Physical Therapy Assistant Career Highlights

Salary
The US Department of Labor reported that median annual earnings of physical therapist assistants were $37,890 in May 2004. For the same period, the middle 50 percent earned between $31,060 and $44,050, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,110. In May 2004, median annual earnings for the industries employing the greatest numbers of physical therapists aides were:

• Nursing care facilities $40,360
• General medical and surgical hospitals 37,790
• Offices of other health practitioners 37,120

Median annual earnings of physical therapist aides were $21,380 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,990 and $26,310. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33,550. Median annual earnings of physical therapist aides in May 2004 were $21,120 in general medical and surgical hospitals and $20,360 in offices of physical therapists.

Hours worked per week
The hours and days that physical therapist assistants and aides work vary with the type of facility and with whether they are full- or part-time employees. Often outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours, to meet the needs of patients’ personal and work schedules. Nearly 30 percent of all physical therapist assistants and aides work part time.

Physical therapist assistants and aides need a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with their treatment. In some cases, assistants and aides need to lift patients. Constant kneeling, stooping, and standing for long periods also are part of the job.

Education required
Physical therapist aides are usually trained on the job, while physical therapist assistants gnerally earn an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. eLearningYellowPages.com lists several excellent accredited online training programs for Physical Therapy Assistants. Most accredited physical therapist assistant programs are designed to last 2 years, or 4 semesters, and culminate in an associate degree, although some online programs may be completed more quickly. The curriculums generally include algebra, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology. Some programs require a clinical experience.

Employers normallly require physical therapist aides to have a high school diploma, strong communication skills, and a desire to assist people in need. Most employers provide clinical on-the-job training.

Growth Prospects
Employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade. Demand for physical therapist assistants and aides will continue to rise, due to the increasing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function, and the growing elderly population. Physical therapist assistants and aides with prior experience working in a physical therapy office or other health care setting will have the best job opportunities.

Physical Therapy Assistant/Aide Responsibilities
Physical therapist assistants and aides perform certain aspects of physical therapy procedures and related tasks, supervised by a physical therapist. They assist physical therapists in providing services that help improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease, including accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.

Physical therapist assistants perform many different types of tasks. Aspects of treatment procedures performed by these workers, under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, involve exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound. Physical therapist assistants also record the patient’s responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.

Physical therapist aides are usually responsible for keeping treatment areas clean and organized and for preparing for each patient’s therapy. Aides may assist patients in moving to or from a treatment area, pushing them in a wheelchair or providing them with a shoulder to lean on. Since they are not licensed, aides do not perform the clinical tasks of a physical therapist assistant.

The duties of aides typically include some clerical tasks, such as ordering depleted supplies, answering the phone, and filling out insurance forms and other paperwork. The amount of clerical tasks an aide or an assistant performs depends on the size and location of the facility.

*Source: US Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook