Physical Therapist Assistants
Did You Know:*
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average.
- Physical therapist assistants should have very good job prospects; on the other hand, aides may face keen competition from the large pool of qualified applicants.
- Aides usually learn skills on the job, while physical therapist assistants have an associate degree; most states require licensing for assistants.
- Most jobs are in offices of other health practitioners and in hospitals.
Industry Areas
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Nursing Care Facilities
Day-to-Day Tasks*
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- 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.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
Overall Kind of Work*
Physical therapist assistants and aides help physical therapists to provide treatment that improves patient mobility, relieves pain and prevents or lessens physical disabilities of patients. A phy...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Physical therapist assistants and aides need a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with their treatment. In some cases, assistants and aides...
Military
Therapy specialists work in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 7.92% (0-20 Hours)
- 30.32% (21-34 Hours)
- 9.44% (35-39 Hours)
- 50.56% (40 Hours)
- 1.75% (41-49 Hours)
This data also pertains to Physical therapist assistants and aides (31-2020)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People:
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards: 
Physical Activity: 
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 78.78% (Private For-Profit)
- 14.98% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 4.85% (State and Local Govt)
- 0.69% (Federal Government)
- 0.69% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Physical Therapist Assistants And Aides
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
318 Physical Therapist Assistants in the military