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.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

People in this career often do these activities:

• Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
• Clean medical equipment.
• Engage patients in exercises or activities.
• Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
• Maintain medical records.
• Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

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

• Home Health Aides

• Personal Care Aides

• Occupational Therapy Aides

• Pharmacy Aides

• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

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

• Bartenders

• Shampooers

• Childcare Workers

• Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers