[Core] [59% incumbents] Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
  DWAs: Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms. | Clean medical equipment.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  DWAs: Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
  DWAs: Encourage patients during therapeutic activities. | Engage patients in exercises or 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] Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
  DWAs: Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, or heat, light, sound, water, 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, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
  DWAs: Move patients to or from treatment areas.

[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.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists' schedules.
  DWAs: Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
  DWAs: Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.

[Core] [59% 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] Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.
  DWAs: Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. | Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

[Supplemental] [59% incumbents] Record treatment given and equipment used.
  DWAs: Maintain medical records.

[Supplemental] [59% incumbents] Measure patient's 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.

[Supplemental] [59% incumbents] Train patients to use orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
  DWAs: Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

[Supplemental] [59% incumbents] Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
  DWAs: Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

[Supplemental] [59% incumbents] Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.
  DWAs: Fit patients for assistive devices.

[Supplemental] [59% incumbents] Participate in patient care tasks, such as assisting with passing food trays, feeding residents, or bathing residents on bed rest.
  DWAs: Assist patients with daily activities.

[Core] [57% incumbents] Observe patients during treatment to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
  DWAs: Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.

--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:3.62 lvl:3.00) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Monitoring (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Speaking (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Learning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.62 lvl:2.88) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.88 lvl:1.38) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:4.48 lvl:5.07) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  English Language (imp:4.03 lvl:3.30) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Computers and Electronics (imp:3.49 lvl:3.81) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:3.33 lvl:2.74) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Psychology (imp:2.98 lvl:3.12) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.89 lvl:2.75) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Administrative (imp:2.82 lvl:2.94) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Education and Training (imp:2.62 lvl:2.51) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Telecommunications (imp:2.44 lvl:0.91) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Administration and Management (imp:2.43 lvl:1.47) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.41 lvl:1.65) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:2.39 lvl:1.87) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:2.38 lvl:1.97) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Communications and Media (imp:2.36 lvl:1.90) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Mathematics (imp:2.27 lvl:2.09) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Biology (imp:2.21 lvl:1.41) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Transportation (imp:2.20 lvl:1.40) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Foreign Language (imp:2.13 lvl:1.60) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Sales and Marketing (imp:2.09 lvl:1.13) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Physics (imp:2.01 lvl:1.21) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Mechanical (imp:1.91 lvl:0.87) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Production and Processing (imp:1.77 lvl:1.48) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Law and Government (imp:1.74 lvl:1.20) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Chemistry (imp:1.73 lvl:1.50) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.53 lvl:0.90) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Geography (imp:1.42 lvl:0.63) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Design (imp:1.29) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Engineering and Technology (imp:1.27) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.20) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  History and Archeology (imp:1.06) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Food Production (imp:1.03) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  Building and Construction (imp:1.02) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Fine Arts (imp:1.02) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.38 lvl:3.75) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Oral Expression (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Near Vision (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Written Expression (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Information Ordering (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Selective Attention (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Trunk Strength (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Category Flexibility (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.88 lvl:2.50) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Static Strength (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.75 lvl:2.12) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Perceptual Speed (imp:2.75 lvl:2.38) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Far Vision (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Stamina (imp:2.62 lvl:2.25) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.62 lvl:2.25) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Time Sharing (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Originality (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Memorization (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Visualization (imp:2.12 lvl:2.75) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Control Precision (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Depth Perception (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.88 lvl:1.62) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.75 lvl:1.12) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Response Orientation (imp:1.62 lvl:1.25) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Rate Control (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Reaction Time (imp:1.50 lvl:0.88) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.38 lvl:0.62) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.00) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  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:4.98 lvl:5.23) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:4.50 lvl:4.49) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.43 lvl:4.20) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Getting Information (imp:4.26 lvl:3.48) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:4.07 lvl:5.49) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:4.01 lvl:4.94) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Working with Computers (imp:4.01 lvl:3.00) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.99 lvl:4.08) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.97 lvl:4.94) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.89 lvl:4.85) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.87 lvl:4.17) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:3.74 lvl:4.29) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:3.66 lvl:4.11) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:3.65 lvl:3.37) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.57 lvl:3.35) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.55 lvl:2.98) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.51 lvl:4.17) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.49 lvl:3.10) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.43 lvl:3.54) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.40 lvl:4.00) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Processing Information (imp:3.39 lvl:3.86) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.35 lvl:3.61) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:3.28 lvl:3.28) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.20 lvl:3.25) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.13 lvl:2.80) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.06 lvl:3.29) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.92 lvl:2.51) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:2.83 lvl:3.12) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.82 lvl:2.72) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:2.81 lvl:2.85) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.77 lvl:2.70) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.61 lvl:1.90) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:2.58 lvl:2.75) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.43 lvl:2.11) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.31 lvl:2.70) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:1.97 lvl:2.30) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.92 lvl:1.43) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.90 lvl:1.44) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.71) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:1.61 lvl:0.96) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.29) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cooperation (imp:2.47) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Dependability (imp:2.47) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Empathy (imp:2.23) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Optimism (imp:1.94) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation (imp:1.79) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Sincerity (imp:1.72) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Integrity (imp:1.70) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:1.50) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Self-Control (imp:1.47) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Humility (imp:1.28) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.19) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Perseverance (imp:1.07) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Empathy (imp:1.00) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Adaptability (imp:0.94) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Achievement Orientation (imp:0.68) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Self-Confidence (imp:0.50) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Initiative (imp:0.43) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.12) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  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
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  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
  Innovation (imp:-0.16) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:-0.19) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:-0.22) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Service Orientation (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Coordination (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Instructing (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Time Management (imp:3.00 lvl:2.38) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Persuasion (imp:2.88 lvl:2.25) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:2.75 lvl:2.12) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Negotiation (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Operations Monitoring (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Technology Design (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.62 lvl:0.75) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Operation and Control (imp:1.62 lvl:1.25) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Programming (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 48,150
  annual_median    : $35,240
  annual_pct10     : $25,360
  annual_pct25     : $30,410
  annual_pct75     : $38,810
  annual_pct90     : $47,780
  annual_mean      : $36,430
  hourly_median    : $16.94

