All About Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical Therapist Assistant Definition Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
Physical Therapist Assistant Responsibilities
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
- Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Physical Therapist Assistants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Physical Therapist Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
- Staff Physical Therapy Assistant
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
- Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant
What Kind of Physical Therapist Assistant Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 88,300 jobs for Physical Therapist Assistant in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 31.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 27,500 new jobs for Physical Therapist Assistant by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,700 positions for Physical Therapist Assistant per year.
The states with the most job growth for Physical Therapist Assistant are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Kansas, or District of Columbia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Physical Therapist Assistant
The average yearly salary of a Physical Therapist Assistant ranges between $33,780 and $79,810.
Physical Therapist Assistants who work in Texas, New Jersey, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,410 |
| Alaska | $58,950 |
| Arizona | $47,050 |
| Arkansas | $56,940 |
| California | $64,210 |
| Colorado | $55,370 |
| Connecticut | $65,810 |
| Delaware | $56,890 |
| District of Columbia | $40,920 |
| Florida | $61,650 |
| Georgia | $53,840 |
| Hawaii | $58,750 |
| Idaho | $49,410 |
| Illinois | $58,060 |
| Indiana | $55,730 |
| Iowa | $50,420 |
| Kansas | $55,190 |
| Kentucky | $54,060 |
| Louisiana | $48,300 |
| Maine | $52,370 |
| Maryland | $54,150 |
| Massachusetts | $64,180 |
| Michigan | $54,010 |
| Minnesota | $53,830 |
| Mississippi | $48,130 |
| Missouri | $53,150 |
| Montana | $46,130 |
| Nebraska | $47,240 |
| Nevada | $61,000 |
| New Hampshire | $58,970 |
| New Jersey | $68,000 |
| New Mexico | $46,650 |
| New York | $52,720 |
| North Carolina | $60,190 |
| North Dakota | $49,880 |
| Ohio | $58,740 |
| Oklahoma | $59,950 |
| Oregon | $61,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,100 |
| Rhode Island | $63,630 |
| South Carolina | $56,880 |
| South Dakota | $42,910 |
| Tennessee | $56,830 |
| Texas | $69,890 |
| Utah | $52,830 |
| Vermont | $54,610 |
| Virginia | $60,110 |
| Washington | $58,210 |
| West Virginia | $49,830 |
| Wisconsin | $52,310 |
| Wyoming | $56,520 |
What Tools & Technology do Physical Therapist Assistants Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Physical Therapist Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- FileMaker Pro
- Scheduling software
- Medical condition coding software
- Billing software
- Accounting software
- Bookkeeping software
- dBASE
- Laboratory information system LIS
- SpectraSoft AppointmentsPRO
- Rehab Documentation Company ReDoc Suite
- Beaver Creek Software The THERAPIST
Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant
Learn what Physical Therapist Assistant education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Who Employs Physical Therapist Assistants?
Physical Therapist Assistants work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those who work as a Physical Therapist Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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