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31-2021.00 · Task explorer

Physical Therapist Assistants: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 21 tasks, including 18 marked Core and 3 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2020.

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21 tasks shown

Core · Task 2008 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.

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Core · Task 21192 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.

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Core · Task 15247 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

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.

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Core · Task 21193 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.

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Core · Task 2013 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

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Core · Task 2009 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.

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Core · Task 15248 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.

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Core · Task 2016 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.

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Core · Task 2018 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.

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Core · Task 15249 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.

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Core · Task 2012 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.

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Core · Task 2015 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.

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Core · Task 2017 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.

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Core · Task 2019 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.

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Core · Task 15250 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.

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Core · Task 2014 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.

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Core · Task 2023 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.

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Core · Task 2021 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.

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Supplemental · Task 2022 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.

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Supplemental · Task 2020 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.

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Supplemental · Task 21194 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform therapeutic wound care.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.