Physical Therapy Assistants are a Vital Part of any Healthcare Team

A physical therapy assistant is a vital part of the healthcare team. Working alongside a licensed physical therapist, physical therapy assistant helps increase the patient mobility and decrease patient pain.

Physical therapy assistants are responsible for many duties within the course of a daily routine. These duties may include caring treatments as directed by the physical therapist, cleaning patient areas, moving patients from one treatment area to another, and providing encouragement to patients. Additional duties include setting up and confirming appointments, updating patient charts, and ordering supplies as needed. Some telephone responsibilities are also required of the physical therapy assistant.

There are many steps to becoming a physical therapy assistant. Those choosing this career path will need to complete an Associates degree in physical therapy which takes about 2 years to finish. In addition to classroom training, physical therapy assistant must also pass a state exam for licensure before being able to pursue a job within physical therapy.

There are, of course, specializations within the physical therapy field which can result in higher pay. Specializing can also acquire additional certification and helps the physical therapist get experience in order to be eligible to earn more.

Patients can be of any age and may have varying degrees of mobility issues and disability. Some patients will only be temporarily disabled while others will be permanently disabled. Patients may have injuries such as head trauma or be without physical injury.

Physical therapy assistant works within a dynamic medical setting and functions as an important piece of the healthcare team. Communication skills need to be readily available as a physical therapy assistant is required to speak with other members of the healthcare team in order to fully meet the needs of the patient. Physical therapy assistants also speak directly with patients during treatment, appointment setting, and answering questions on the phone.

A physical therapist assistant can expect to earn $14 an hour to $22 an hour depending upon several factors. Some specializations pay more but the general field of physical therapy can earn more than others. In addition, geographical location may also play a part in salary range. For example, the cost of living may differ from state to state causing a difference in the rate of pay given to the physical therapist assistant.

In physical therapy, there is a need for physical therapy assistants. Currently, the job market is promising for those choosing this field. Most physical therapist can work both part-time and full-time depending on their perference.




Physical therapy is a great occupation is a down economy. In addition, the physical pherapy assistant salary is on the rise. To find out more information on becoming a physical therapy assistant, please visit: =>http://physicaltherapyassistanthq.com/

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