(Career Asssessments, Exploration & Counselling)
Career: Physical Therapist Assistants
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 Tasks
Importance %age |
Task Description |
100
|
Instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients as they practice exercises and functional activities. |
100
|
Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment. |
100
|
Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, and slings. |
99
|
Communicate with or instruct caregivers and family members on patient therapeutic activities and treatment plans. |
99
|
Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities. |
98
|
Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. |
97
|
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. |
96
|
Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. |
95
|
Administer active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, and heat, light, sound, and electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. |
94
|
Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. |
90
|
Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment. |
88
|
Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices, such as crutches. |
88
|
Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, and filling out forms. |
81
|
Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. |
76
|
Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment. |
66
|
Administer traction to relieve neck and back pain, using intermittent and static traction equipment. |
59
|
Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists. |
36
|
Perform postural drainage, percussions and vibrations, and teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions. |
Work Activities
Importance %age |
Activity Description |
78
|
Assisting and Caring for Others
|
77
|
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
|
76
|
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
|
72
|
Getting Information
|
71
|
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
|
68
|
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
|
65
|
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
|
62
|
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
|
62
|
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
|
62
|
Documenting/Recording Information
|
61
|
Performing General Physical Activities
|
59
|
Thinking Creatively
|
56
|
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
|
54
|
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
|
54
|
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
|
52
|
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
|
52
|
Developing Objectives and Strategies
|
52
|
Handling and Moving Objects
|
50
|
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
|
48
|
Analyzing Data or Information
|
46
|
Processing Information
|
44
|
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
|
43
|
Training and Teaching Others
|
42
|
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
|
42
|
Scheduling Work and Activities
|
41
|
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
|
40
|
Performing Administrative Activities
|
39
|
Developing and Building Teams
|
34
|
Coaching and Developing Others
|
32
|
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
|
32
|
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
|
32
|
Controlling Machines and Processes
|
31
|
Interacting With Computers
|
27
|
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
|
27
|
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
|
25
|
Selling or Influencing Others
|
18
|
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
|
14
|
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
|
12
|
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
|
7
|
Staffing Organizational Units
|
3
|
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
|