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Physical Therapist Assistant

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

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Healthcare
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Median pay
$68,380/yr
Typical range
$47,750 – $89,510
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Physical Therapist Assistant 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.

  • 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.

How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant

Training: An associate's degree or other 2-year degree or bachelor's degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsKeeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvementsNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itUnderstanding people's reactionsLooking for ways to help people

Is it a fit for you?

  • Optimism
  • Empathy
  • Social Orientation
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity

Tools and technology

eClinicalWorks EHR softwareMedical condition coding softwareMicrosoft PowerPointFileMaker ProMicrosoft Access

Questions people ask

How much does a Physical Therapist Assistant make?

About $68,380 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $47,750 and $89,510. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Physical Therapist Assistant?

No four-year degree is needed. An associate's degree or other 2-year degree or bachelor's degree.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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