Description
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.
Interests
- Social
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Concern for Others
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
Tasks
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Handling and Moving Objects
Detailed Work Activities
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Technology Skills
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Service Orientation
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Occupational Therapist RegisteredCertifying Organization
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
Type
Core
Certificate name
Physical Therapy Technician CertificationCertifying Organization
American Medical Certification Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certification in Orthopedic Manual TherapyCertifying Organization
International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - US
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Orthopaedic Technologist CertifiedCertifying Organization
National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technololgists
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Physical Therapy Aide Online National CertificationCertifying Organization
American Allied Health
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $32,360 |
| Median (50%) | $35,667 |
| High (90%) | $42,729 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $36,709 |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 44,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 45,600 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 3%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 3%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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