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

1.8% Chance of Automation

“Physical Therapy 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 Therapy Assistant (PTA)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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