Physical Therapist Aides

People in this career often have these skills:

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

People in this career often know a lot about:

• 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.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• 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.

People in this career often have talent in:

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

People in this career often do these activities:

• Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
• Clean medical equipment.
• Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
• Engage patients in exercises or activities.
• Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.

• Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
• Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
• Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
• Maintain medical records.
• Move patients to or from treatment areas.
• Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
• Perform clerical work in medical settings.
• Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
• Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
• Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
• Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
• Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
• Assist patients with daily activities.
• Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
• Fit patients for assistive devices.

• Personal Care Aides

• Home Health Aides

• Occupational Therapy Aides

• Childcare Workers

• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

• Pharmacy Aides

• Shampooers

• Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers

• Bartenders

• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers