[Core] [60% incumbents] Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
  DWAs: Encourage patients during therapeutic activities. | Engage patients in exercises or activities.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
  DWAs: Document client health or progress. | Record patient medical histories.

[Core] [60% incumbents] 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.
  DWAs: Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. | Prepare medical reports or documents. | Communicate patient status to other health practitioners.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
  DWAs: Engage patients in exercises or activities. | Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  DWAs: Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
  DWAs: Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
  DWAs: Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
  DWAs: Assist patients with daily activities.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
  DWAs: Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
  DWAs: Move patients to or from treatment areas. | Adjust positions of patients on beds or tables.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
  DWAs: Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
  DWAs: Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
  DWAs: Attend educational events to update medical knowledge. | Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
  DWAs: Fit patients for assistive devices.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids. | Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
  DWAs: Perform clerical work in medical settings. | Inventory medical supplies or equipment.

[Supplemental] [58% incumbents] Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
  DWAs: Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

[Supplemental] [58% incumbents] Perform therapeutic wound care.
  DWAs: Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

[Core] [57% incumbents] Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
  DWAs: Monitor medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.

[Supplemental] [57% incumbents] Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
  DWAs: Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. | Prepare patient treatment areas for use.

--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Monitoring (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.25 lvl:3.88) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.25 lvl:3.88) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Learning (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.88 lvl:3.12) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Science (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  Mathematics (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — Using mathematics to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:4.52 lvl:5.24) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:4.24 lvl:3.76) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  English Language (imp:4.19 lvl:3.81) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Education and Training (imp:3.92 lvl:4.12) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Psychology (imp:3.64 lvl:5.27) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:3.50 lvl:3.48) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Computers and Electronics (imp:3.44 lvl:3.98) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Biology (imp:3.38 lvl:3.75) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Administrative (imp:2.97 lvl:3.33) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.85 lvl:2.58) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Administration and Management (imp:2.61 lvl:2.94) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Law and Government (imp:2.57 lvl:2.39) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:2.48 lvl:1.84) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Mathematics (imp:2.43 lvl:2.52) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Physics (imp:2.39 lvl:2.03) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.13 lvl:1.41) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Chemistry (imp:2.04 lvl:1.92) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.96 lvl:1.43) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Communications and Media (imp:1.94 lvl:1.80) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Geography (imp:1.90 lvl:1.64) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.83 lvl:1.41) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Foreign Language (imp:1.79 lvl:1.53) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.79) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Mechanical (imp:1.70 lvl:0.97) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Engineering and Technology (imp:1.48) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Design (imp:1.34 lvl:0.72) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Building and Construction (imp:1.31) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Production and Processing (imp:1.28) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Telecommunications (imp:1.27) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Transportation (imp:1.21) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Food Production (imp:1.06) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  History and Archeology (imp:1.06) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Fine Arts (imp:1.02) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Expression (imp:4.12 lvl:4.12) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Oral Comprehension (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.88 lvl:3.75) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.50) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Near Vision (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Written Expression (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.25 lvl:3.62) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Selective Attention (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Information Ordering (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Static Strength (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Visualization (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Finger Dexterity (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Trunk Strength (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Far Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Time Sharing (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Originality (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.50 lvl:2.62) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Stamina (imp:2.50 lvl:2.62) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Control Precision (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Memorization (imp:2.12 lvl:2.25) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:2.12 lvl:1.25) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Rate Control (imp:2.00 lvl:1.00) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Reaction Time (imp:2.00 lvl:1.00) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Depth Perception (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Response Orientation (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.75 lvl:1.38) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.00) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:4.99 lvl:5.56) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.91 lvl:4.65) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:4.79 lvl:5.05) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:4.68 lvl:4.83) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.65 lvl:5.20) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:4.63 lvl:4.78) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:4.46 lvl:5.07) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.27 lvl:5.19) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:4.22 lvl:3.94) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Getting Information (imp:4.21 lvl:4.29) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Working with Computers (imp:4.14 lvl:3.91) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.10 lvl:4.46) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.71 lvl:2.51) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.67 lvl:5.26) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.66 lvl:3.73) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.60 lvl:4.86) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:3.55 lvl:3.69) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.52 lvl:4.51) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.52 lvl:3.13) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Processing Information (imp:3.51 lvl:3.53) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.49 lvl:3.75) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.40 lvl:3.36) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.26 lvl:3.40) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.23 lvl:3.48) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:3.17 lvl:3.20) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.16 lvl:3.07) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.16 lvl:3.19) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.13 lvl:3.63) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.95 lvl:1.96) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.95 lvl:2.88) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.79 lvl:2.99) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.69 lvl:2.40) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:2.68 lvl:2.69) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.66 lvl:2.74) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.56 lvl:1.82) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:2.20 lvl:1.85) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:2.19 lvl:1.82) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.18 lvl:1.74) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:2.15 lvl:2.19) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.05 lvl:1.80) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.57 lvl:0.94) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:7.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:6.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Cooperation (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Social Orientation (imp:3.00) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cooperation (imp:2.64) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Dependability (imp:2.59) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Empathy (imp:2.57) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.44) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Social Orientation (imp:2.22) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Integrity (imp:2.17) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Optimism (imp:2.02) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Empathy (imp:2.00) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Sincerity (imp:1.94) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Self-Control (imp:1.91) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Cautiousness (imp:1.76) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Perseverance (imp:1.70) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.49) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Adaptability (imp:1.48) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Achievement Orientation (imp:1.42) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Humility (imp:1.22) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.21) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Initiative (imp:1.10) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:1.05) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Optimism (imp:1.00) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Innovation (imp:0.97) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:0.72) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:0.64) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.75 lvl:3.75) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.25 lvl:3.75) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Coordination (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Instructing (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Persuasion (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Time Management (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Negotiation (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Equipment Selection (imp:2.12 lvl:1.62) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Operation and Control (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.88 lvl:1.62) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Technology Design (imp:1.88 lvl:1.25) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Programming (imp:1.75 lvl:1.00) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Repairing (imp:1.62 lvl:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 112,430
  annual_median    : $68,380
  annual_pct10     : $47,750
  annual_pct25     : $59,820
  annual_pct75     : $78,680
  annual_pct90     : $89,510
  annual_mean      : $68,730
  hourly_median    : $32.88

