Summary: A physical therapist aide works under the head physical therapist. They deal with the patient directly going over the stretches, exercises, and theraputic technicques that were recommended by the physical therapist. According the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career of a physical therapist aide is expected to grow about 41% between the years of 2012 and 2022.
With an average yearly pay of $52,160, the career of physical therapist aides has reached number 11 on the list of Best Healthcare Jobs and number 17 on the list of Best 100 Jobs. If you are interested in physical therapy and are a personable and compassionate person, then a career as a physical therapist aide might be the right fit for you.
Original Article: Physical Therapist Assistants: The Fastest Growing Job In America
The healthcare field has always been an area recent college grads look to as a dependable source for jobs. If you haven’t looked into becoming a physical therapist assistant yet, you may want to! The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 2012 and 2022 the number of physical therapist assistants will rise 41%. As of 2012, the average pay for a physical therapist assistant was $52,160 per year. This job is ranked #11 on the list of Best Health Care Jobs and #17 on the list of Best 100 Jobs.
The need for physical therapist assistants is significantly on the rise. Why? Baby-boomers, a huge part of the population, are growing older and are requiring more health care, including physical therapy. Physical therapy is a rapidly growing sector in the healthcare industry as a way of recovery from injury, illness, and surgery. Why work in physical therapy? For one, the ability exists to work full-time, part-time, and with a lot of flexibility. You also are taking on an entry-level job in the healthcare field with one of the highest paying salaries. Have we caught your interest yet? If so, let’s take a look at what a physical therapist assistant does on a day-to-day basis.
What is A Physical Therapist Assistant?
A physical therapist assistant, or PTA, works under the supervision of physical therapists. They assist and often facilitate their own therapy sessions. The goal of an assistant is to help rehabilitate a patient who is recovering from an injury or other condition in order to help with their pain management and overall discomfort. Be aware: physical therapy aides are commonly confused with physical therapist assistants. Aides differ from assistants in that they are limited in the tasks they can perform due to state licensing regulations and often carry little to no hands-on responsibility.
Duties of A Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants deal directly with the patient by conducting stretching, massaging, or instructing exercises created by the physical therapist during a therapy session. They keep a close eye on patients before, during, and after treatment and take note of what needs to be done to further a patient’s improvement. Responsibilities of a PTA include keeping track of patient records, cleaning therapy setups, and showing patients how to use special equipment like walkers, crutches, or canes.
Who Would Make A Good PTA?
Assistants are responsible for direct care with a patient, which makes this a great job for someone who is personable and shows compassion. People who like to be hands-on and see the results of their work would also be great for this job, because you get to see the improvement of patients and your work helping others. PTAs must have patience because progress of a patient can be a long road. More than anything, PTAs should have an encouraging nature to better help their patients’ progress. Not to mention the fact that PTAs are on their feet almost all day. You have to have the ability to stand and move for long hours at a time!
Source: http://www.business2community.com/health-wellness/physical-therapist-assistants-fastest-growing-job-america-0975801#!bHqRg3
Disclaimer: This article was shared for informational purposes only. ACHT is not responsible for any claims, advice or errors that might exist in the articles. Third party websites or analyses presented.