Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides

 Medical and scientific research has created the need for many rehabilitation services. Our population is growing older at a rate that will require the support of many health care personnel. These are just a few of the reasons that make the choice to pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant or aide a good decision.

Assistants work directly under the supervision of physical therapists. The majority of their work involves direct patient care. They work with patients to restore or improve mobility or assist patients with pain management issues. They may use techniques such as exercise, electrical stimulation, massage, hot and cold therapy, ultrasound, or traction to achieve these results. Orthopedic procedures such as hip and knee replacements are becoming increasingly more common. Assistants will often provide rehabilitation services to these clients. Individuals involved in trauma-related accidents also require the services of physical therapy for recovery. The therapist sometimes relies on assistants to offer to teach related to exercises that can be performed at home or to deliver instructions on how to use crutches or rolling walkers. Physical therapist assistants are typically required to document and report patient responses to treatments and patient progress.

Most states in the United States require an assistant to hold an associate degree. In addition, some states require licensure. There are also an additional 44 programs in development for this educational program. Completion of a state or national examination may be required for licensing as a physical therapy assistant as well.

Compensation and Duties

The average annual salary for assistants and aides according to factors such as geography, company size, and type of employer can effect wage indicators.

Many Aides work under the supervision of a physical therapist or an assistant. Their job duties are varied. They essentially are responsible for ensuring that therapy sessions run smoothly. They may transfer patients to and from therapy sessions. They maintain the therapy area with supplies and keep things clean and organized. Aides may also perform clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and filling out insurance forms. They may assist patients with dressing or undressing. An aide may weigh patients. Aides are not licensed so they do not provide any type of physical therapy with patients.

Educational requirements for an aide are a high school diploma or GED. Many facilities provide on the job-training for this position. Previous experience as a certified nursing assistant or home health aide could be beneficial when searching for this type of job.

Workplaces for physical therapy assistants and aides include acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health, schools, rehabilitation facilities, orthopedic clinics, and physician offices. Some physical therapists have private practices so this is another employment option. The working hours for these positions can vary a great deal. Some weekend work and evening work may be required.

Individuals interested in pursuing a career as a licensed physical therapist may find that beginning as an aide or assistant can offer a great deal of experience that can be helpful in achieving this goal. Working in the environment can help one feel comfortable with the terminology and procedures involved with physical therapy. This will surely be of help with the educational and clinical requirements of a physical therapy program. 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Is Physical Therapy and What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

 If you ask a person what they think of when they hear the words " physical therapy " a large percentage will tell you that they think of rehabilitation therapy for patients with injuries ranging from an accident or loss of mobility to a sports injury. They also think of other patients that need rehab therapy for illnesses that relate to musculoskeletal problems and are hospitalized for these problems. A smaller percentage may tell you that they think of physical therapy as working with some kind of exercise to work the muscles similar to what a chiropractor does while another percentage does not really know what the words "physical therapy" mean. In light of the fact that there are many preconceived notions of what physical therapy means let's first clarify what physical therapy is before we discuss what a physical therapist does and how they can help you. What Physical Therapy Really Means Physical therapy involves the process of manipulating dif
Read more

Physical Therapy with a Twist

Dynamic   Physical   Remedy  has a  particular   approach  to treatment, which ensures that each  case  gets  concentrated   attention and high-quality  care .  Dynamic   Physical   Remedy has a one-to-one  policy  wherein one  case  has one  devoted   physical  therapist from the  morning  to the  end  of the  case 's  remedy   program . In  addition  to its  affordable   services ,  Dynamic   Physical   Remedy  accepts most insurance and  workers'   compensation , offers  flexible   payment   options  as  well  as assists its  cases  with insurance  forms  and  other  billing  matters .  Dynamic   Physical   Remedy  works  nearly  with the  case 's  croaker , insurance  company,  and employer. Case  convenience  and  comfort are  also precedences  for  Dynamic   Physical   Remedy  so they  make   sure  that  movables  and consultations are on  time  and  available   day  and  night   including   noontime . Because they have a ready   staff  of  certified   physica
Read more

Physical Therapy Assistant Job Description

 Becoming a physical therapy assistant can be a great career choice for someone interested in physical fitness and medical rehabilitation and also desiring a profession in the health care industry. It can be a very demanding job, both physically and emotionally, but it is very hands-on with patients as they go through therapy for various reasons . It is recommended that candidates research the physical therapy assistant job description to learn as much as they can before making the final decision and enrolling in school or any formal training. In this way, students will understand ahead of time what to expect from this career path and whether or not it is the right decision for them. General Physical Therapy Assistant Job Description A physical therapy assistant has the important role of assisting a licensed physical therapist in providing treatment to patients in need of rehabilitative care. The duties will greatly depend on a few things, such as the type of facility, whe
Read more