Will “Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

1.8% Chance of Automation

“Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)” will not be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #83 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 31-2021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 56,850.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 27.00
Currently, there are 85,580 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Physical Therapist Assistants”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)”

Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
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.
Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.

Related Technology & Tools

Cold packs
Tablet computers
Massage equipment
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation TENS equipment
Ankle-foot orthotics
Rotating bed
Mechanical stethoscopes
Hi-lo manipulation tables
Inclinometers
Pelvic traction equipment
Lower-body isokinetic machines
Hemi walkers
Desktop computers
Back braces
Ultrasound machines
Personal computers
Gait belts
Sacro-illiac joint lumbar corsets
Stretchers
Safety goggles
Therapeutic treadmill exercisers
Ultraviolet UV phototherapy lamps
Blood pressure cuffs
Hoyer lifts
Wrist splints
Exercise trampolines
Continuous passive motion CPM equipment
Portable oxygen equipment
Safety gloves
Hand grips
Functional electrical stimulation FES equipment
Balance beams
Platform walkers
Resistive exercise bands
Medicine balls
Standing tables
Iontopheresis equipment
Surgical masks
Cervical traction equipment
Crutches
Arm prosthetics
Digital cameras
Free weights
Wheelchairs
Paraffin baths
Slings
Front-wheel walkers
Plumb lines
Balance boards
Quad canes
Ergometers
Single point canes
Body-fat calipers
Digital video cameras
High-voltage Galvanic stimulation machines
Lavage hydrotherapy equipment
Electromyographs EMG
Swiss exercise balls
Knee braces
Reachers
Hydrotherapy pools
Pick-up walkers
Mechanical percussors
Intermittent compression units
Notebook computers
Upper-body isokinetic machines
Interferential electrical stimulation machines
Automated external defibrillators AED
Protective gowns
Reciprocating walkers
Medical nasal cannulae
Patient positioning devices
Sliding boards
Reflex hammers
Standing cages
Short wave diathermy devices
Powder boards
Splints
Below-the-knee prosthetics
Above-the-knee prosthetics
Therapeutic hot packs
Whirlpool therapy baths
Cardiac monitors
Sequential compression devices
Posture grids
Goniometers
Total lift chairs
Tilt tables
Stationary bicycles
Parallel bars
Pulse oximeters

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