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Alaska ($55,760)
  lowest_state     : Louisiana ($22,460)
  dispersion_ratio : 2.483x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (50 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:   46,960  median: $  35,130
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      800  median: $  48,360
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:      270  median: $  38,530
  Educational Services                     emp:       80  median: $  38,440

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (4 total) ---
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:   46,960  median: $  35,130
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:      800  median: $  48,360
  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp:      270  median: $  38,530
  Educational Services                     emp:       80  median: $  38,440

exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Physical therapy
match_score        : 0.7500
wikidata_qid       : Q186005
word_count         : 5,305
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:53:02.929965Z

--- 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: Health professional (similarity: 0.2326)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_professional
  QID: Q11974939
  Extract: A health professional, healthcare professional (HCP), or healthcare worker is a provider of health care treatment and advice based on formal training and experience. The field includes those who work as a nurse, physician, perfusionist, physician assistant, registered dietitian, emergency medical te

  Title: Mary McMillan (similarity: 0.1622)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_McMillan
  QID: Q6003207
  Extract: Mary Jennie Livingston McMillan was an American physical therapist, and the founding president of the American Physical Therapy Association.

  Title: Biarritz (similarity: 0.1875)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biarritz
  QID: Q132790
  Extract: Biarritz is a city on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the French Basque Country in southwestern France. It is located 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the border with Spain. It is a luxurious seaside tourist destination known for the Hôtel du Palais, its 

  Title: Occupational therapy (similarity: 0.5000)
  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: Medical credentials (similarity: 0.4186)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_credentials
  QID: Q6806496
  Extract: Healthcare professional credentials are credentials awarded to many healthcare practitioners as a way to standardize the level of education and ability to provide care.