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : California ($83,110)
  lowest_state     : Puerto Rico ($29,710)
  dispersion_ratio : 2.797x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (52 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:  109,310  median: $  68,590
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:    1,150  median: $  64,740
  Educational Services                     emp:      880  median: $  60,310
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      480  median: $  64,310
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:       80  median: $  73,490

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (5 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:  109,310  median: $  68,590
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:    1,150  median: $  64,740
  Educational Services                     emp:      880  median: $  60,310
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      480  median: $  64,310
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emp:       80  median: $  73,490

exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Physical therapy
match_score        : 0.6667
wikidata_qid       : Q186005
word_count         : 5,305
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:52:50.297904Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists. It focuses on promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through patient education, physical interventions, disease prevention, and health promotion. The term physical therapist or physiotherapist is used to represent the trained person providing physical therapy.
The profession has many specialties including musculoskeletal, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, neurology, endocrinology, sports medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, women's health, wound care and electromyography. PTs practice in many settings, both public and private.
In addition to clinical practice, other aspects of physical therapy include research, education, consultation, and health administration. Physical therapists provide primary care patient management in conjunction with other medical services. In some jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, physical therapists may have the authority to prescribe medication.


== Overview ==
Physical therapy addresses illnesses or injuries that limit a person's ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs use an individual's history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a management plan and, when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Physical therapists can use sonography to diagnose and manage common musculoskeletal, nerve, and pulmonary conditions. Electrodiagnostic testing (e.g., electromyograms and nerve conduction velocity testing) may also be used.
PT management commonly includes the prescription of, or assistance with, specific exercises, manual therapy, and bodily manipulation. Additional treatments include mechanical devices such as traction; education; electrophysical modalities which include heat, cold, electricity, sound waves, and radiation; assistive devices; prostheses; and orthoses. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles, and providing services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain, and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout life. This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease, or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.
Physical therapy is a profession which has many specialties including musculoskeletal, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, neurology, endocrinology, sports medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, women's health, wound care and electromyography. PTs practice in many settings, such as privately owned physical therapy clinics, outpatient clinics or offices, hospitals, health and wellness clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centers, schools, hospices, industrial workplaces or other occupational environments, fitness centers and sports training facilities.
Physical therapists also practice in non-patient care roles such as health policy, health insurance, health care administration, and as health care executives. Physical therapists are involved in the medical-legal field serving as experts, performing peer review and independent medical examinations.
Education varies greatly by country. The span of education ranges from some countries having little formal education to others having doctoral degrees and post-doctoral residencies and fellowships.
Regarding its relationship to other healthcare professions, physiotherapy is typically one of the allied health professions. World Physiotherapy has signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the four other members of the World Health Professions Alliance "to enhance their joint collaboration on protecting and investing in the health workforce to provide safe, quality and equitable care in all settings".


== History ==

Physicians like Hippocrates and later Galen are believed to have been the first practitioners of physical therapy, advocating massage, manual therapy techniques and hydrotherapy to treat people in 460 BC.
In the book "De Arte Gymnastica" (The Art of Gymnastics, published in 1569), the Italian physician Hieronymus Mercurialis (1530–1606) introduced the term "medical gymnastics," highlighting one of the meanings of "gymnastics" as a dedicated rehabilitative tool for disabled subjects of any age.
The Italian physiologist and mathematician Alfonso Borelli (1608–1679) achieved significant scientific results in the field of animal and human biomechanics. His tractate "De Motu Animalium" (On the Movement of Animals), published in 1680, just after his death, provided a practical framework for understanding disordered and pathological movement patterns in ill and disabled people.
In the 18th century, the French physician Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard (1658–1742) established a solid link between the health of the musculoskeletal apparatus and physical exercise, and in his book "Traité d'orthopédie" (Treatise on Orthopaedics, 1741), he introduced the new term "orthopaedics". After Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard, this knowledge became fundamental for understanding correct exercises in physical rehabilitation. After the development of orthopedics in the eighteenth century, machines like the Gymnasticon were developed to treat gout and similar diseases by systematic exercise of the joints, similar to later developments in physical therapy.
The earliest documented origins of actual physical therapy as a professional group date back to Per Henrik Ling, the "Father of Swedish Gymnastics," who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for joint manipulation and exercise. Up until 2014, the Swedish word for a physical therapist was sjukgymnast, or someone involved in gymnastics for those who are ill, but the title was then changed to fysioterapeut (physiotherapist), the word used in the other Scandinavian countries. In 1887, PTs were given official registration by Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare. Other countries soon followed. In 1894, four nurses in Great Britain formed the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Other early associations of physical therapists include the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago in New Zealand in 1913, and the United States 1914 Reed College in Portland, Oregon, which graduated "reconstruction aides." Since the profession's inception, spinal manipulative therapy has been a major component of the practice of physical therapy.
Modern physical therapy was established towards the end of the 19th century due to events that affected bodily health on a global scale, which called for rapid advances in physical therapy. Following this, American orthopedic surgeons began treating children with disabilities and employed women trained in physical education, and remedial exercise. These treatments were further applied and promoted during the polio outbreak of 1916.
During the First World War, women were recruited to work with and restore physical function to injured soldiers, and the field of physical therapy was institutionalized. In 1918 the term "Reconstruction Aide" was used to refer to individuals practicing physical therapy. The first school of physical therapy was established at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., following the outbreak of World War I. Treatment through the 1940s primarily consisted of exercise, massage, and traction. Manipulative procedures to the spine and joints of the extremities began to be practiced, especially in the British Commonwealth countries, in the early 1950s.
Around the time polio vaccines were developed, the presence of physical therapists became normalized in hospitals throughout North America and Europe. In the late 1950s, physical therapists star

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (similarity: 0.3953)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commission_on_Accreditation_in_Physical_Therapy_Education
  QID: Q5152692
  Extract: The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is the agency recognized by the United States Department of Education for granting accreditation status to entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The stated mission of CAPTE inclu

  Title: Ohlone College (similarity: 0.1860)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohlone_College
  QID: Q7081084
  Extract: Ohlone College  is a public community college, a member of the California Community College System, with its main campus in Fremont and a second campus in Newark. The Ohlone Community College District serves Fremont, Newark, and parts of Union City.

  Title: Occupational therapy (similarity: 0.4490)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_therapy
  QID: Q380141
  Extract: Occupational therapy (OT), also known as ergotherapy in Europe, is a healthcare profession that helps people take part in the everyday activities, or occupations, that are important for daily life. These occupations include self-care tasks, work, school, social participation, and leisure activities.

  Title: Nursing home (similarity: 0.2439)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_home
  QID: Q837142
  Extract: A nursing home is a facility for the residential care of older people, senior citizens, or disabled people. Nursing homes may also be referred to as care homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), rest homes, long-term care facilities or more informally old people's homes. Often, these terms have slig

  Title: Home care in the United States (similarity: 0.5085)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_care_in_the_United_States
  QID: Q104813447
  Extract: Home care is supportive care provided in the home. Care may be provided by licensed healthcare professionals who provide medical treatment needs or by professional caregivers who provide daily assistance to ensure the activities of daily living (ADLs) are met. In-home medical care is often and more 

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : High confidence due to comprehensive O*NET data including detailed tasks, work activities, and clear education pathways. BLS wage data provides authoritative market intelligence. The role has well-established professional standards and licensing requirements.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T20:11:42.344754+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,783
tokens_output        : 4,134
cost_usd             : $0.044342
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Physical therapy
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia match covers the broader physical therapy field, providing context for the healthcare profession that Physical Therapist Assistants support. This reinforces the role's position within the established healthcare discipline focused on patient mobility and functional improvement.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Physical Therapist Assistants work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists to help patients recover mobility and manage pain through therapeutic exercises and treatments. They provide hands-on patient care, monitor progress, document treatment responses, and educate patients on proper techniques for functional improvement. This role serves as a critical bridge between the supervising therapist's treatment plan and direct patient implementation.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A typical day involves instructing and motivating patients through prescribed exercises, ensuring their safety during therapeutic activities, and documenting their progress and responses to treatments. They secure patients onto therapy equipment, administer manual therapeutic exercises or treatments like therapeutic massage and heat therapy, and assist patients with mobility aids such as braces or prostheses. Time is spent cleaning and maintaining equipment, conferring with physical therapy staff about patient care plans, and helping patients with basic activities like dressing when supportive devices are involved. Documentation of patient information and progress notes represents a significant portion of daily responsibilities.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate high dependability and attention to detail, as patient safety and accurate progress monitoring are paramount. Strong social orientation and service mindset are essential, given the intensive patient interaction and care focus reflected in the high Social RIASEC score of 6.41. Effective oral communication skills and active listening abilities enable successful patient instruction and team collaboration. Those who thrive possess a genuine desire to help others recover and improve their physical function, combined with the physical stamina needed for hands-on therapeutic work.

CAREER ENTRY:
The vast majority of Physical Therapist Assistants (84.2%) enter through associate degree programs, typically taking two years to complete with coursework in anatomy, physiology, therapeutic techniques, and clinical practice. Most states require licensure or certification, often involving passing a national examination after graduation. Clinical internships during education provide essential hands-on experience under supervision before independent practice.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Physical Therapist Assistants can advance to senior PTA roles with specialized certifications in areas like aquatic therapy or geriatric care. Some pursue bachelor's degrees to become licensed Physical Therapists, though this requires additional graduate-level education. Others may transition to related healthcare support roles or move into healthcare administration, training, or equipment sales where their clinical experience provides valuable expertise.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Employment of 112,430 workers reflects strong demand in the healthcare sector, with median annual wages of $68,380 according to BLS OEWS May 2025. Geographic wage variation is significant, ranging from $29,710 in Puerto Rico to $83,110 in California, representing a 2.80x ratio difference. The overwhelming majority (97.2%) work in Health Care and Social Assistance, indicating concentrated industry demand. Job Zone 3 classification suggests medium preparation requirements, making this an accessible entry point into allied health careers with competitive compensation.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
This role has low automation risk due to the high importance of hands-on patient care, interpersonal relationships, and real-time assessment of patient responses during therapy. The core activities of assisting and caring for others, establishing interpersonal relationships, and performing physical activities with patients require human judgment, empathy, and adaptability that current automation cannot replicate.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [career_pathway] Physical Therapist Aides (31-2022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Direct career progression pathway as both work in physical therapy settings with PTAs having higher education requirements and responsibilities.
    data: Both in healthcare support vertical
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Similar work environment
  [skill_overlap] Occupational Therapy Assistants (31-2011.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share therapeutic assistance functions with high patient care focus and similar Social RIASEC scores.
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Customer and Personal Service knowledge
    data: Assisting and Caring work activity
  [riasec_cluster] Respiratory Therapists (29-1126.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both demonstrate high Social orientation in healthcare delivery with patient care and treatment focus.
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Healthcare setting
    data: Patient treatment activities
  [task_similarity] Medical Assistants (31-9092.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Shared responsibilities in patient documentation, equipment maintenance, and direct patient care support.
    data: Documenting/Recording Information work activity
    data: Patient care focus
    data: Healthcare support role
  [knowledge_overlap] Recreational Therapists (29-1125.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both utilize Therapy and Counseling knowledge and Psychology knowledge in patient treatment approaches.
    data: Therapy and Counseling knowledge area
    data: Psychology knowledge
    data: Patient education activities

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['physical therapist assistant', 'physical therapy assistant', 'PTA', 'licensed physical therapist assistant', 'certified physical therapist assistant', 'physiotherapy assistant', 'rehabilitation assistant', 'therapy assistant']
  exclude_keywords : ['physical therapist', 'occupational therapy', 'speech therapy', 'respiratory therapy', 'physical therapy aide']
  title_patterns   : ['Physical Therapist Assistant', 'Physical Therapy Assistant', 'PTA', 'Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant', 'Certified Physical Therapist Assistant']
  common_variations: ['PTA', 'Physical Therapy Assistant', 'Licensed PTA', 'LPTA', 'Certified PTA', 'CPTA', 'Home Health PTA', 'Outpatient PTA']

total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['physical', 'therapy', 'care', 'patients', 'therapists', 'others', 'tendency', 'health', 'patient', 'equipment', 'treatment', 'medical', 'therapist', 'activities', 'states', 'college', 'rehabilitation', 'physiotherapy', 'united', 'practice']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
physical                  180  0.03100  wikipedia            wikipedia:87%  inference:6%  onet_dimensions:3%
therapy                    98  0.01688  wikipedia            wikipedia:88%  inference:6%  onet_tasks:3%
care                       63  0.01085  wikipedia            wikipedia:81%  inference:10%  dwas:5%
patients                   58  0.00999  wikipedia            wikipedia:45%  dwas:26%  onet_tasks:16%
therapists                 52  0.00895  wikipedia            wikipedia:96%  inference:4%
others                     43  0.00741  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:7%  onet_tasks:2%
tendency                   43  0.00741  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:98%  wikipedia:2%
health                     41  0.00706  wikipedia            wikipedia:83%  dwas:10%  inference:5%
patient                    39  0.00672  wikipedia            wikipedia:46%  inference:26%  dwas:18%
equipment                  39  0.00672  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:59%  onet_tasks:15%  dwas:15%
treatment                  36  0.00620  wikipedia            wikipedia:53%  onet_tasks:17%  dwas:17%
medical                    32  0.00551  dwas                 dwas:50%  wikipedia:47%  onet_dimensions:3%
therapist                  28  0.00482  wikipedia            wikipedia:79%  inference:18%  onet_tasks:4%
activities                 27  0.00465  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:33%  wikipedia:26%  dwas:15%
states                     24  0.00413  wikipedia            wikipedia:96%  inference:4%
college                    22  0.00379  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
rehabilitation             21  0.00362  wikipedia            wikipedia:95%  onet_dimensions:5%
physiotherapy              21  0.00362  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
united                     21  0.00362  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
practice                   20  0.00344  wikipedia            wikipedia:85%  inference:10%  onet_tasks:5%
programs                   20  0.00344  wikipedia            wikipedia:75%  onet_dimensions:20%  inference:5%
include                    19  0.00327  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
physiotherapists           18  0.00310  wikipedia            wikipedia:94%  onet_tasks:6%
includes                   18  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  wikipedia:33%
techniques                 18  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:56%  wikipedia:28%  inference:11%
management                 18  0.00310  wikipedia            wikipedia:61%  onet_dimensions:39%
treatments                 17  0.00293  wikipedia            wikipedia:35%  dwas:29%  onet_tasks:18%
principles                 16  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
body                       15  0.00258  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  wikipedia:20%  onet_tasks:13%
university                 15  0.00258  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
procedures                 14  0.00241  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:57%  dwas:29%  wikipedia:14%
clinical                   14  0.00241  wikipedia            wikipedia:79%  inference:21%
therapeutic                13  0.00224  inference            inference:46%  onet_tasks:31%  wikipedia:15%
providing                  13  0.00224  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:54%  wikipedia:38%  inference:8%
control                    13  0.00224  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  wikipedia:8%
movement                   13  0.00224  wikipedia            wikipedia:69%  onet_dimensions:31%
sports                     13  0.00224  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
devices                    12  0.00207  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:42%  onet_tasks:25%  wikipedia:17%
pain                       12  0.00207  wikipedia            wikipedia:83%  onet_tasks:8%  inference:8%
problems                   12  0.00207  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  wikipedia:25%