All About Physical Therapist Assistants
Example of Physical Therapist Assistant Job 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 traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Measure patients’ range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
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Things a Physical Therapist Assistant Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Physical Therapist Assistants say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Types of Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs
- Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
- Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA)
- Physical Therapy Technician (Physical Therapy Tech)
- Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
- Physiotherapy Assistant
Is There Going to be Demand for Physical Therapist Assistants?
There were about 88,300 jobs for Physical Therapist Assistant in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Physical Therapist Assistant Average Salary
Physical Therapist Assistants make between $33,780 and $79,810 a year.
Physical Therapist Assistants who work in Texas, New Jersey, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Physical Therapist Assistants 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
Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant
Individuals working as a Physical Therapist Assistant have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Physical Therapist Assistants Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Physical Therapist Assistants employed by various industries.
You May Also 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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