Healthcare SupportO*NET: 31-2021.00
Will AI Replace 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.
49out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
49/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
18
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- â–¸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.
- â–¸Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- â–¸Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- â–¸Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- â–¸Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- â–¸Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
- â–¸Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
- â–¸Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (4)
- Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
- 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.
- Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
👤Requires Humans (7)
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
- Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
- Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
âš¡AI-Assisted (7)
- Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
Key Skills Analysis
Active Listening
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
PersuasionAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Physical Therapist Assistants have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 49/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research