Physical Therapist Assistants

Career summary

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Physical therapy assistants work with people who have low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, or broken bones. They also work with people who have recently had surgery.

Before working with a patient, assistants confer with a physical therapist about the treatment plan. Under the direction of therapists, assistants provide many types of treatment (or modalities), such as:

• Exercises
• Massage
• Hot and cold applications
• Ultrasound or electrical stimulation
• Stretching

They teach patients how to do exercises and use support devices such as crutches and walkers. They may also train patients how to use and care for braces or prostheses (artificial body parts).

Physical therapist assistants record patient response to treatment. They measure a patient's range of motion in joints or body parts. They share results with physical therapists.

Physical therapist assistants keep the treatment areas clean and organized. They assist patients in moving to and from treatment areas. Assistants sometimes help patients in dressing or undressing.

Physical therapist assistants sometimes have clerical tasks. They may answer the phone, order supplies, or fill out forms for insurance companies.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Athletic Trainers
• Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
• Hearing Aid Specialists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Massage Therapists
• Medical Assistants
• Occupational Therapist Aides
• Occupational Therapist Assistants
• Ophthalmic Technicians
• Physical Therapist Aides
• Physical Therapists
• Psychiatric Technicians

Military careers

• Physical and Occupational Therapy Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to physical therapist assistants.

• Instruct and assist patients with exercises to improve functioning and mobility.
• Confer with physical therapists and other staff about treatment plans for patients.
• Provide treatments such as massage or heat or cold packs.
• Provide electrical treatments, such as electrical stimulation or ultrasound.
• Record patients' responses to treatment and report them to the physical therapist.
• Evaluate patients to determine effects of treatments.
• Secure patients to therapy equipment.
• Fit patients for braces and other supportive devices, such as crutches.
• Train patients to use equipment such as braces, prostheses, or crutches.
• Prepare patients for therapy. Help them to and from treatment areas.
• Record which treatments were given and the equipment used.
• Keep treatment areas clean and organized.
• Assist patients with dressing, and putting on and removing supportive devices.
• Administer traction to relieve neck and back pain.
• Prepare treatment areas and equipment for use by physiotherapists.
• Perform chest physiotherapy to remove mucus from lungs. Assist patients in breathing exercises.
• Perform clerical tasks, such as answering the phone, ordering supplies, or filling out forms.

Common work activities

Physical therapist assistants perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Document and record information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Teach others
• Process information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Think creatively
• Analyze data or information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Handle and move objects
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Use computers
• Coach others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Develop and build teams
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Schedule work and activities

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, physical therapist assistants:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They work closely with patients and physical therapy staff.
• Are somewhat responsible for their work outcomes.
• Communicate with coworkers and patients daily by telephone or in person.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of their patients.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations in which patients may be angry or rude.
• Write letters and e-mails on a weekly basis.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Are exposed to diseases on a daily basis. May wear protective gear, such as gloves.
• Work very near coworkers and patients. They often work within inches of others.
• Often wear a uniform or lab jacket.

Work performance

• Must be sure their work is exact. Errors could harm or injure patients.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact patients. They consult physical therapists for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
• Usually don't have to consult a supervisor before setting tasks for the day. This is because they do many of the same tasks with each patient.
• Must structure their day around patient appointments.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May work evenings and weekends, depending on the facility's hours of operation.

Physical demands

Physical therapist assistants frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for physical therapist assistants to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for physical therapist assistants to be able to:

• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

Skills and abilities

Physical therapist assistants need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Physical Therapy Assisting

Other programs of study to consider

• Athletic Training
• Chiropractic Assisting
• Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy
• Health Aide
• Massage Therapy
• Medical Assisting
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Recreation Therapy

Training

To work as a physical therapist assistant, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have an associate degree.

Education after high school

Physical therapist assistants usually have an associate degree. Many professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer physical therapist assistant programs. These programs grant a certificate or associate degree. In these programs you study anatomy and physiology, biology, and psychology. You may also learn CPR and first aid.

On-the-job training

While you are a student, you work in a clinic to gain hands-on experience.

You may receive additional training on the job. The length of training varies by employer. In general, you may receive up to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be occupational therapy specialists. Training lasts 11 to 13 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require applicants to be certified or licensed in states that require it. However, some employers will employ a graduate from an approved program and provide the additional clinical training needed for a license.

Employers look for applicants who have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help people in need.

Costs to workers

Workers may need to purchase a uniform.

Licensing/certification

Physical therapist assistants are required to be licensed in the state of Washington. Licensing requirements include:

• a good moral character;
• completion of a physical therapy assistant program approved by the State Board of Physical Therapy;
• passing a written national exam;
• listing all employment history for three years prior to applying for license;
• answering personal data questions;
• completion of online jurisprudence exam; and
• completion of seven hours of AIDS training before applying to the Board for licensing.

Assistants must pay an application fee and annual renewal fee.

Physical therapists assistants must also complete 24 hours of continuing physical education and 200 hours of employment every two years.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Board of Physical Therapy 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#2/10/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Physical Therapist Assistants 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary based on the worker's education and experience.

Benefits vary by employer. Most full-time physical therapist assistants receive benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Many part-time assistants do not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Physical therapy clinics
• Hospitals
• Nursing care facilities

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing significantly. This is mostly due to the large increase in the aging population. New health care laws also mean that more people will be covered by health insurance and will seek health care treatment. New medical developments such as joint replacements also increase the demand for this occupation. Demand also increases as physical therapist assistants can do more procedures.

Job opportunities should be good especially in rural areas and underserved parts of the country.

Other resources

American Kinesiotherapy Association 

American Physical Therapy Association 
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.999.2782
703.684.2782

Explore Health Careers: Physical Therapist Assistant 

Health Occupation Students of America 
548 Silicon Drive, Suite 101
Southlake, TX 76092
800.321.HOSA

Physical Therapy Association of Washington 
208 Rogers Street NW
Olympia, WA 98502
800.554.5569
360.352.7290

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Physical Therapist Assistants (31-2021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Physical Therapist Assistant (076.224-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Realistic/Investigative

COPSystem

• Service Skilled