What Does a Physical Therapy Technician Do?

A physical therapy technician supports both the physical therapists and their physical therapy assistants in planning and implementing patient care. You are expected to perform varied duties and responsibilities that include responding to patients' requests for assistance, assisting with patient preparation before treatment, and maintaining the equipment used by the physical therapist during treatment sessions. In addition, you will be responsible for maintaining patient satisfaction and patient confidentiality. A physical therapy technician will also perform some administrative tasks such as overseeing inventory and scheduling appointments and treatments.

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Physical Therapy Technician Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real physical therapy technician resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Manage flexible schedule at various company facilities categorize as ILF, ALF, and SNF.
Assist patients in performing ADL tasks and the use of prescribe adaptive equipment.
Help with ADL's for each patient to make sure they make it to the therapy gym.
Schedule rehab sessions, transport patients to sessions, maintain the cleanliness of treatment area and order supplies.
Administer therapeutic ultrasound and prepare patients for mechanical traction.
Assist patients in performing rehabilitation exercises on the equipment; ensure safety and equipment use guidelines are follow.
Motivate patients to succeed by overseeing rehabilitation exercises/routines
Perform ROM in restorative patients.
Work with patients during ROM exercises.
Assist OTR with treatment implementation and support staff functions.
Perform PMAB among clients and administer CPR in emergency intervention.
Take actions to assess compliance with HUD regulations and PHA policy.
Conduct basic preventative maintenance and repairs on wheelchairs, gait trainers and adaptive equipment.
Complete training in patient transfers, ADL's (activities of daily living).
Assist patients to put on and remove supportive devices such as braces, splints, and slings

Physical Therapy Technician Job Description

Perhaps the hardest question to answer when deciding on a career as a physical therapy technician is "should I become a physical therapy technician?" You might find this info to be helpful. When compared to other jobs, physical therapy technician careers are projected to have a growth rate described as "much faster than average" at 26% from 2018 through 2028. This is in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What's more, is that the projected number of opportunities that are predicted to become available for a physical therapy technician by 2028 is 38,000.

On average, the physical therapy technician annual salary is $35,161 per year, which translates to $16.9 an hour. Generally speaking, physical therapy technicians earn anywhere from $20,000 to $59,000 a year, which means that the top-earning physical therapy technicians make $65,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum.

Once you've become a physical therapy technician, you may be curious about what other opportunities are out there. Careers aren't one size fits all. For that reason, we discovered some other jobs that you may find appealing. Some jobs you might find interesting include a rehabilitation aide, certified occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapy assistant, and rehabilitation technician.

Learn More About Physical Therapy Technician Job Descriptions

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Physical Therapy Technician Jobs You Might Like

12 Physical Therapy Technician Resume Examples

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Jonathan Morris Physical Therapy Technician Contact Information Chicago, IL (250) 555-1385 jmorris@example.com Skills Patient Therapy Direct Supervision Emergency Acute Care Patient Evaluations Office Supplies Treatment Plans Cold Packs Taking Messages Animal Care Employment History Physical Therapy Technician 2020 - Present Athletico Chicago, IL Assisted physical therapists with patient care including instruction in therapeutic exercise and administering physical agents. Assisted PT and PTA in patient care. Rehab Aide 2018 - 2020 Preferred Family Healthcare Kirksville, MO Certified in CPR and First Aid, Crisis Prevention and Intervention, and Med-First. Committed to patient care and education throughout rehabilitative process. Ensured communication of the policies, procedures and related information to all athletes, coaches, and spectators. Provide personal care services under a registered nurse . Worked closely with physical therapists in assessing patient care. Port Jefferson, NY 2006-2010 Worked closely with Physical Therapists to assist with patient care. Student Athletic Trainer 2017 - 2018 Bridgewater State University Providence, RI Spring 2014 Student Athletic Trainer Work with Division III baseball team and softball team under the guidance of certified athletic trainers. Managed Concussion and AED program Established risk management/safety protocols and medical emergency procedures for all Phillips Academy students and coaches. Completed CPR certification and was the first responder during game and practice coverage of various NCAA teams. Provide appropriate injury prevention, assessment, facilitation, and rehabilitation for all intercollegiate sports. Education Master's Degree Kinesiology 2016 - 2017 Johnson & Wales University Providence, RI Bachelor's Degree Health Education 2013 - 2016 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ


