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O*NET-SOC 31-2022.00

Physical Therapist Aides

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.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3
  1. Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.Core4273
  2. Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.Core4276
  3. Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.Core4275
  4. Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.Core4278
  5. Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.Core4274
  6. Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.Core4283
  7. Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.Core4282
  8. Record treatment given and equipment used.Supplemental4279
  9. Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.Core4277
  10. Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.Supplemental4286
  11. Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.Core4280
  12. Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.Core15251
  13. Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.Supplemental4287
  14. Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.Core4284
  15. Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.Supplemental4290
  16. Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.Core4285
  17. Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.Core4281
  18. Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.Supplemental4288
  19. Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest.Supplemental4289

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 9 examples in 6 categories, 6 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Medical software

  • Epic SystemsHot Technology
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • MEDITECH softwareHot Technology
  • Patient record maintenance software

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft OutlookHot Technology

Word processing software

  • Microsoft WordHot Technology

Calendar and scheduling software

  • Scheduling software

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

  • Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

  • Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Scheduling Work and Activities

  • Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

  • Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Clean medical equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

  • Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Documenting/Recording Information

  • Maintain medical records.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  • Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Assisting and Caring for Others

  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Fit patients for assistive devices.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Assist patients with daily activities.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Developing and Building Teams

  • Encourage patients during therapeutic activities.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Training and Teaching Others

  • Engage patients in exercises or activities.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing Administrative Activities

  • Perform clerical work in medical settings.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Monitoring and Controlling Resources

  • Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 20
Distinct tools0
Level mix
  • No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.