The Rise of the Physical Therapy Aide in 2022

The Rise of the Physical Therapy Aide in 2022

The healthcare sector includes hundreds of rewarding careers that pay well and provide a sense of fulfillment from helping people. This can also be one of the most challenging sectors, as some roles require more training and education than other sectors. However, not all healthcare jobs mandate five or ten years of study and 12-hour rotations. Some positions in this sector, such as physical therapy aides, have a more accessible point of entry.  

Employment for physical therapy aides is increasing rapidly in the U.S., faster than most other jobs. So, if you are looking to switch careers or launch a new one, this is a promising field you can explore. In this article, we will discuss the different dynamics of the profession and its job outlook. 

What is a Physical Therapy Aide? 

As the name suggests, physical therapy aides are part of a physical therapy department or support team. They report to physical therapists or physical therapy assistants and are mostly responsible for performing non-medical tasks. Physical therapy aides are different from physical therapy assistants – both have different qualification requirements and job responsibilities. Physical therapy aides are not directly involved in patient care. 

Physical therapy aides work with several different medical departments and patient types, including the following: 

• Cardiopulmonary 
• Geriatric 
• Neurologic 
• Orthopedic 
• Pediatric 

What Does a Physical Therapy Aide Do? 

Physical therapy aides do not participate in patient care directly. They are entrusted with most of the non-medical tasks and procedures that usually take place prior to or after the session. Their general responsibilities revolve around setting up required equipment before the physical therapist begins their procedures while also keeping the treatment area clean and providing anything needed by the physical therapist or their assistant. 

A physical therapy aide’s regular day starts with a consultation with the physical therapist and/or assistant and finding out the day’s schedule. The physical therapist might examine a patient or review their medical record and make notes, which the aide uses to prepare the treatment area and necessary equipment. Between patients, the aide has to clean and sterilize equipment, dispose of any single-use instruments, clean the treatment area, and prepare for the next patient. 

Apart from this, the physical therapy aide might also have to manage patient intake, transport and observe patients, record their medical history and progress, and communicate with other hospital personnel. 

Job Outlook for Physical Therapy Aides 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physical therapy aides was 46,700 in 2020. There is a projected growth of 25% between 2020 and 2030, meaning that approximately 11,800 new jobs will be created during this time. Collectively, employment for physical therapy assistants and aides will increase by 32% in this decade, with this unprecedented job growth higher than the average growth for most other occupations. 

Physical therapists need more physical therapy aides to provide support and perform non-medical tasks for their patients. Plus, the rise in orthopedic problems, especially in younger people, shows an increased demand for physical therapy services. Naturally, this would also boost the demand for physical therapy assistants and aides. 

With the current job outlook for physical therapy aides, you can be assured you are stepping into a career that has good potential for growth and career progression. 

Becoming a Physical Therapy Aide 

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a physical therapy aide, you should be delighted to know that the job does not have many prerequisites or requires exhaustive training. Furthermore, the typical starting physical therapy salary can range anywhere between $27,000 and $35,000 per year, with good growth opportunities. 

Obtaining a High School Diploma or GED 

The first step is to get your high school diploma or GED, as this is the minimum requirement to become a physical therapy aide. 

Enrolling in a Physical Therapy Aide Program 

While most jobs do not require any prior or formal training for you to become a physical therapy aide, others might make it mandatory for you to join a training program, which runs anywhere between a couple of weeks to three months in length. 

Getting Your Certification 

If you are looking to get your certification, you can enroll in the Certified Physical Therapy Aide course from ed2go. 

Once you have completed all the courses of the physical therapy aide program, you can take things to the next level by applying for the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Physical Therapy Aide/Technician Certification (PTTC).  

The course provides you with a starter kit to help you learn everything you need to know about the exam. You have up to nine months to complete your program, which is 190-course hours long but can be completed at your own pace.  

Ready to take the next step towards a rewarding healthcare career? Contact us today to get the skills and knowledge you need to become a physical therapy aid and stand out to future employers.