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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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