Occupation · SOC 31-2022
Physical Therapist Aides
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.
Median wage
$34,520
$24,960–$46,930
Projected growth
+2.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
130
per year
Employed (US)
44,010
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningService OrientationMonitoringReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationActive LearningInstructing
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsTherapy and Counseling
Technology & tools
Medical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.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.Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.Record treatment given and equipment used.Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Treatment area and therapy equipment — clean, disinfect, and organize following facility infection-control protocols after each patient session.Bed linens and pillow cases — replace and dispose of soiled materials under direct supervision in an outpatient or inpatient therapy setting.Patient safety straps and positioning supports — apply to secure patients onto therapy equipment under the close guidance of a licensed physical therapist.Wheelchair transport procedures — assist in moving patients to and from designated treatment areas while following safe-patient-handling guidelines.Basic therapy instructions — listen actively and follow verbal directions from supervising physical therapy staff during patient treatment sessions.Patient observation data — recognize and report visible changes in a patient's comfort or response to a supervising therapist during routine exercises.Simple therapeutic exercises — assist patients in completing assigned movements under step-by-step direction from licensed medical staff.Patient intake paperwork and schedule entries — read and interpret written instructions using office suite software to prepare for daily therapy assignments.Standing support techniques — provide physical assistance to patients transitioning between seated and upright positions under direct staff supervision.Therapy facility policies and safety protocols — demonstrate basic understanding and follow written procedures during the initial on-the-job training period.
developing
Post-treatment equipment disinfection routines — perform independently and consistently across multiple therapy rooms in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic.Patient transfers and wheelchair transport — execute safely with minimal oversight, applying proper body mechanics and safe-patient-handling standards throughout a full workday.Therapeutic exercise sessions — instruct and motivate patients through prescribed exercise routines, monitoring for fatigue or pain responses in a supervised outpatient gym.Heat, light, and water modality setups — prepare and apply basic therapeutic modalities, such as hot packs or whirlpool baths, following the supervising therapist's written treatment plan.Patient progress observations — compile structured notes on patient responses during treatment and relay findings clearly to the physical therapist using departmental documentation forms.Treatment planning discussions — participate in brief interdisciplinary check-ins with physical therapy staff, contributing relevant patient observations to support care coordination.Therapeutic massage techniques — administer passive manual therapies as directed, adjusting pressure and positioning based on patient feedback within a familiar clinical setting.Electronic scheduling and patient records — update calendar and scheduling software entries and send routine email communications to coordinate therapy appointments.Patient linen and supply inventory — manage restocking of clean linens and disposable supplies between sessions to maintain uninterrupted clinic operations.Active learning from clinical feedback — incorporate corrections and technique adjustments from supervising therapists into ongoing patient care practice within a rehabilitation department.
proficient
Full-scope aide responsibilities — execute all daily tasks autonomously, including equipment setup, patient transport, exercise instruction, and post-treatment cleanup, across a busy outpatient or hospital-based therapy department.Complex patient observation and reporting — evaluate and document nuanced changes in patient functional progress or adverse responses and communicate findings using structured written reports reviewed by the physical therapist.Adaptive exercise assistance — modify instructional approach and physical support techniques for patients with varied mobility limitations, behavioral challenges, or comorbidities in a non-routine clinical scenario.Therapeutic modality administration — apply a broad range of modalities, including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic massage, consistently and accurately according to individualized treatment plans.Patient-centered communication — use social perceptiveness and empathetic speaking skills to motivate patients experiencing pain or discouragement, sustaining engagement throughout the rehabilitation process.Multidisciplinary care coordination — confer regularly with physical therapists, nursing staff, and case managers to share patient data and contribute to modifications in treatment plans.Time management across high-volume caseloads — prioritize and sequence patient transport, treatment setup, and documentation tasks efficiently during peak clinic hours without compromising care quality.Safety incident recognition and escalation — identify early warning signs of patient distress or equipment malfunction and initiate the appropriate clinical response protocol in an inpatient rehabilitation unit.New aide orientation support — demonstrate correct procedures for equipment use, patient securing, and hygiene protocols to newly hired aides under the guidance of supervising therapists.Medical software utilization — accurately enter, retrieve, and cross-reference patient treatment data within departmental medical software to support continuity of care across shift changes.
advanced
Departmental workflow systems — design and implement standardized aide scheduling, supply management, and patient transport protocols that optimize throughput across a multi-room rehabilitation department.Aide team performance and development — coach and evaluate a team of physical therapist aides, providing structured feedback and facilitating skills development aligned with facility competency standards.Clinical quality improvement initiatives — lead data collection and analysis on aide-delivered treatment outcomes, presenting findings and recommending process changes to physical therapy leadership.Interdisciplinary collaboration strategy — serve as the primary liaison between aide staff and licensed therapy professionals, ensuring consistent information exchange and coordinated patient care planning.New staff training curriculum — develop and deliver onboarding programs covering therapeutic techniques, safety protocols, modality administration, and documentation practices for an entire rehabilitation support team.Technology integration and adoption — evaluate, recommend, and train staff on medical software, scheduling platforms, and electronic communication tools to improve departmental efficiency and record accuracy.Patient safety culture — champion and enforce adherence to safe-patient-handling standards, infection control practices, and equipment maintenance schedules across all aide staff in the facility.Regulatory and policy compliance — interpret updated healthcare regulations and translate requirements into operational procedures, ensuring the aide team meets accreditation and compliance standards.Mentorship and professional growth planning — identify high-potential aides and guide their development through targeted learning opportunities, supporting advancement within the healthcare support career pathway.Stakeholder reporting and administrative communication — prepare comprehensive written summaries of aide team activities, patient volume trends, and operational challenges for presentation to physical therapy directors and facility administrators.
Also known as
69 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Medical Specialist Corps Officer (Army 65)Dental Assistant (Air Force 4Y0X1)Physical Therapist, Special Warfare (Air Force 42B3Z)Physical Therapy Specialist (Army 68F)Physical Therapist (Air Force 42B1)Occupational Therapist (Air Force 42T3)Physical Medicine Helper, Orthotic (Air Force 4J012A)Physical Medicine Journeyman, Orthotic (Air Force 4J052A)Occupational Therapist (Air Force 42T4)Physical Medicine Journeyman (Air Force 4J052)Rehabilitation AidePT Attendant (Physical Therapy Attendant)Occupational Therapy Assistant (Navy 003055)Physical Therapy Aide (PTA)Outpatient Therapy AideOccupational Therapist (Navy 0874)Rehabilitation AttendantDental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force 4A091)Physical Therapist, Special Warfare (Air Force 42B4Z)Physical Therapist (Air Force 42B3)Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A071S)Physiotherapy AidePhysical Therapist, Special Warfare (Air Force 42B1Z)Restorative Aide (RA)Rehabilitation Therapy AidePhysical Medicine Craftsman, Orthotic (Air Force 4J072A)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Outpatient AideOccupational Therapist (Air Force 42T1)Health Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Physical Therapist Aide (PTA)Physical Therapy AideHealth Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard MED)PT Tech (Physical Therapy Technician)Occupational Therapy (Army 65A)Physical Medicine (Air Force 4J0X2)Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force 4Y051H)Therapy Aide