Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

The occupation of Physical Therapist Assistants has an automation risk of 22.3%, which is relatively low compared to many other professions. This risk is closely aligned with the base risk of 22.6%, reflecting the mix of routine and non-routine tasks within the role. Many responsibilities in this field involve direct patient interaction, adaptability, and judgment, which limits the potential for full automation. However, some elements of the job are more susceptible to automation, particularly those that rely on predictable procedures or administrative functions. The tasks most likely to be automated include instructing, motivating, safeguarding, and assisting patients during exercises, as these actions often follow repeatable patterns that can be replicated by advanced robotics and AI-guided systems. Documenting patient information, such as progress notes, is also highly automatable since it involves structured data entry and reporting, areas where digital tools can be highly efficient. Observing patients during treatments to gather and evaluate data is another automatable task, as sensors and AI software are increasingly capable of monitoring physical responses and compiling treatment progress without human intervention. Conversely, some critical functions of Physical Therapist Assistants remain resistant to automation. Tasks such as performing therapeutic wound care require a high degree of dexterity, discretion, and the ability to respond to unpredictable situations, all of which are currently beyond the capacity of automation. Administering traction to relieve pain using specialist equipment demands precise adjustments and real-time safety monitoring, making it difficult for machines to fully replace the human touch. Additionally, preparing treatment areas and setting up electrotherapy equipment involves hands-on setup and situational awareness, which resist standardization. The relatively low reliance on bottleneck skills such as originality (with skill levels of 2.8% and 2.9%) further suggests that while some creative problem-solving is required, it is not the dominant skill, contributing to the moderate—rather than high—risk of automation in this occupation.