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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.
Other titles employers use
Physical Therapist Aide (PTA) · Physical Therapy Aide (PTA) · PT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant) · PT Tech (Physical Therapist Technician) · PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician) · Rehabilitation Aide · Rehabilitation Attendant · Rehabilitation Technician (Rehabilitation Tech)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Therapy and Counseling
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.5 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.1 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.4 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 44%
- A two-year degree 25%
- A certificate or some college 12%
- A doctorate or professional degree 10%
- A four-year degree 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,400
- Job openings each year
- 1,030
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 15.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,400 | 1,030 | 15.6% |
| New York | 4,930 | 120 | 32.2% |
| Texas | 4,670 | 640 | 6.1% |
| New Jersey | 2,850 | 390 | 6.7% |
| Utah | 1,930 | 280 | 56.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,680 | 230 | 1.8% |
| Michigan | 1,520 | 210 | 4.1% |
| Louisiana | 1,330 | 180 | 2.3% |
| Georgia | 1,290 | 180 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 1,190 | 160 | 5.3% |
| Florida | 1,090 | 150 | 12.4% |
| Virginia | 1,000 | 140 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 920 | 130 | 10.8% |
| Indiana | 900 | 120 | 4.7% |
| Washington | 880 | 140 | 20.5% |
| Alabama | 850 | 120 | 6.3% |
| Oregon | 780 | 110 | 14.7% |
| Nevada | 770 | 110 | 6.9% |
| Tennessee | 760 | 110 | 11.8% |
| Missouri | 700 | 100 | 7.7% |
| Ohio | 670 | 90 | −4.3% |
| Oklahoma | 610 | 80 | 1.7% |
| Nebraska | 570 | 80 | 9.6% |
| South Carolina | 560 | 80 | 7.7% |
| Kentucky | 490 | 70 | 4.3% |
| Iowa | 470 | 70 | 6.8% |
| Colorado | 420 | 60 | 10.5% |
| Connecticut | 400 | 50 | 2.6% |
| Illinois | 390 | 50 | — |
| West Virginia | 360 | 50 | 16.1% |
| Wisconsin | 360 | 50 | −2.7% |
| Massachusetts | 310 | 40 | — |
| New Mexico | 290 | 40 | 20.8% |
| Idaho | 270 | 40 | 17.4% |
| Mississippi | 250 | 30 | — |
| Delaware | 230 | 30 | 9.5% |
| Rhode Island | 220 | 30 | 4.8% |
| Wyoming | 190 | 30 | 5.6% |
| Montana | 120 | 20 | 9.1% |
| New Hampshire | 120 | 20 | 9.1% |
| South Dakota | 110 | 10 | — |
| Maine | 100 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 100 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| District of Columbia | 30 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.