What Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides Do
Physical therapist assistants and aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.
They
help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain
movement and manage pain. Physical therapist assistants are involved in
the direct care of patients. Physical therapist aides often do tasks
that are indirectly related to patient care, such as cleaning and
setting up the treatment area, moving patients, and performing clerical
duties.
Duties
Physical therapist assistants typically do the following:
- Observe patients before, during, and after therapy, noting the patient’s status and reporting it to a physical therapist
- Help patients do specific exercises as part of the plan of care
- Treat patients, using a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching
- Use devices and equipment, such as walkers, to help patients
- Educate patients and family members about what to do after treatment
Physical therapist aides typically do the following:
- Clean treatment areas and set up therapy equipment
- Wash linens
- Help patients move to or from a therapy area
- Do clerical tasks, such as answering phones and scheduling patients
Physical
therapist assistants help physical therapists provide care to patients.
Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, they treat
patients through exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other
therapeutic interventions. Physical therapist assistants record
patients’ progress and report the results of each treatment to the
physical therapist.
Work Environment
Most
physical therapist assistants and aides work in physical therapists’
offices or in hospitals. Physical therapist assistants and aides are
frequently on their feet and moving as they set up equipment and help
care for patients.
Physical therapist aides held about 49,800 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of physical therapist aides were as follows:
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 56% |
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 25 |
Offices of physicians | 6 |
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 4 |
Government | 1 |
Physical
therapist assistants held about 98,400 jobs in 2018. The largest
employers of physical therapist assistants were as follows:
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 45% |
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 23 |
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 10 |
Home healthcare services | 8 |
Offices of physicians | 5 |
Physical
therapist assistants and aides are frequently on their feet and moving
as they set up equipment and help and treat patients. Because they must
often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries.
Assistants and aides can limit these risks by using proper techniques
when they assist patients.
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant or Aide
Physical
therapist assistants entering the profession need an associate’s degree
from an accredited program. All states require physical therapist
assistants to be licensed or certified. Physical therapist aides usually
have a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training.
Education and Training
All
states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate’s
degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. In 2017,
nearly 350 associate’s degree programs for physical therapist
assistants were accredited by theCommission on Accreditation in Physical
Therapy Education.
Programs
typically last about 2 years. Classroom study includes courses in
algebra, English, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Assistants also
gain hands-on experience during supervised clinical work. They may earn
certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life
support (BLS), and other first-aid skills.
Physical
therapist aides typically have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
They usually gain clinical experience through on-the-job training that
can last from about a week to a month. Employers often prefer to hire
applicants with computer skills.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All
states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or
certified. Licensure typically requires graduation from an accredited
physical therapist assistant program and passing the National Physical
Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants. The exam is administered
by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Some states
require that applicants pass an exam on the state’s laws regulating the
practice of PTAs, undergo a criminal background check, and be at least
18 years old. Physical therapist assistants also may need to take
continuing education courses to keep their license. Check with your
state board for specific licensing requirements.
Physical therapist aides are not required to be licensed by state law.
Pay
The median annual wage for physical therapist aides was $26,240 in May 2018.
The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $58,040 in May 2018.
The
median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation
earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent
earned less than $20,040, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$39,230.
The
median annual wage for physical therapist assistants was $58,040 in May
2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,780, and the highest
10 percent earned more than $79,810.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for physical therapist aides in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Government | $32,160 |
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 31,040 |
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 28,960 |
Offices of physicians | 27,260 |
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 24,830 |
In
May 2019, the median annual wages for physical therapist assistants in
the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | $66,440 |
Home healthcare services | 62,340 |
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 56,760 |
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 56,180 |
Offices of physicians | 54,360 |
Most
physical therapist assistants and aides work full time. Some may work
nights and weekends because many physical therapy offices and clinics
have extended hours to accommodate patients’ schedules.
Job Outlook
Overall
employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to
grow 26 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all
occupations. Demand for physical therapy is expected to increase in
response to the healthcare needs of an older population and individuals
with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
Employment
of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 27 percent from
2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Employment of physical therapist aides is projected to grow 23 percent
from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Demand
for physical therapy is expected to increase in response to the health
needs of an aging population, particularly the large baby-boom
generation. This group is staying more active later in life than
previous generations did. However, many baby boomers also are entering
the prime age for heart attacks, strokes and mobility-related injuries,
increasing the demand for physical therapy needed for rehabilitation.
In
addition, a number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity,
have become more prevalent in recent years. More physical therapist
assistants and aides will be needed to manage the effects of such
conditions and help patients maintain their mobility. Moreover, medical
and technological developments should permit an increased percentage of
trauma victims and newborns with birth defects to survive, creating
added demand for therapy and rehabilitative services.
Physical therapists are
expected to increasingly use physical therapist assistants,
particularly in long-term care environments, in order to reduce the cost
of physical therapy services. Once the physical therapist has evaluated
a patient and designed a plan of care, the assistant can provide many
parts of the treatment, as directed by the therapist.