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Physical Therapist Aides - 31-2022.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • 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

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
  • Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
  • Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
  • Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
  • Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
  • Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
  • Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
  • Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.
  • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
  • Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.
  • Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
  • Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
  • Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest.
  • Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
  • Record treatment given and equipment used.
  • Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.
  • Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  • Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
  • Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
  • Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
  • Assist patients with daily activities.
  • Clean medical equipment.
  • Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
  • Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
  • Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
  • Engage patients in exercises or activities.
  • Fit patients for assistive devices.
  • Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
  • Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
  • Maintain medical records.
  • Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
  • Perform clerical work in medical settings.
  • Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
  • Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
  • Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Medical Specialist Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapy (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Apprentice, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Craftsman, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Helper, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Journeyman, Orthotic (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Medicine Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Physical Therapist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physical Therapist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physical Therapist, Special Warfare (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physical Therapy (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physical Therapy Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Physical Therapy Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Specialist Allied Operations (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Physical Therapy Aide

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Physical Therapy Aide