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Physical Therapy Aides Job Overview

Physical therapy aides help physical therapists when they treat the patients. A physical therapy aide may help a patient exercise or train him/her to use crutches, while also ensuring therapy equipment is ready for use.

Physical Therapy Aides Schools and Degrees

Generally, a high school diploma is required to become a physical therapy aide. Vocational training from a community college or vocational school can also be beneficial.

Job Requirements

Training is an essential requisite for a physical therapy aide. They are typically trained on the job by physical therapists.

Usually no licensure is required for a physical therapy aide. However, if they wish to advance in this field they should earn a formal education and as much experience as possible.

Physical therapy aides need to have a genuine desire to help others. They should also be well organized and have an eye for detail. As they interact with patients and therapists, good communication skills are helpful.

Nature of Work

Physical therapy aides are accountable for keeping the area of treatment clean and organized. They are also supposed to make all the necessary preparations for each patient’s therapy. When required, they move patients from one treatment area to another. If the need arises, they may apply hot and cold packs and keep a record of the condition of the patient by noting and reporting signs like those of anguish and fatigue. Routine physical therapy treatments are usually performed by physical therapy aides.

Physical therapy aides generally work in a team comprised of doctors, physical therapists and nurses. They work in health care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools for the physically challenged and physical therapy offices. Physical therapy aides need to have sufficient physical strength in order to assist patients with their treatment. Their work hours depend on the health care facility where they work. .

Physical Therapy Aides Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, physical therapy aides held about 46,000 jobs in the US. Employment is expected to grow by 24% over the next ten years and is highest in the following industries:< /p>

• Genaral Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Nursing Care Facilities
• Offices of Other Health Practitioners
• Offices of Physicians
• Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals

The mean hourly wage for physical therapy aides in the US is about $11.58, while the mean annual wages are around $24,080.

Job Numbers and Growth

There are an estimated 46,000 physical therapy aides nationally. Most recently, workers have experienced a very low level of joblessness. An estimated 2% of employees did not have employment in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Employees -of-a-feather seem to flock to Provo (Utah), Lawton (Oklahoma), and Pascagoula (Mississippi). They are less likely to be found around Rochester (New York), Atlanta (Georgia), and Charlotte (North Carolina).

Compensation of physical therapy aides is best in Colorado Springs (Colorado), Salinas (California), and Denver (Colorado), and much worse in Laredo (Texas), Parkersburg (West Virginia), and Provo (Utah).

Training and Education

Workers often find employers are looking for short-term on-the-job training. Employees, in 23% of cases, have bachelor's degree or higher. After high school, 65% of physical therapy aides pursued some additional career education. Workers, in 12% of cases, had only a high school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Physical therapy aides employed part-time are 27% of the total.

Physical Therapy Aides by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

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