All About Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Description 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.
Life As a Physical Therapist Assistant: What Do They Do?
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
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Skills Needed to be a Physical Therapist Assistant
Below is a list of the skills most Physical Therapist Assistants 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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Physical Therapist Assistant Job Titles
- Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA)
- Physical Therapist Assistant and Nurse Aide
- Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant
- Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,700 job openings in this field each 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.
Physical Therapist Assistant Average Salary
The salary for Physical Therapist Assistants ranges between about $33,780 and $79,810 a year.
Physical Therapist Assistants who work in Texas, New Jersey, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make in different U.S. states?
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Physical Therapist Assistants
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Physical Therapist Assistants:
- 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
- Client caseload management software
How do I Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
What education is needed to be a Physical Therapist Assistant?
What work experience do I need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Where Physical Therapist Assistants Work
Below are examples of industries where Physical Therapist Assistants work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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