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Healthcare Support

Physical Therapist Aides

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Physical Therapist Aides
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Median pay

$34,520
Median annual pay for Physical Therapist Aides.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

6,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

45,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Physical Therapist Aides in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+1,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

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Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Computers and Electronics
  4. 4Therapy and Counseling
  5. 5Psychology
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Speech Recognition
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Inductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Cooperation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Empathy
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Optimism
  6. 6Social Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Handling and Moving Objects
  6. 6Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Physical Proximity
  5. 5Health and Safety of Other Workers
  6. 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Representative 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.
  • Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
  • Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
  • Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.

Software and tools

Epic Systems · hot technologyMEDITECH software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMedical procedure coding softwarePatient record maintenance softwareScheduling software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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