Trades
Physical Therapist Aides

Physical Therapist

Physical therapist aides help physical therapists provide physical therapy treatments and care to patients
Apply Now
Save
Physical Therapist
No items found.
Love developing relationships with clients and working with them to solve their health problems?
Why Should You Consider This Career?

Physical Therapists help patients and athletes with exercises and activities. Work in a more casual envirnment than a hosptial. Learn the skills to live long and be healthy.

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Attendant, Rehabilitation Aide, Rehabilitation Attendant, Restorative Aide (RA

Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Attendant, Rehabilitation Aide, Rehabilitation Attendant, Restorative Aide (RA
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
  • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
  • Record treatment given and equipment used.
  • Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
  • Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
  • Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
  • Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  • Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.
  • Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
  • Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
$
19.1
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
  • Clean medical equipment.
  • Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
  • Engage patients in exercises or activities.
  • Maintain medical records.
  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
  • Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
  • Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
  • Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 76/100

  • Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. 75/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 65/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 63/100

  • Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. 55/100

  • Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 55/100

  • Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. 50/100

  • Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. 48/100

  • Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 44/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 39/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs
  • Blood pressure cuff kits
  • Canes
  • Gait belts for rehabilitation or therapy
  • Electrotherapy combination units
  • Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks
  • Clinical hydraulic lifts
  • Crutches
  • Vascular or compression apparel or support
  • Ultrasonic therapy apparatus or supplies
  • Parallel bars for rehabilitation or therapy
  • Walkers or rollators
  • Orthotics or foot care products
  • Orthopedic splint systems
  • Wheelchairs
  • Lower extremity prosthetic devices
  • Upper extremity prosthetic devices
  • Electronic blood pressure units
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
No items found.
Related Careers Icon

Helpful Career Links

American Heart Association
American Massage Therapy Association
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association
National Athletic Trainers' Association
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical therapist assistants and aides

Related Careers

Home Health Aides | 31-1121.00
Personal Care Aides | 31-1122.00
Occupational Therapy Aides | 31-2012.00
Pharmacy Aides | 31-9095.00
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | 31-9096.00
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational | 33-9092.00Protective Service Workers
Bartenders | 35-3011.00
Shampooers | 39-5093.00
Childcare Workers | 39-9011.00
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | 41-2012.00

Questions About this Career Path?

YesNo
Contact Us
Claim your page
© 2022 Classet, Inc. This site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
X

Submit Feedback or Suggestions

Thank you!
Your application has been received! We will reach out soon to schedule a quick video call.

In the meantime, feel free to to head to our community forum and introduce yourself:
Join the Community
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.