Physical Therapist Assistants

Also called: Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Career Cluster: Health Science
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
KNOWLEDGE

Health
  • therapy and counseling
  • medicine and dentistry
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design
Business
  • customer service
SKILLS

Social
  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people
Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
ABILITIES

Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
PERSONALITY

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
TECHNOLOGY

You might use software like this on the job:

Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft Access
Medical software
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software
  • Medical condition coding software
EDUCATION


associate's degree or bachelor's degree
usually needed
SEARCH ALL PROGRAMS & MAJORS SEARCH COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
JOB OUTLOOK


Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.


Salary:
High: $88,830.00
Median: $64,080.00
Low: $42,110.00
FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN VIRGINIA