# 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. - Code: 31-2021.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 31-2021) - Family: [Healthcare Support](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-31), one of its 20 occupations - Tasks: 21 tasks (18 core and 3 supplemental) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2021.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/31-2021.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. Core task · Task 2008 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 2. Document patient information, such as notes on their progress. Core task · Task 21192 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 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 task · Task 15247 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 4. Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise. Core task · Task 21193 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 5. Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. Core task · Task 2013 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 6. Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment. Core task · Task 2009 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 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 task · Task 15248 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 8. Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. Core task · Task 2016 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 9. Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment. Core task · Task 2018 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 10. Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans. Core task · Task 15249 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 11. Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. Core task · Task 2012 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 12. Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. Core task · Task 2015 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 13. Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment. Core task · Task 2017 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2020 14. Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings. Core task · Task 2019 · Rated by 60 people who do the job, August 2020 15. Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities. Core task · Task 15250 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 16. Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches. Core task · Task 2014 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 17. Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions. Core task · Task 2023 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 18. Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms. Core task · Task 2021 · Rated by 59 people who do the job, August 2020 19. Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists. Supplemental task · Task 2022 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2020 20. Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment. Supplemental task · Task 2020 · Rated by 58 people who do the job, August 2020 21. Perform therapeutic wound care. Supplemental task · Task 21194 · Rated by 58 people who do the job, August 2020 ## More in Healthcare Support - [Dental Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9091.00): 16 tasks - [Endoscopy Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9099.02): 12 tasks - [Healthcare Support Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9099.00): no tasks listed - [Home Health Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1121.00): 15 tasks - [Massage Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9011.00): 14 tasks - [Medical Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9092.00): 20 tasks - [Medical Equipment Preparers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9093.00): 15 tasks - [Medical Transcriptionists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9094.00): 15 tasks - [Nursing Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1131.00): 33 tasks - [Occupational Therapy Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2012.00): 15 tasks - [Occupational Therapy Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2011.00): 22 tasks - [Orderlies](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1132.00): 22 tasks - [Personal Care Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1122.00): 11 tasks - [Pharmacy Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9095.00): 14 tasks - [Phlebotomists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9097.00): 23 tasks - [Physical Therapist Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2022.00): 19 tasks - [Psychiatric Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1133.00): 17 tasks - [Speech-Language Pathology Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9099.01): 11 tasks - [Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9096.00): 28 tasks ## Where this comes from Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. 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