What they do
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.
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Also called: |
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), Restorative Aide (RA), Therapy Aide
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 15.25 |
$31,730 |
25% |
$ 17.31 |
$36,010 |
Median |
$ 18.01 |
$37,460 |
75% |
$ 20.56 |
$42,770 |
90% |
$ 20.78 |
$43,230 |
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Average |
$ 19.02 |
$39,550 |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Ambulatory healthcare services
| 70% |
- Hospitals; state, local, and private
| 21% |
- Nursing and residential care facilities
| 4% |
- Administrative and support services
| 1% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 1% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- 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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- 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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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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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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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- 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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- Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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- Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- 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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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
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- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
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- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
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- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
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- Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
38 |
2030 employment |
45 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
1.7% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
6 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Short-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
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. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 10% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 9% |
Associate's degree | | 25% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 12% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 34% |
Less than high school diploma | | 10% |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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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).
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- 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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- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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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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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
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- Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
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- Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
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- Engage patients in exercises or activities.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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