Physical Therapy Assistant online, Physical Therapy Aide

Physical Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapy Aides Overview

Physical therapists need assistance when dealing with and treating patients that is why physical therapist assistants and aides are present. PT assistants and aides are often asked by PTs to assist patients do their exercise and teach them the proper use of crutches. Likewise, they are responsible in gathering and preparing the equipments to be used during the therapy session. Their patients often include people with disability like store survivors, and accident victims.

In particular, PT assistants help PTs provide patient care. They work under the direct supervision of a PT in assisting exercise routine, provide instructions, perform electrical stimulation and massage and give trainings for gait and balance. Gathering information and recording them are also the responsibilities of PT assistants.

On the other hand, PT aides are not only supervised by PTs but they may also be under the supervision of the PT assistants. Their nature of work circles around maintaining clean and therapeutic environment inside the treatments area, patient assistance and clerical works. Unlike the PTs and PT assistants, PT aides are not licensed by the state hence they are prohibited to perform clinical tasks.

Both PT assistants and aides should be at least moderately-build and strong enough as his their job requires physical exertion especially when they assist and lift patients. Also, in their line of work, they frequently kneel, stoop, bend and stand in periods of time.

Their time of work varies from institution to institution and many of them, about 28% are only working part-time. However, since most of outpatient facilities’ schedules are set to coincide with the patients’ own schedule then it is expected that many of PT assistants and aides work at night and on weekends.

The difference between the PT assistants and PT aides are their education and training backgrounds. Majority of PT assistants are graduates of associate’s degree in physical therapy and it is required for them to take and pass a licensure examination for physical therapy assistants as mandated by some States before they can practice.

On the other hand, PT aides need not to be a degree holder. They just have to provide the employer with their high school diploma and attend trainings and seminar conducted by the institution. They are, likewise, not required to be licensed professionals in order to work in facilities.

A number of PT aides have pursued education to become PT assistants; while some PT assistants advance to specialized field like pediatric, geriatric, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary therapy. PT assistants can also acquire managerial positions or be an educator.

In 2008, there were about 109,900 positions held by PT assistants and aides wherein 63,800 where held by PT assistants and 46,100 where held by PT aides. About 72% of the jobs are in hospital settings and health practitioners’ offices. Other job prospects are nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers and home healthcare services.

It is foreseen that the demands for PT assistants and aides will increase in 2018 by 35%. It is because the population is growing old hence the demands for geriatric services will also increase. Also, in today’s time, many individuals are experiencing cardiac problems which are debilitating in nature. They will also need the service of PT assistants and aides to restore their optimum body functionality. Other prospect clients are victims of trauma and newborn with congenital defects that needs therapy and rehabilitation.

For a PT assistant, the average salary per annum is $46,140 based on data collected on May 2008 with the highest possible earning of $63,830 and lowest possible earning of $28,580. While for a PT aide, the average salary per annum is $23, 760 with the highest possible income of $33,540 and lowest possible income of $17,270. The variations of income are due to different work setting and States where the health practitioner chooses to work