According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. | 89% |
| Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment. | 89% |
| Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff. | 87% |
| Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment. | 85% |
| Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist. | 84% |
| Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases. | 84% |
| Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. | 84% |
| Record treatment given and equipment used. | 84% |
| Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support. | 84% |
| Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. | 83% |
| Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms. | 80% |
| Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. | 79% |
| Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules. | 79% |
| Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order. | 77% |
| Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment. | 74% |
| Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings. | 72% |
| Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories. | 71% |
| Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed. | 67% |
| Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest. | 61% |
