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)”

Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
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.
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.
Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
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.
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.
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
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.
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.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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Client caseload management software
FileMaker Pro
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Laboratory information system LIS
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Microsoft Excel
Scheduling software
PhysioGraphic
Arena Health Systems Phys-X
PhysioTools Tools RG
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