Dylan Hudson Physical Therapy Technician Contact Info San Bernardino, CA (950) 555-1238 dhudson@example.com Skills Taking MessagesIndependent LivingSoftballPatient CareAnimal CareIntercollegiate SportsVital SignsElectrical StimulationPersonal CareOffice Supplies Employment History Physical Therapy Technician 2019 - Present Rancho Physical Therapy San Bernardino, CA Sanitized all equipment and towels needed for patient care. Maintained patient charts, helped in front office: called patients, scheduled appointments, processed copayments and verified insurance benefits Demonstrated effective communication with physical therapists as it relates to patient care. Assisted patients with modalities such as hot/cold packs and ultrasound. Animal Assisted Therapist 2017 - 2019 Rancho Physical Therapy San Bernardino, CA Assisted patients with modalities such as hot/cold packs and ultrasound. Sanitized all equipment and towels needed for patient care. Maintained patient charts, helped in front office: called patients, scheduled appointments, processed copayments and verified insurance benefits Maintain the treatment area in clean and organized state. Administer ultrasound, and/or electrical stimulation therapy for patients as instructed. Assistant Athletic Trainer 2015 - 2017 University of California Press San Bernardino, CA Saw student enrollment increase by 266% for Sports Medicine I from the 2013 to 2014 school year. Worked to create and maintain a relationship with Union Memorial Sports Medicine, inclusive of Greater Chesapeake Orthopedic Associates. Assist in various cpr and first-aid training exercises. Collaborate with physicians and physical therapists when creating and implementing rehabilitation programs for injured athletes. Managed and Supervised Athletic Training room activities Created, implemented, and educated students regarding injury rehabilitation programs Student Advisor Education Master's Degree Kinesiology 2014 - 2015 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA Bachelor's Degree Athletic Training 2011 - 2014 Weber State University Ogden, UT


Anna Ortiz Physical Therapy Technician Memphis, TN (610) 555-8437 aortiz@example.com Experience Physical Therapy Technician2020 - Present Synergy Center•Memphis, TN Follow prescribed procedures and policies for patient care. Developed and assisted with treatment plans and care. Worked with patients on their rehab and the treatment of acute and chronic injuries, as well as pre/post-surgical patients. Set up modalities such as hot packs, cold pneumatic compression, paraffin wax, and iontophoresis. Animal Assisted Therapist2015 - 2020 Regional Medical Center of San Jose•Memphis, TN Assisted patients with rehabilitative exercises Assisted Physical Therapists with patient care services Provide high quality care to patients Set patients up for electric stimulation, hot/cold packs, traction, whirlpool treatments, and more. Assisted nursing with patient care. Physical Therapist Technician2010 - 2015 Encompass Health•Memphis, TN Collaborated with other professions daily on patient care and through patient care conferences. Performed standardized PT evaluations, developed individualized treatment plans and goal, and completed daily documentation in a timely manner ! Assisted patients by applying heat/cold packs; monitored motion & duration of exercises. Skills Scheduling PatientsAnimal CareIndependent LivingExam RoomsEKGPatient CareBlood PressureGeneral CareCold PacksInsurance Companies Education Master's Degree Medical Assisting Services2009 - 2010 Concorde Career College•Memphis, TN Bachelor's Degree Nursing2006 - 2009 Miami Dade College•Miami, FL

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Physical Therapy Technician Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 43% of Physical Therapy Technicians are proficient in Patients, Patient Care, and Rehabilitation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Time-management skills, Dexterity, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Physical Therapy Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Patients, 43%
Assisted patients in performing rehabilitation exercises on the equipment; ensured safety and equipment use guidelines are followed.
Patient Care, 13%
Provided indirect patient care and aided in directing therapeutic exercises and stretches under the direct supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.
Rehabilitation, 7%
Worked with and directed patients in their rehabilitation and essential activities, coordinating with large professional therapy team.
Customer Service, 6%
Provide warm and cold therapy-Perform low frequency ultrasounds-Implement electronic stimulation treatments-Excellent customer service and interaction with patients.
Occupational Therapy, 3%
Assisted professional staff with Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy treatments to a varied age population.
Treatment Rooms, 2%
Ensured equipment, gym area, and treatment rooms were clean and maintained under clinical guidelines and OSHA standards.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Physical Therapy Technician Resume templates

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"patients," "patient care," and "rehabilitation" aren't the only skills we found physical therapy technicians list on their resumes. In fact, there's a whole list of physical therapy technician responsibilities that we found, including:

