Physical Therapist Aides

• Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
• Record treatment given and equipment used.
• Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
• Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
• Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.
• Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
• Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
• Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
• Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.
• Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Physical Therapist Aides.

• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Physical Therapist Aides.