What is a Physical Therapist Aide?
Physical Therapist Aide Job Description Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
A Day in the Life of a Physical Therapist Aide
- Maintain equipment or furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly or disassembly of equipment or accessories.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
- Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
- Measure patient’s range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
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Physical Therapist Aide Required Skills
These are the skills Physical Therapist Aides 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.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Other Physical Therapist Aide Job Titles
- Therapy Aide
- Physiotherapy Aide
- Restorative Aide (RA)
- Physical Therapist Aide (PTA)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Aide
Job Demand for Physical Therapist Aides
There were about 52,000 jobs for Physical Therapist Aide in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,200 new jobs for Physical Therapist Aide by 2026. There will be an estimated 8,500 positions for Physical Therapist Aide per year.
The states with the most job growth for Physical Therapist Aide are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Physical Therapist Aide
Physical Therapist Aides make between $20,040 and $39,230 a year.
Physical Therapist Aides who work in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Physical Therapist Aides make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,190 |
| Alaska | $46,230 |
| Arizona | $28,360 |
| Arkansas | $25,650 |
| California | $31,090 |
| Colorado | $32,240 |
| Connecticut | $30,980 |
| Delaware | $26,050 |
| District of Columbia | $30,520 |
| Florida | $27,160 |
| Georgia | $27,270 |
| Hawaii | $30,050 |
| Idaho | $39,120 |
| Illinois | $31,100 |
| Indiana | $29,450 |
| Iowa | $27,580 |
| Kansas | $27,490 |
| Kentucky | $26,320 |
| Louisiana | $27,620 |
| Maine | $30,690 |
| Maryland | $25,980 |
| Massachusetts | $33,740 |
| Michigan | $27,810 |
| Minnesota | $37,230 |
| Mississippi | $22,870 |
| Missouri | $28,940 |
| Montana | $28,320 |
| Nebraska | $28,000 |
| Nevada | $26,000 |
| New Hampshire | $32,820 |
| New Jersey | $27,480 |
| New Mexico | $28,210 |
| New York | $30,230 |
| North Carolina | $27,780 |
| North Dakota | $33,350 |
| Ohio | $28,210 |
| Oklahoma | $21,610 |
| Oregon | $30,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,450 |
| Rhode Island | $33,960 |
| South Carolina | $30,440 |
| South Dakota | $28,810 |
| Tennessee | $25,740 |
| Texas | $26,810 |
| Utah | $22,860 |
| Vermont | $33,900 |
| Virginia | $28,110 |
| Washington | $29,870 |
| West Virginia | $25,620 |
| Wisconsin | $30,460 |
| Wyoming | $26,080 |
What Tools & Technology do Physical Therapist Aides Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Physical Therapist Aides may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- MEDITECH software
- Scheduling software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Patient record maintenance software
How to Become a Physical Therapist Aide
Learn what Physical Therapist Aide education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Physical Therapist Aides Work
Physical Therapist Aides work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Physical Therapist Aide might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Physical Therapist Aide in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Sgt. Courtney Richardson, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs via Public domain
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