Physical Therapist Aides
SOC Code: 31-2022 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Physical Therapist Aides. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $40,851 | $49,858 | $58,864 | $67,870 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $27,435 | $39,603 | $51,771 | $63,939 |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $34,840 | $44,200 | $53,581 | $62,941 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $34,424 | $43,888 | $53,373 | $62,837 |
| Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $22,006 | $35,027 | $48,027 | $61,048 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,992 | $40,685 | $50,378 | $60,070 |
| Anchorage, AK | $34,424 | $42,578 | $50,731 | $58,885 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $30,971 | $39,374 | $47,798 | $56,202 |
| Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $28,829 | $37,731 | $46,654 | $55,557 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $31,886 | $39,458 | $47,008 | $54,579 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.6 | |
| Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | |
| Instructing | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.5 |
| English Language | 4.0 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.5 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 3.3 |
| Psychology | 3.0 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.9 |
| Administrative | 2.8 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 34.4% |
| Associate's degree | 25.1% |
| Post-first professional | 10.1% |
| Less than high school | 10.1% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 9.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 8.6% |
| Some college | 2.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- 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.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Epic Systems MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Medical procedure coding software Patient record maintenance software Scheduling software Word processing software
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