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PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS
An Occupation in
 
Occupation 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.
 
Career Video:
  Video Icon  Physical Therapist Assistants
  Open-captioning or video transcript included for the hearing impaired. Career videos brought to you by CareerOneStop. Copyright © 2017 All Rights Reserved.
 
Typical Tasks:
 
 
  • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
  • Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
  • 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.
  • Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
  • Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  • Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
  • Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
 
Knowledge:
 
 
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction..
  • Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance..
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar..
  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects..
  • Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders..
  • Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures..
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming..
 
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Education & Training:
 
  Associate degree
 
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site
 
Wage Information:
 
 
Region Average Annual Average Hourly Entry Level (hourly) Mid-Range  (hourly)
Statewide $67,415.00 $32.41 $20.79 $25.33 - $39.09
Bridgeport/Stamford $69,012.00 $33.18 $22.13 $25.41 - $39.78
Danbury $63,539.00 $30.55 $18.79 $22.76 - $37.33
Hartford $70,002.00 $33.66 $23.17 $30.44 - $38.75
New Haven $63,570.00 $30.56 $17.20 $16.49 - $38.48
New London/Norwich $65,456.00 $31.47 $22.02 $29.47 - $37.16
Waterbury $67,095.00 $32.25 $19.85 $22.44 - $39.19
Torrington $61,168.00 $29.41 $16.89 $17.09 - $38.40
      
Select a town to see its region Not sure which Region applies to you?
    

 
Occupation Outlook:
 
 
Region Employment Average Annual Growth Rate Average Annual Job Openings
2022 2032
State of Connecticut 850 1,050 0.2% 149
 
 
Chart of Growth Rate and Annual Openings   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.
Key:
  N/A = Not Applicable, ***** = Over $60.00 per hour, ##### = Over $124,821
 
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