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : High confidence based on detailed O*NET task data, comprehensive wage information, clear education requirements, and strong related occupation connections within healthcare support roles.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T20:12:39.648969+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,660
tokens_output        : 4,284
cost_usd             : $0.046963
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Physical therapy
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia match provides context on the broader physical therapy profession, though it focuses on licensed therapists rather than support aides. This aide role operates under close supervision within the physical therapy care delivery system.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Physical Therapist Aides work under close supervision to support patient treatment in rehabilitation settings by preparing treatment areas, assisting patients with basic exercises, and maintaining equipment. They handle routine administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and cleaning treatment rooms while ensuring patient safety during therapy sessions. This entry-level healthcare support role requires minimal formal preparation but demands strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A Physical Therapist Aide starts their day by cleaning and organizing treatment areas, disinfecting equipment, and arranging supplies to ensure readiness for patient sessions. They transport patients using wheelchairs or provide standing support, secure them safely onto therapy equipment, and assist with basic exercises under direct supervision. Throughout the day, they perform clerical duties including scheduling appointments, taking inventory of supplies, answering phones, and documenting basic patient information in systems like Epic or MEDITECH. They change linens, maintain treatment rooms, and may assist with simple therapeutic activities like heat or light therapy application. The role involves constant interaction with patients, requiring them to provide encouragement and ensure safety during rehabilitation activities.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel as Physical Therapist Aides typically have strong social orientations (RIASEC S:5.95) and enjoy helping others recover from injuries or disabilities. They possess excellent active listening skills and can communicate effectively with patients who may be in pain or frustrated with their limitations. Detail-oriented individuals who can follow specific protocols while maintaining empathy and patience perform well in this role. Those who thrive tend to be dependable team players who can work effectively under supervision while maintaining focus on patient safety and comfort during vulnerable moments in their recovery.

CAREER ENTRY:
Most Physical Therapist Aides enter with a high school diploma (34.4%) or some post-secondary education, with 25.1% holding associate's degrees according to education distribution data. Many employers provide on-the-job training for specific protocols and equipment use, though some healthcare experience or certification programs can be advantageous. Entry typically requires demonstrating strong communication skills, physical capability to assist patients, and comfort working in medical environments with strict hygiene and safety protocols.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Physical Therapist Aides often advance to Physical Therapist Assistant roles with additional education and clinical training, representing a clear career pathway within rehabilitation services. Some transition to other healthcare support roles like Medical Assistants, Nursing Assistants, or specialized therapy aide positions in occupational therapy. The foundational patient care experience and healthcare system knowledge gained in this role provides valuable preparation for pursuing physical therapy licensure or other allied health professions requiring more extensive education.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Physical Therapist Aides earn a median annual wage of $35,240 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, with the 10th-90th percentile range spanning $25,360 to $47,780. The field employs 48,150 workers nationally, with significant geographic wage variation from Louisiana at $22,460 to Alaska at $55,760 (2.48x ratio). Employment is heavily concentrated in healthcare and social assistance settings (46,960 workers), with the aging population driving steady demand for rehabilitation services. The relatively low barriers to entry combined with growing healthcare needs suggest stable employment opportunities, though wages remain modest compared to other healthcare roles requiring similar interpersonal skills.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Physical Therapist Aides face low automation risk due to their core work activities involving direct patient assistance and care (importance 5.0), which require human empathy, adaptability, and physical interaction. While administrative tasks like scheduling and inventory management may become more automated, the essential functions of safely moving patients, providing emotional support during exercises, and monitoring patient responses during treatment cannot be effectively replaced by technology.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [career_pathway] Physical Therapist Assistants (31-2021.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Direct advancement pathway requiring additional education, with identical customer service knowledge importance (4.5) and similar therapy knowledge areas.
    data: Related occupation Primary-Short
    data: Customer service knowledge 4.5 importance both roles
    data: Same therapy treatment environment
  [task_similarity] Occupational Therapy Aides (31-2012.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Nearly identical work activities including assisting patients (5.0 importance), cleaning equipment, and working under supervision in therapy settings.
    data: Related occupation Primary-Short
    data: Assisting and Caring for Others 5.0 importance
    data: Same Job Zone 2
    data: Similar RIASEC social orientation
  [transferable_skill] Medical Assistants (31-9092.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Overlapping administrative duties, customer service knowledge (4.5 vs 4.0 importance), and healthcare documentation skills in medical settings.
    data: Related occupation Primary-Long
    data: Customer service knowledge overlap
    data: Administrative tasks in both roles
    data: Working with computers 4.0 importance
  [riasec_cluster] Nursing Assistants (31-1131.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share high social RIASEC orientation and identical patient care focus with assisting and caring work activities at 5.0 importance.
    data: Related occupation Primary-Long
    data: Assisting and Caring for Others 5.0 importance
    data: Social RIASEC orientation
    data: Same healthcare support vertical
  [knowledge_overlap] Occupational Therapy Assistants (31-2011.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Shared therapy and counseling knowledge (3.3 importance), customer service expertise, and rehabilitation treatment environment understanding.
    data: Related occupation Primary-Short
    data: Therapy and Counseling knowledge 3.3 importance
    data: Customer service knowledge
    data: Same healthcare treatment setting

