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Physical Therapist Assistant

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AVG. SALARY

$55,160

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EDUCATION

Associate's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Increasing

What They Do

Physical Therapist Assistants Career Video

About This Career

Assists 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.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Therapeutic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Documents patient information, such as notes on their progress.
  • Instructs, motivates, safeguards, and assists patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
  • Observes patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provides results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
  • Instructs patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
  • Secures patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  • Confers with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
  • Administers active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
  • Transports patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
  • Cleans work area and checks and stores equipment after treatment.
  • Communicates with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
  • Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
  • Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
  • Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)
  • Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA)
  • Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
  • Home Care Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support