Physical Therapist Assistants
What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a skilled healthcare professional who works under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist to help patients recover from injuries, manage pain, and improve physical function. PTAs play a vital role in the rehabilitation process, employing various therapeutic techniques and exercise programs tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Typically, they assist in implementing treatment plans, monitoring patients’ progress, and adjusting exercises as needed in accordance with the guidelines laid out by the supervising physical therapist. PTAs often work in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and home health care environments. They interact closely with patients, providing hands-on care and support, ensuring a safe and encouraging atmosphere during rehabilitation. This career demands a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and treatment modalities, along with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively motivate and educate patients on their recovery journey.
Tasks
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- 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.
- Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
Technology Skills
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Medical software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Laboratory information system LIS
- Medical condition coding software
- TherAssist
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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Data base user interface and query software
- dBASE
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft Access
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Action games
- Video game software
- Virtual reality game software
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Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
Tools Used
- Walkers or rollators
- Patient care beds for specialty care
- Therapeutic balls
- Lower extremity prosthetic devices
- Patient lifts
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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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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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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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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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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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Abilities
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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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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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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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).
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Associate's degree
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Bachelor's degree
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Professional degree
Awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession
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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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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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Detailed Work Activities
- Engage patients in exercises or activities.
- Document client health or progress.
- Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
- Record patient medical histories.
- Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.
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
$42110.0 - $88830.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.