Another trait important for fulfilling physical therapy technician duties is dexterity. According to a physical therapy technician resume, "physical therapist assistants should be comfortable using their hands to provide manual therapy and therapeutic exercises." Here's an example of how physical therapy technicians are able to utilize dexterity: "lift physical therapy equipments and patients. "

Another skill that is quite popular among physical therapy technicians is physical stamina. This skill is very critical to fulfilling every day responsibilities as is shown in this example from a physical therapy technician resume: "physical therapist assistants and aides are frequently on their feet and moving as they work with their patients" This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assist patients with physical therapy, administrative responsibilities (answering phones, taking payments, scheduling appointments, etic. "

In order for certain physical therapy technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires the skill "compassion." According to a physical therapy technician resume, "physical therapist assistants and aides should enjoy helping people" As an example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies: "provide excellent patient care; ensure patients and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere. "

As part of the physical therapy technician description, you might find that one of the skills that might be helpful to the job is "detail oriented." A physical therapy technician resume included this snippet: "like other healthcare professionals, physical therapist assistants and aides should be organized and have a keen eye for detail" This skill could be useful in this scenario: "trained and oriented new physical therapy technicians. "

Lastly, this career requires you to be skillful in "interpersonal skills." According to physical therapy technician resumes, "physical therapist assistants and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients, their families, and other healthcare practitioners; therefore, they should be courteous and friendly." This resume example highlights how physical therapy technician responsibilities rely on this skill: "used interpersonal skills to build professional relationships with physicians, therapists and patients. "

See the full list of physical therapy technician skills.

After discovering the most helpful skills, we moved onto what kind of education might be helpful in becoming a physical therapy technician. We found that 67.5% of physical therapy technicians have graduated with a bachelor's degree and 4.0% of people in this position have earned their master's degrees. While most physical therapy technicians have a college degree, you may find it's also true that generally it's possible to be successful in this career with only a high school degree. In fact, our research shows that one out of every seven physical therapy technicians were not college graduates.

Those physical therapy technicians who do attend college, typically earn either kinesiology degrees or physical therapy degrees. Less commonly earned degrees for physical therapy technicians include biology degrees or medical assisting services degrees.

Once you're ready to become a physical therapy technician, you should explore the companies that typically hire physical therapy technicians. According to physical therapy technician resumes that we searched through, physical therapy technicians are hired the most by U.S. Physical Therapy, Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, and Select Medical. Currently, U.S. Physical Therapy has 23 physical therapy technician job openings, while there are 7 at Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics and 7 at Select Medical.

Since salary is important to some physical therapy technicians, it's good to note that they are figured to earn the highest salaries at St. Tammany Health System, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Methodist Hospital for Surgery. If you were to take a closer look at St. Tammany Health System, you'd find that the average physical therapy technician salary is $91,522. Then at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, physical therapy technicians receive an average salary of $64,069, while the salary at Methodist Hospital for Surgery is $62,544.

View more details on physical therapy technician salaries across the United States.

If you earned a degree from the top 100 educational institutions in the United States, you might want to take a look at Athletico, Physiotherapy Associates, and ATI Physical Therapy. These three companies have hired a significant number of physical therapy technicians from these institutions.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious physical therapy technicians are:

U.S. Physical Therapy23 Physical Therapy Technicians Jobs
Select Medical7 Physical Therapy Technicians Jobs
Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics7 Physical Therapy Technicians Jobs

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What Rehabilitation Aides Do

A rehabilitation aide is responsible for assisting patients with injuries, mental disorders, and illnesses in their treatment plans and medications. Rehabilitation aides monitor the patients' progress and update attending physicians regarding their conditions. They also prepare treatment rooms, including the materials and equipment for the medical procedures, and discuss the process with the patients. A rehabilitation aide must be highly organizational, especially in attending to different patients' needs and ensuring the safety and security of all facilities and assets.

In this section, we take a look at the annual salaries of other professions. Take rehabilitation aide for example. On average, the rehabilitation aides annual salary is $6,877 lower than what physical therapy technicians make on average every year.

While the salaries between these two careers can be different, they do share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both physical therapy technicians and rehabilitation aides positions are skilled in patients, rehabilitation, and occupational therapy.

