Physical Therapy Assistant Schools, Salaries, and Job Data
Physical Therapy Assistants Job Overview
Physical therapy assistants help physical therapists provide treatment to accident victims or those suffering from lower-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, bone fractures, head injuries and cerebral palsy to improve their mobility, relieve pain or lessen physical disabilities. They help patients exercise or learn to use crutches. Their work also involves exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, traction, and ultrasound. They must be supervised by a physical therapist.
Physical Therapy Assistants Schools and Degrees
Physical therapy assistants usually earn an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 233 accredited physical therapist assistant programs in the United States in 2006. Accredited programs usually last for 2 years and culminate in an associate’s degree. Programs provide academic study and hands-on clinical experience. The academic study includes algebra, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry and psychology course. Clinical work includes certifications in CPR and other first aid and field experience in treatment centers.
Job Requirements
Physical therapy assistants are required to have an associate’s degree in many states. In some states they are required to possess a license or registration. States that require licensure stipulate specific educational and examination criteria. Additional requirements may include certification in CPR and some hours of clinical experience. They should be well-organized, detail oriented and caring. They must also have strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people in need.
Nature of Work
Physical therapy assistants undergo a considerable amount of physical exertion while assisting patients and also may need to lift patients in certain cases, so they should possess a moderate degree of strength. Work hours vary in every office. About 23 percent of physical therapy assistants work part time. Under the directions of physical therapists, assistants make plans for patient treatment and then implement them. They teach patients how to do exercises to strengthen muscles or improve mobility.
Physical Therapy Assistants Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, physical therapy assistants held about 60,000 jobs in the U.S. That number is expected to grow by 32% during the next ten years. Employment is the highest in the following industries:
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Home Health Care Services
Nursing Care Facilities
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
Offices of Physicians
The mean hourly wage for physical therapy assistants in the US is about $21.32, while the mean annual salary is around $44,340.
Job Numbers and Growth
About 60,000 physical therapy assistants are employed nationally. Workers can expect a very low level of unemployment, if history can be used as a guide. In 2008, 2% of employees could not find jobs.
Area Job Conditions
Popular locations for employees include Gadsden (Alabama), Bay City (Michigan), and Canton (Ohio). Fewer are found in San Jose (California), San Francisco (California), and Stockton (California).
Physical therapy assistants looking for high salaries should look at Oxnard (California), San Francisco (California), and Virginia Beach (Virginia), and should avoid Bethesda (Maryland), Lafayette (Louisiana), and Lake Charles (Louisiana).
Training and Education
Workers often obtain an associate degree before starting. The percentage of employees with college degrees is 23%. Physical therapy assistants with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 65% of the total. Some workers, about 12%, had 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
Part-time physical therapy assistants are 27% of all surveyed.
Physical Therapy Assistants 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.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.