Physical Therapist Assistants
O*NET Code: 31-2021.00
Education Level
Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Associate degree or apprenticeship
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.
🗺️ Explore Your Career Path
Visualize advancement opportunities, lateral moves, and skill development roadmaps. See interactive career maps showing transition difficulty and salary progression.
💼 Also Known As
Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)Home Care Physical Therapy AssistantHome Health Physical Therapist AssistantHome Health Physical Therapy Assistant (Home Health PTA)Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)Licensed Physical Therapy AssistantNursing Facility PTA (Nursing Facility Physical Therapy Assistant)Outpatient Physical Therapist AssistantPer Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA)Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)Physiotherapy AssistantRehabilitation Assistant (Rehab Assistant)
⚡ Skills (15)
Active Listening4/100
Speaking4/100
Monitoring4/100
Social Perceptiveness4/100
Reading Comprehension3/100
Writing3/100
Critical Thinking3/100
Active Learning3/100
Service Orientation3/100
Coordination3/100
+ 5 more skills
📚 Knowledge (0)
💪 Abilities (0)
🔧 Technologies & Tools (33)
🔥Microsoft Access
Data base user interface and query software
🔥Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
🔥Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
🔥Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
🔥Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation software
🔥Microsoft Windows
Operating system software
🔥Microsoft Word
Word processing software
🔥eClinicalWorks EHR software
Medical software
0Accounting software
Accounting software
0Arena Health Systems Phys-X
Medical software
0Beaver Creek Software The THERAPIST
Medical software
0Billing software
Accounting software
0BioEx Systems Exercise Pro
Medical software
0Bookkeeping software
Accounting software
0Client caseload management software
Medical software
0Eazy Application Systems QuickEMR
Medical software
0Email software
Electronic mail software
0FileMaker Pro
Data base user interface and query software
0Knees Software PT DocTools
Medical software
0Laboratory information system LIS
Medical software
0Medical condition coding software
Medical software
0PhysioTools Tools RG
Medical software
0Rehab Documentation Company ReDoc Suite
Medical software
0Scheduling software
Calendar and scheduling software
0SpectraSoft AppointmentsPRO
Calendar and scheduling software
0SpectraSoft DocuPRO
Medical software
0Spreadsheet software
Spreadsheet software
0Summit Software CarePoint
Medical software
0TherAssist
Medical software
0Video game software
Action games
0Virtual reality game software
Action games
0Word processing software
Word processing software
0dBASE
Data base user interface and query software
🔄 Career Transition Paths
Occupations with similar skills and natural career progression opportunities
Physician Assistants
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 5 - Extensive Prep(↑2 levels)
Occupational Therapists
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 5 - Extensive Prep(↑2 levels)
Physical Therapists
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 5 - Extensive Prep(↑2 levels)
Radiation Therapists
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Recreational Therapists
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 4 - High Prep(↑1 level)
Respiratory Therapists
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Acute Care Nurses
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 4 - High Prep(↑1 level)
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 5 - Extensive Prep(↑2 levels)
Nurse Practitioners
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 5 - Extensive Prep(↑2 levels)
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 5 - Extensive Prep(↑2 levels)
📊 Skills Comparison
Physical Therapist Assistants → Physician Assistants
Transition Difficulty: Moderate (68% skill overlap)
✅ Transferable Skills (15)
Skills you already have that transfer to the new role
Reading Comprehension
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Critical Thinking
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Active Listening
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Writing
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Speaking
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Social Perceptiveness
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Service Orientation
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Judgment and Decision Making
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Active Learning
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Monitoring
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Complex Problem Solving
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Coordination
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Persuasion
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Time Management
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Instructing
Current: 3Target: 3
→