What Do Physical Therapist Assistant Do?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As a Physical Therapist Assistant: What Do They Do?
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
- Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
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What a Physical Therapist Assistant Should Know
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.
Other Physical Therapist Assistant Job Titles
- Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant
- Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA)
Job Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants
In the United States, there were 88,300 jobs for Physical Therapist Assistant in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,700 job openings in this field each 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 Salary
The average yearly salary of a Physical Therapist Assistant ranges between $33,780 and $79,810.
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 |
What Tools do Physical Therapist Assistants Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Physical Therapist Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- 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:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Where do Physical Therapist Assistants Work?
Physical Therapist Assistants work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those who work as a Physical Therapist Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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