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Physical Therapist Assistants

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

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.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • 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.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

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

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