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)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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Gait belts
Iontopheresis equipment
Digital video cameras
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Posture grids
Powder boards
Ultrasound machines
Cardiac monitors
Wheelchairs
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Parallel bars
Hi-lo manipulation tables
Therapeutic hot packs
Functional electrical stimulation FES equipment
Below-the-knee prosthetics
Resistive exercise bands
Safety goggles
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Notebook computers
Therapeutic treadmill exercisers
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Total lift chairs
Short wave diathermy devices
Desktop computers
High-voltage Galvanic stimulation machines
Hoyer lifts
Swiss exercise balls
Intermittent compression units
Reciprocating walkers
Body-fat calipers
Reachers
Massage equipment
Slings
Cold packs
Ergometers
Sacro-illiac joint lumbar corsets
Paraffin baths
Continuous passive motion CPM equipment
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Hand grips
Crutches
Lower-body isokinetic machines
Ultraviolet UV phototherapy lamps
Tilt tables
Patient positioning devices
Knee braces
Splints
Balance boards
Standing tables
Tablet computers
Above-the-knee prosthetics
Back braces
Stationary bicycles
Front-wheel walkers
Surgical masks
Ankle-foot orthotics
Platform walkers
Mechanical stethoscopes
Rotating bed
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Goniometers
Automated external defibrillators AED
Blood pressure cuffs
Sliding boards
Electromyographs EMG
Hydrotherapy pools
Inclinometers
Personal computers
Upper-body isokinetic machines
Digital cameras
Exercise trampolines
Medicine balls
Whirlpool therapy baths
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Standing cages
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