Physical Therapy Assistant Training And Jobs

About Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical therapist assistants participate in providing rehabilitation for accident victims and persons with chronic or debilitating conditions. Working closely with a physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant helps to provide and document the physical therapy process. A physical therapist directs a physical therapist assistant to execute various tasks which could include:

• Applying hot or cold presses
• Providing ultrasound treatments
• Supervising patient use of physical therapy equipment
• Instructing and monitoring patient in physical therapy exercises
• Providing electrical stimulation or paraffin baths
• Providing massage therapy

A physical therapist assistant may be required to perform some clerical tasks. There may include answering phones, completing forms or ordering supplies.

Physical Therapy Assistant Schools and Licensing Requirements

Organizations hiring physical therapist assistants generally require an associate's degree. This is normally a two-year or four semester program that includes both coursework and clinical experience. The studies include courses in chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, algebra, and psychology. The hands-on clinical experience typically includes CPR as well as experience in a physical therapy environment in a clinical internship. While both coursework and clinical experience are required, employers are particularly interested in the clinical work which ensures that prospective physical therapy assistants have gained a solid understanding of their future role and responsibilities. There are over 250 accredited physical therapist assistant programs in the country.

Licensing is required for physical therapist assistants in some states. Licensing typically requires passage of a state examination. Other requirements may apply and can include CPR, first aid certification and a minimum number of hours in a clinical internship.

Physical Therapist Assistant Job Characteristics

Skills that are helpful in pursuing a physical therapist aide position include good organizational skills, keen listening skills, reading and writing skills, strong interpersonal skills, a detailed orientation as well as a service orientation. Physical therapist assistants also need to be able to provide clear instructions to their patients and have strong coordination to aid patients with their therapy. It is helpful for physical therapist assistants to have a sensitivity for problem detection and to use critical thinking to appropriately adapt actions as necessary during physical therapy sessions.

Approximately 71% of physical therapist aides work in physical therapy facilities or within hospitals. The remainder work in other areas such as nursing facilities, physicians offices, home health care services or outpatient care centers. Approximately 23% of physical therapist aides and assistants work part time and often physical therapy facilities offer weekend and evening hours to accommodate the needs of their patients.

The need to assist and sometimes even lift patients requires the physical therapist aide to have moderate strength. In addition, the job is a physical one where the majority of the time is spent standing, stooping, bending, and kneeling.

Job Advancement

There are a number of ways that physical therapist assistants may advance in their chosen career. One option is to seek additional education and training to become a full fledged physical therapist. This requires a master's or doctorate degree as well as more stringent examinations and requirements. However, many physical therapist assistants choose to advance by specializing in a particular physical therapy area such as geriatrics, pediatrics or sports therapy. Others move into office management which might include organizing and managing a group of physical therapist aides or assistants or by directing a specific physical therapy area such as sports therapy.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities in the physical therapy field are growing and at a faster rate than many other occupations. In addition, as physical therapists and physical therapy centers work to keep costs down they may rely more on physical therapist assistants to provide treatment. However, federal limits on physical therapy Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements in the short term may adversely affect the job prospects on both physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides.

Forecasted growth for the 2006-2016 decade in physical therapy is 29%. This growth is projected based on a number of factors. First, the elderly population is growing and will continue to do so as baby boomers age and are more likely to experience ailments that require physical therapy. Moreover, as technology advances and better medical treatments become available more trauma patients will survive increasing the need for physical therapy services.

The income for physical therapist aides averaged between $33,000 and $50,000 annually in 2006 and the median annual income for this group was approximately $41,360. The home health care services were strong employers of physical therapist assistants and provided the highest incomes. The offices of physicians were also strong employers though they offered the least compensation based on May, 2006 data. Organizations employing large numbers of physical therapist assistants were:

• Nursing care facilities
• Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists
• General medical and surgical hospitals

Job Tools

• Clinical hydraulic lifts or accessories
• Electronic Blood pressure units
• Mercury blood pressure units
• Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs
• Vascular compression apparel or supports
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers or rollators
• Electrotherapy combination units

Job Technologies

• Calendar and scheduling software
• Medical software
• Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software

Additional Sources of Information

Schools for Physical Therapist Assistants are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Physical Therapist Assistants by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Physical Therapist Assistants, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.