
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Physical Therapist Assistants
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Associate's degree (52%)
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
