Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

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Duties

Physical therapist assistants are often responsible for the following tasks:

• Be on the lookout for patients and report any changes in their condition to a physical therapist.
• Patients should be encouraged to do certain activities as part of a treatment regimen.
• Massage and stretching are two methods you may use to help your patients.
• Assist patients by using gadgets and equipment such as walkers.
• After therapy, inform patients and their loved ones about what to do next.

Physical therapist assistants work under the guidance and supervision of physical therapists to treat patients with exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic treatments. Physical therapists are kept up to date on patients' development via the use of progress notes and therapy reports.

Assisting physical therapists usually involves the following duties:

• Set up therapeutic equipment and clean treatment locations.
• Clean the bedsheets and pillowcases.
• escort patients to and from a treatment room
• Answer the phone and schedule patients, among other secretarial duties.

Physical therapists or physical therapist assistants oversee physical therapy aides. Physical therapist assistants are authorized to do a variety of jobs depending on the state in which they work. Aside from cleaning and organizing the treatment space, they may also assist patients in transferring to or from the treatment area as required. Clerical duties include purchasing supplies, arranging therapy appointments, and filling out insurance paperwork. Aides often assist with other administrative activities.

Education

All states require PT assistants to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. These two-year degrees cover topics like anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Assisted clinical practice is another way for assistants to gain experience.

An associate's degree in physical therapy or a related field is usually required. They also need a week to a month of on-the-job training.

Licenses and certifications

All states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed. To become a physical therapist assistant, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam. State PT boards administer the test. Some states require physical therapy assistants to be at least 18 years old, pass a state physical therapy exam, and undergo a criminal background check. Continuing education classes for PT assistants may be required. Contact your state's licensing authority to find out if you need one.

Physical therapist assistants can become certified in CPR, BLS, and other first aid skills.

Important traits

Compassion. You must enjoy working with others to be a physical therapy assistant or aide. They must be sympathetic to help their patients who are in pain.

Dedicated to precision. Physical therapist assistants and aides must be organized, keep accurate records, and carefully follow written and oral instructions.

Dexterity. Physical therapist assistants must be able to use their hands to perform manual treatments and therapeutic exercises. Assistants must be able to comfortably use their hands to set up equipment and prepare treatment rooms.

Interaction with others. Physical therapist assistants and aides must be pleasant to patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.

Body stamina. Physical therapist assistants and aides work with patients on their feet and in motion. They stoop, bend, and stand a lot.

Pay

The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $34,520 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,930.

Job Projections

Overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.