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['physical therapist aide', 'physical therapy aide', 'pt aide', 'pt tech', 'rehabilitation aide', 'therapy aide', 'physical therapy attendant', 'physiotherapy aide']
  exclude_keywords : ['physical therapist assistant', 'licensed physical therapist', 'registered physical therapist', 'physical therapy supervisor', 'physical therapy director']
  title_patterns   : ['physical therapist aide', 'physical therapy aide', 'pt aide', 'therapy aide', 'rehabilitation aide']
  common_variations: ['PTA', 'PT Tech', 'Physical Therapist Aide', 'Physical Therapy Aide', 'Physiotherapy Aide', 'PT Attendant', 'Rehabilitation Aide', 'Therapy Aide']

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

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
physical                  179  0.03146  wikipedia            wikipedia:87%  inference:7%  onet_dimensions:3%
therapy                    98  0.01723  wikipedia            wikipedia:88%  inference:8%  onet_tasks:2%
therapists                 51  0.00897  wikipedia            wikipedia:94%  onet_tasks:4%  inference:2%
patients                   48  0.00844  wikipedia            wikipedia:48%  dwas:21%  onet_tasks:17%
tendency                   43  0.00756  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:98%  wikipedia:2%
care                       42  0.00738  wikipedia            wikipedia:81%  inference:7%  onet_dimensions:5%
others                     41  0.00721  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:93%  onet_tasks:2%  wikipedia:2%
health                     41  0.00721  wikipedia            wikipedia:93%  onet_dimensions:2%  dwas:2%
equipment                  40  0.00703  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:57%  onet_tasks:15%  dwas:15%
treatment                  39  0.00685  wikipedia            wikipedia:49%  onet_tasks:15%  inference:15%
patient                    38  0.00668  wikipedia            wikipedia:47%  inference:21%  dwas:18%
therapist                  32  0.00562  wikipedia            wikipedia:72%  inference:25%  onet_tasks:3%
medical                    25  0.00439  wikipedia            wikipedia:44%  dwas:40%  inference:8%
rehabilitation             25  0.00439  wikipedia            wikipedia:80%  inference:16%  onet_dimensions:4%
activities                 23  0.00404  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:39%  wikipedia:26%  dwas:17%
states                     22  0.00387  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
physiotherapy              21  0.00369  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
united                     20  0.00352  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
management                 19  0.00334  wikipedia            wikipedia:58%  onet_dimensions:37%  inference:5%
programs                   19  0.00334  wikipedia            wikipedia:74%  onet_dimensions:21%  inference:5%
includes                   18  0.00316  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  wikipedia:33%
college                    18  0.00316  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
include                    17  0.00299  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
physiotherapists           17  0.00299  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
principles                 16  0.00281  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
healthcare                 16  0.00281  wikipedia            wikipedia:56%  inference:44%
practice                   16  0.00281  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
techniques                 15  0.00264  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  wikipedia:33%
university                 15  0.00264  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
providing                  14  0.00246  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  wikipedia:36%  onet_tasks:7%
body                       14  0.00246  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:71%  wikipedia:21%  onet_tasks:7%
under                      13  0.00229  wikipedia            wikipedia:38%  inference:31%  onet_dimensions:23%
control                    13  0.00229  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  wikipedia:8%
movement                   13  0.00229  wikipedia            wikipedia:69%  onet_dimensions:31%
sports                     13  0.00229  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
pain                       12  0.00211  wikipedia            wikipedia:83%  onet_tasks:8%  inference:8%
individuals                12  0.00211  wikipedia            wikipedia:67%  onet_dimensions:17%  inference:17%
problems                   12  0.00211  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  wikipedia:25%
procedures                 12  0.00211  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  dwas:17%  wikipedia:17%
services                   12  0.00211  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  wikipedia:33%  inference:17%