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The road to becoming a physical therapist is longer than that of a physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide. A physical therapist must first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree, usually in a related field such as kinesiology or exercise science, and then complete a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree that takes two and a ...
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- Overview
- What is a physical therapy aide?
- What is a physical therapy assistant?
- Physical therapy aide vs. assistant
- How to become a physical therapy aide
- How to become a physical therapy assistant
If you're interested in a career in patient care, you might consider becoming a physical therapy assistant or aide. While there are many similarities between the two roles, knowing how they differ can help you determine which patient care path you want to take. In this article, we compare and contrast physical therapy assistants and aides and show ...
A physical therapy aide is a physical therapy support team member who performs non-medical tasks to care for patients going through PT. Under the guidance and supervision of a physical therapist (PT) and a physical therapist assistant, they may be responsible for:
•Escorting and transporting patients to and from treatment rooms
•Cleaning treatment rooms before and after appointments
•Organizing tools, equipment and other items in the treatment room
•Preparing non-medical treatment tools, such as heating pads or ice packs
•Observing and documenting patients before, during and after treatment
A physical therapy assistant (PTA) helps PTs in providing therapeutic care to patients who have suffered injuries, are recovering from surgery or whose mobility has been affected by disease or chronic health conditions. Their responsibilities may include:
•Observing and documenting patients' status and progress before, during and after treatment
•Helping PTs develop and implement tailored treatment plans
•Providing treatment to patients under the supervision of a PT
•Collaborating with reception staff and medical assistants in preparing patients for intake and discharge
•Organizing and cleaning tools, equipment and other items in a treatment room
Role
A physical therapy aide focuses solely on helping patients before and after treatment, completing clerical work and keeping the treatment facility clean and organized. A PTA helps PTs and patients during treatment, completes some clerical work regarding patient progress files and is trained to provide effective therapeutic treatment under the supervision of a PT.
Education
A physical therapy aide is only required to have a high school diploma, GED or the equivalent. Some may pursue an optional professional certificate program, which offers various PT-related coursework, to prepare aides for a job. These can often be found at technical colleges and vocational schools. A PTA is required to complete an associate degree in physical therapy assistance from an accredited program. This degree can take two years or more to complete and provides specialized clinical training in physical therapy.
Training
An aide is likely to complete on-the-job training to learn the tasks they need to complete. They may train under a PT, a PTA or a more senior physical therapy aide to do so. Aides who complete the professional certificate may come into a role having had training in: •Medical terminology •Knowledge of common physical conditions and disorders treated by physical therapy •PT techniques and exercises used in treatment •Proper communication with PTs, PTAs and other staff •Patient records management A PTA receives hands-on training while completing their associate degree and additional relevant certifications. In their associate degree program, they learn: •Common conditions and disorder treated by PT •Human anatomy and physiology •Clinical procedures for physical therapy treatments •Assessment and observation practices •Utilization of tools and equipment to measure and improve patients' strength, gait, balance and dexterity •Treatment plan development, assessment and revision •Collaboration with a PT during treatment •Patient communication and motivation tactics •Patient records management
if you're interested in becoming a physical therapy aide, take the following steps:
1.Earn your high school diploma or GED. These qualifications provide you basic math and communication skills, which can help you in a physical therapy aide role. You must also be 18 years or older to qualify for most positions.
2.Complete the optional professional certificate. Research vocational and technical colleges in your area, and earn a physical therapy aide professional diploma or certificate. This qualification can better prepare you for a role and even reduce your training time, making your more job-ready than other candidates without this program.
3.Take a CPR course. Increase your medical and patient care knowledge by taking a CPR and first aid course. Learn how to properly perform CPR, dress wounds and manage other emergency situations to make you even more job-ready.
If you'd rather become a physical therapy assistant, these are the steps to follow:
1.Earn an associate degree. Research and apply to an associate degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Complete your coursework, examinations and clinical practice to earn your degree in two years.
2.Become certified in CPR. While your associate degree program may provide CPR and first aid certification, you may need to pursue it from a local hospital, community organization or emergency services institution, like the fire station, that offers it.
3.Work as a physical therapy aide. While earning your associate degree, consider gaining relevant experience as a physical therapy aide. In this role, you can better learn the practices of PT and network with practicing professionals.
4.Gain licensure to practice in your state. Pass the NPTE in the state you want to practice in and submit your scores and application for licensure. This license allows you to work as a practicing PTA.
5.Maintain your licensure. After earning your license, you must meet your state's requirements to renew it regularly. You may need to take courses in physical therapy practices, clinical procedures and updated medical technology to keep your knowledge and skills current. How often you need to renew your license and how many hours of continuing education credits you must complete may depend on your state's board.
Others work in private clinics and voluntary organisations or charities. As well as working with physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants work with other healthcare professionals including occupational therapists, orthopaedic surgeons, prosthetists, orthotists and nurses. They spend a lot of time with patients.
Jan 7, 2024 · Earning potential differs significantly between physical therapist assistants and aides. On average, physical therapy aides earn a median annual wage of $31,410, with the top 10% exceeding $37,920 (BLS, 2022). Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) command a higher median of $62,770, with the top 10% earning beyond $85,230 (BLS, 2022).
Jun 6, 2024 · And this brings us to one of the key differences between a PT and a PTA: While a PTA may perform hands-on therapy and guide patients through their exercises, only a licensed physical therapist has the credentials to create patients’ care plans. 1,2. As the American Physical Therapy Association states, “When the physical therapist utilizes a ...
Jan 28, 2021 · It’s to be expected that becoming a physical therapist, which requires a doctorate, will leave you with a higher salary than if you were a PTA, but the gap between the two may not be as wide as you think. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median physical therapist assistant salary in May 2019 was $58,790 per year or $23.55 per ...
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May 23, 2024 · Although both work under a licensed physical therapist, these two roles share little in common. Physical therapist assistants—sometimes called “PTAs”—are directly involved in patients’ treatment. They guide patients through exercises and trainings, following the care plans physical therapists create. Conversely, physical therapy aides ...
