What Is a Physical Therapist Aide?
Physical therapy is centered on providing treatment solutions and physical therapy sessions to patients who require assistance in maintaining or restoring physical function and mobility in daily life. Physical therapist aides work alongside physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and typically help to treat patients who have suffered from a physical injury or have other physical disabilities.
Aides are not trained to administer therapy treatments to patients and typically help with administrative, physical and organizational duties. Physical therapy aides may assist in preparing therapy areas, organizing physical therapy equipment and physically assisting patients to and from treatment locations. They may also be required to perform small clerical tasks such as answering phones, ordering supplies and taking care of paperwork.
Physical therapist aides can work a wide variety of schedules, but they will most likely work regular hours within the work week. They may also work during the day on the weekend.
How to Become a Physical Therapist Aide
In order to become a physical therapist aide, an individual must have at least a high school diploma. There is no national requirement in order to qualify for employment as a physical therapist aide. Most employers prefer candidates with at least a high school diploma and work experience that reflects an applicant’s ability to follow instructions and be responsible for the completion of individual tasks.
Candidates will also have a leg up if they have experience working within the field of physical therapy, or within another health-related industry. Most physical therapist aides are trained on the job, so if candidates show a high potential to learn quickly, they will be more likely to be considered.
Individuals who are interested in becoming physical therapist assistants may benefit from working part or full-time as a physical therapist aide while pursuing an associate degree. This way, they can gain real-world experience that will be beneficial in future job searches.
Physical Therapist Aide Career Outlook & Salary
The career outlook for the physical therapy industry in general is projected to be very good from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, while there will be many job opportunities for physical therapy assistants, employment for physical therapy aides will by more competitive because the requirements for acceptance are lower. About 72% of physical therapist aides working in the United States in 2008 were in offices of health practitioners and hospitals.
According to the Bureau, the median annual wages of physical therapist aides were $23,760 in 2008. The lowest 10% made less than $17,270, and the highest 10% earned over $33,540 annually. On Payscale.com, physical therapist aides surveyed made from $9.51 to $12.39 per hour.
The industries employing the largest amounts of physical therapist aides are nursing care facilities, medical and surgical hospitals, specialty hospitals and physicians’ offices. Aides who stay up to date with current trends in the field of physical therapy will see the most advancement opportunities.
