Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

There are many employment opportunities in the competitive job market for physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides. Research in science and medical field has created the necessity for rehabilitation services. Due to the rapid increase of our population growing older, health care personnel are in high demand. These are just a few of the reasons that make the choice to pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant or aide a good decision.

A physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of a physical therapist. Much of the work includes direct patient care. They work with patients to bring back or improve mobility and assist patients with pain management problems. They use a variety of techniques like exercise, electrical stimulation, massage, hot and cold therapy, ultrasound or traction to achieve these results. Hip and knee replacements which are orthopedic procedures are becoming more and more common. Physical therapy assistants often provide rehabilitation services to these clients. People that are involved in accidents that are trauma related also may require the services of physical therapy to recover. Physical therapists may at times rely on assistants to offer teaching techniques connected with exercises that can be carried out at home or to give instructions on how to work with crutches or rolling walkers. Physical therapist assistants usually are required to document and report a patient’s reaction to treatments and their progress.

Many states in the US require a physical therapy assistant to have an associate degree. Some states require licensure also. According to The American Physical Therapy Association currently there are 224 institutions supporting 237 accredited physical therapy assistant programs. There are an additional 44 programs in the making for this educational program. Completion of a state or national examination may be required for licensing as a physical therapy assistant.
Compensation and Duties

According to Indeed.com the average annual salary that a physical therapy assistant makes is $65,000. The U.S. Department of Labor points out that in 2006 the median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants was $41,350. Payscale.com reports that the beginning annual median salary for a physical therapist assistant is $38,118. Geography, company size, and the type of employer will determine the amount of wages you will receive.
Physical therapy aides work either under the supervision of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. Their job duties vary. Most of the time they are responsible for making sure that therapy sessions run without any difficulty. They may transport patients to and from therapy sessions. They also maintain the therapy area with supplies and keep things clean and organized. Clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and filling out insurance forms may also be a part of their duties. Assisting patients with dressing or undressing and even weighing patients may also be a part of their assignments. Physical therapist aides are not required to be licensed in this field therefore they do not provide any physical therapy with patients.

A physical therapy aide is required to have a high school diploma or GED. Most facilities provide on the job-training for this position. Any type of previous experience performing certified nursing assistant or home health aide can be very beneficial when searching for this type of job. In 2006 the U.S. Department of Labor reported the median annual earnings of physical therapist aides was $22,060. Payscale.com currently reports that the average annual median salary of a physical therapy aide is $18,581. CareerOverview.com lists the median average annual salary for an aide as $22,100.

Employment for physical therapy assistants and aides can be found at acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health, schools, rehabilitation facilities, orthopedic clinics, and physician offices. Another opportunity is physical therapists that have private practices. The hours for these positions can vary a great deal. There is a possibility that weekend work and evening work may be required. If you are interested in going after a career as a licensed physical therapist beginning as an aide or assistant offers a great deal of experience that will be helpful in achieving this goal. Working in this type of environment can help one’s confidence with the terminology and procedures involved with physical therapy. This will be a great help with educational and clinical requirements of a physical therapy program. This will also give a person a better idea of day to day responsibilities of a physical therapist. This work experience is extremely beneficial in preparing a resume for a career in physical therapy.

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