There are some key differences in responsibilities as well. For example, a physical therapy technician responsibilities require skills like "patient care," "customer service," "physical therapy equipment," and "patient scheduling." Meanwhile a typical rehabilitation aide has skills in areas such as "cleanliness," "data entry," "restraints," and "compassion." This difference in skills reveals how truly different these two careers really are.

Rehabilitation aides tend to make the most money in the health care industry by averaging a salary of $29,100. In contrast, physical therapy technicians make the biggest average salary of $32,442 in the health care industry.

On average, rehabilitation aides reach similar levels of education than physical therapy technicians. Rehabilitation aides are 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants are professionals who work with licensed occupational therapists in providing therapy to patients. This therapy is usually related to the physical or mobility challenges of a patient. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients retain their skills, improve on their challenges, and eventually recover. They record the patient's progress after every therapy session. They may also help out in creating treatment plans for the patient. Since they spend a lot of time with patients, their inputs and recommendations are valuable in crafting and adjusting the treatment plan.

The next role we're going to look at is the certified occupational therapy assistant profession. Typically, this position earns a higher pay. In fact, they earn a $15,711 higher salary than physical therapy technicians per year.

A similarity between the two careers of physical therapy technicians and certified occupational therapy assistants are a few of the skills associated with both roles. We used resumes from both professions to find that both use skills like "patients," "patient care," and "rehabilitation. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, several resumes showed us that physical therapy technician responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "treatment rooms," "traction," and "cpr." But a certified occupational therapy assistant might use skills, such as, "home health," "occupational therapy treatments," "snf," and "adaptive."

It's been discovered that certified occupational therapy assistants earn higher salaries compared to physical therapy technicians, but we wanted to find out where certified occupational therapy assistants earned the most pay. The answer? The education industry. The average salary in the industry is $51,821. Additionally, physical therapy technicians earn the highest paychecks in the health care with an average salary of $32,442.

On the topic of education, certified occupational therapy assistants earn similar levels of education than physical therapy technicians. In general, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How an Occupational Therapy Assistant Compares

An occupational therapy assistant is primarily responsible for assisting an occupational therapist when handling patients at a clinic or similar setting. Their duties revolve around gathering patient information and medical history, treating patients using the therapist's care plan, monitoring a patient's progress, and maintaining an accurate and extensive record. There are also instances when an assistant must discuss the conditions and extent of treatment to patients and families, as well as monitor supplies and inventory.

Let's now take a look at the occupational therapy assistant profession. On average, these workers make higher salaries than physical therapy technicians with a $15,492 difference per year.

Using physical therapy technicians and occupational therapy assistants resumes, we found that both professions have similar skills such as "patients," "patient care," and "rehabilitation," but the other skills required are very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers as shown by resumes from each profession. Some of those differences include the skills required to complete responsibilities within each role. As an example of this, a physical therapy technician is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "treatment rooms," "traction," and "cpr," while a typical occupational therapy assistant is skilled in "home health," "therapy programs," "acute care," and "occupational therapy treatments."

Occupational therapy assistants make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $52,020. Whereas physical therapy technicians are paid the highest salary in the health care industry with the average being $32,442.

Occupational therapy assistants are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to physical therapy technicians. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a Rehabilitation Technician

A rehabilitation technician is responsible for assisting therapists and other medical personnel on supporting the patients in their daily activities and physical therapy sessions. Rehabilitation technicians provide high-quality care services for the patients by administering medications, accompanying them on medical appointments, and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of all equipment and facilities to prevent hazards within the premises. They may also perform administrative and clerical duties such as updating patients' information on the database, writing reports, processing payments for medical procedures, and maintaining medical charts for reference.

The fourth career we look at typically earns lower pay than physical therapy technicians. On average, rehabilitation technicians earn a difference of $5,628 lower per year.

While their salaries may vary, physical therapy technicians and rehabilitation technicians both use similar skills to perform their jobs. Resumes from both professions include skills like "patients," "rehabilitation," and "customer service. "

While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note. "patient care," "physical therapy equipment," "physical therapy treatment," and "patient scheduling" are skills that have shown up on physical therapy technicians resumes. Additionally, rehabilitation technician uses skills like physical therapy, rehabilitation services, adl, and direct patient care on their resumes.

In general, rehabilitation technicians make a higher salary in the health care industry with an average of $30,968. The highest physical therapy technician annual salary stems from the health care industry.

In general, rehabilitation technicians reach similar levels of education when compared to physical therapy technicians resumes. Rehabilitation technicians are 2.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated October 2, 2020