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Physical Therapist Assistants

Also called: Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

What they 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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service

Health

  • therapy and counseling
  • medicine and dentistry

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady

Social

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail

Medical software

  • eClinicalWorks EHR software
  • Medical condition coding software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Data base user interface and query software

  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft Access

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $62,770

Education

Associate's degree or bachelor's degree is usually needed.

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