What Does it Take to Be a Physical Therapist Aide?
Occupation Description Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
A Day in the Life of a Physical Therapist Aide
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.
- Record treatment given and equipment used.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
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What Every Physical Therapist Aide Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Physical Therapist Aides say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Outpatient Therapy Aide
- Therapy Aide
- Restorative Care Technician
- Physical Therapist Technician (Physical Therapy Tech)
What Kind of Physical Therapist Aide Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 52,000 jobs in the United States for Physical Therapist Aide. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,200 new jobs for Physical Therapist Aide by 2026. There will be an estimated 8,500 positions for Physical Therapist Aide per year.
The states with the most job growth for Physical Therapist Aide are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Physical Therapist Aide Salary
The typical yearly salary for Physical Therapist Aides is somewhere between $20,040 and $39,230.
Physical Therapist Aides who work in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Physical Therapist Aides make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,190 |
| Alaska | $46,230 |
| Arizona | $28,360 |
| Arkansas | $25,650 |
| California | $31,090 |
| Colorado | $32,240 |
| Connecticut | $30,980 |
| Delaware | $26,050 |
| District of Columbia | $30,520 |
| Florida | $27,160 |
| Georgia | $27,270 |
| Hawaii | $30,050 |
| Idaho | $39,120 |
| Illinois | $31,100 |
| Indiana | $29,450 |
| Iowa | $27,580 |
| Kansas | $27,490 |
| Kentucky | $26,320 |
| Louisiana | $27,620 |
| Maine | $30,690 |
| Maryland | $25,980 |
| Massachusetts | $33,740 |
| Michigan | $27,810 |
| Minnesota | $37,230 |
| Mississippi | $22,870 |
| Missouri | $28,940 |
| Montana | $28,320 |
| Nebraska | $28,000 |
| Nevada | $26,000 |
| New Hampshire | $32,820 |
| New Jersey | $27,480 |
| New Mexico | $28,210 |
| New York | $30,230 |
| North Carolina | $27,780 |
| North Dakota | $33,350 |
| Ohio | $28,210 |
| Oklahoma | $21,610 |
| Oregon | $30,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,450 |
| Rhode Island | $33,960 |
| South Carolina | $30,440 |
| South Dakota | $28,810 |
| Tennessee | $25,740 |
| Texas | $26,810 |
| Utah | $22,860 |
| Vermont | $33,900 |
| Virginia | $28,110 |
| Washington | $29,870 |
| West Virginia | $25,620 |
| Wisconsin | $30,460 |
| Wyoming | $26,080 |
What Tools do Physical Therapist Aides Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Physical Therapist Aides:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- MEDITECH software
- Scheduling software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Patient record maintenance software
How to Become a Physical Therapist Aide
What education is needed to be a Physical Therapist Aide?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Physical Therapist Aides Work
Physical Therapist Aides work in the following industries:
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Those interested in being a Physical Therapist Aide may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Physical Therapist Aide sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Sgt. Courtney Richardson, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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