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Physical Therapist Assistants

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.

Tasks
21 tasks18 core, 3 supplemental
Family
Healthcare SupportOne of its 20 occupations
Code
31-2021.00SOC 2018: 31-2021

Read the 21 tasks Download this record as JSON

What the work is made of

18 core tasks and 3 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.

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Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all

  1. Task 1. Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.Core taskTask 2008Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  2. Task 2. Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.Core taskTask 21192Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  3. Task 3. 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.Core taskTask 15247Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  4. Task 4. Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.Core taskTask 21193Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  5. Task 5. Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.Core taskTask 2013Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  6. Task 6. Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.Core taskTask 2009Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  7. Task 7. Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.Core taskTask 15248Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  8. Task 8. Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.Core taskTask 2016Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  9. Task 9. Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.Core taskTask 2018Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  10. Task 10. Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.Core taskTask 15249Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  11. Task 11. Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.Core taskTask 2012Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  12. Task 12. Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.Core taskTask 2015Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  13. Task 13. Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.Core taskTask 2017Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2020
  14. Task 14. Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.Core taskTask 2019Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020
  15. Task 15. Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.Core taskTask 15250Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  16. Task 16. Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.Core taskTask 2014Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  17. Task 17. Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.Core taskTask 2023Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  18. Task 18. Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.Core taskTask 2021Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020
  19. Task 19. Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.Supplemental taskTask 2022Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2020
  20. Task 20. Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.Supplemental taskTask 2020Rated by 58 people who do the job, August 2020
  21. Task 21. Perform therapeutic wound care.Supplemental taskTask 21194Rated by 58 people who do the job, August 2020

Where this comes from

Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.

How we copy and credit sources
  1. Published by
    O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
  2. Classification
    Standard Occupational Classification 2018, 31-2021
  3. License
    CC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
  4. Changed by us
    Nothing.

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19 other occupations in this family, each with its own page.

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