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Physical Therapist Aides

Also called: Physical Therapist Aide (PTA), Physical Therapy Aide (PTA), Rehabilitation Aide, Restorative Aide (RA)

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What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Business
  • customer service
  • administrative services
Health
  • therapy and counseling
  • medicine and dentistry
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design
Arts and Humanities
  • English language

Skills

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
Social
  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • Epic Systems Hot Technology
  • MEDITECH software
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology In Demand

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$29,200
$22,140
$37,920
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Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about physical therapist aides.