Physical Therapist Aides
What is a Physical Therapist Aide?
A Physical Therapist Aide is a healthcare professional who assists physical therapists in providing rehabilitative care to patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or managing chronic conditions. Their primary role involves supporting the physical therapy team by preparing treatment areas, organizing equipment, and ensuring a safe, clean environment for patient care. Aides engage with patients by guiding them through exercises and therapeutic activities under the supervision of licensed therapists, helping to monitor progress and provide encouragement. They also assist with administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and managing inventory of medical supplies. The role of a physical therapist aide is crucial in enhancing patient experiences and supporting the overall functionality of rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.
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.
Technology Skills
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Medical software
- Epic Systems
- Medical procedure coding software
- MEDITECH software
- Patient record maintenance software
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
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Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
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Office suite software
- Microsoft Office software
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Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
Tools Used
- Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs
- Blood pressure cuff kits
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Canes
- Gait belts for rehabilitation or therapy
- Electrotherapy combination units
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Skills
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Associate's degree
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Less than high school diploma
Work Activities
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Detailed Work Activities
- Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
- Clean medical equipment.
- Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
- Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
- Engage patients in exercises or activities.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$23070.0 - $43980.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.