What to Expect from a Physical Therapy Aide Job

If you want to work in the physical therapy career field but would rather serve as an aide before deciding whether or not you want to become a PT yourself, consider obtaining a physical therapy aide job. The requirements for an aide are easier and less time consuming to meet than those required for a physical therapist or even an assistant. Some aides go on to become licensed therapists themselves, others go on to become assistants and some are quite fulfilled in their job position and see no reason to change it.

As mentioned earlier there is a difference between the physical therapy assistant and the aide. An assistant works directly under the physical therapist to provide aspects of treatment. Assistants may play important roles in treatments like exercise, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage, ultrasound and more. They also record and manage information related to the patient's treatment and progress and report to the therapist. They are essentially what a head nurse is to a doctor. It takes education and training, not to mention licensing to become an assistant.

Physical therapy aides are supervised by the assistant and the therapist. Their duties include cleaning and prepping the treatment area, assisting patients who need help walking or their wheelchair pushed, and sometimes clerical work. While physical therapist assistants must be licensed by their respective state, there are no licensing requirements for physical therapist aides. This means while the jobs are easier to get there is also more competition for them. For both physical therapy assistant salaries and aide salaries, the numbers depend on location, experience and employer. On average, a physical therapy aide can make anywhere from around $15,000 to $32,000 annually.

Whether or not you should become an aide or assistant depends on whether or not you want to attend physical therapy assistant school and take the state exam for licensure. Basically it depends on your level of ambition. A physical therapy aide job is a great introduction to this career field for anyone who is interested in pursuing it. Whether you go on to become an assistant or even a therapist, or remain a physical therapy aide you are sure to find helping others in their rehabilitation very rewarding.

You Can Be Me -- A Career in Physical Therapy (APTA)

 

 

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