All About Physical Therapist Aides

Example of a Physical Therapist Aide Job 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.

Physical Therapist Aide Responsibilities

• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
• Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, adjusting fit as needed.
• Measure patient’s range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
• Schedule patient appointments with physical therapists and coordinate therapists’ schedules.
• Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.

What Every Physical Therapist Aide Should Know

When polled, Physical Therapist Aides say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

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.

Types of Physical Therapist Aides

• Physical Therapy Attendant
• Therapy Aide
• Physical Therapy Aide (PTA)
• Restorative Aide (RA)
• Physiotherapy Aide

Are There Job Opportunities for Physical Therapist Aides?

There were about 52,000 jobs for Physical Therapist Aides in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29.4% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,300 new jobs for Physical Therapist Aides 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 Aides are California, Texas, and New York.

Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Physical Therapist Aide Salary

The average yearly salary of a Physical Therapist Aide ranges between $20,040 and $39,230. A Physical Therapist Aide median salary is $26,240.

How much do Physical Therapist Aides make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alaska	$46,230
Idaho	$39,120
Minnesota	$37,230
Rhode Island	$33,960
Vermont	$33,900
Massachusetts	$33,740
North Dakota	$33,350
New Hampshire	$32,820
Colorado	$32,240
Illinois	$31,100
California	$31,090
Connecticut	$30,980
Maine	$30,690
District of Columbia	$30,520
Wisconsin	$30,460
South Carolina	$30,440
New York	$30,230
Oregon	$30,200
Hawaii	$30,050
Washington	$29,870
Indiana	$29,450
Pennsylvania	$29,450
Missouri	$28,940
South Dakota	$28,810
Arizona	$28,360
Montana	$28,320
New Mexico	$28,210
Ohio	$28,210
Virginia	$28,110
Nebraska	$28,000
Michigan	$27,810
North Carolina	$27,780
Louisiana	$27,620
Iowa	$27,580
Kansas	$27,490
New Jersey	$27,480
Georgia	$27,270
Florida	$27,160
Texas	$26,810
Kentucky	$26,320
Alabama	$26,190
Wyoming	$26,080
Delaware	$26,050
Nevada	$26,000
Maryland	$25,980
Tennessee	$25,740
Arkansas	$25,650
West Virginia	$25,620
Mississippi	$22,870
Utah	$22,860
Oklahoma	$21,610

Tools & Technologies Used by Physical Therapist Aides

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Physical Therapist Aides:

• Microsoft Excel
• MEDITECH software
• Epic Systems
• Microsoft Outlook
• Medical procedure coding software
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Word

Becoming a Physical Therapist Aide

Are there Physical Therapist Aide education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become Physical Therapist Aide?

Where do Physical Therapist Aides Work?

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming Physical Therapist Aides might also be interested in the following careers:

• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Career changers with experience as a Physical Therapist Aide sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Pharmacy Technicians

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons