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.
Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
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.
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
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.
Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
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.
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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