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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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