Physical Therapist Aides

A physical therapy aide works under the direction of physical therapists, performing non-medical tasks such as patient intake, setting up treatment rooms, and assisting with patient transportation. They document patient progress and communicate with hospital personnel and physicians' offices. Key responsibilities include preparing the treatment area, cleaning and setting up equipment, scheduling treatment sessions, and maintaining equipment. Skills required for this role include patient care, customer service, front office, and good communication skills.

A physical therapy aide typically earns an average of $27,000 annually or $13.09 an hour.

It typically takes less than 1 month to become a physical therapy aide:

• Some on-the-job training to learn relevant duties and skills, such as assisting with therapeutic exercises, setting up equipment, and observing patients.

Physical therapy aides often choose to become physical therapists, outpatient physical therapists, case managers, or patient care managers. Other options include massage therapists, registered nurses, therapists, clinical supervisors, directors of social services, or office managers.

The educational requirements for a physical therapy aide are varied, with many having a high school diploma and receiving on-the-job training. Some states may require aides to complete a formal education program. Common certifications held by physical therapy aides include Advanced First Aid & CPR, Massage Therapy Certification, and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor. Common majors for physical therapy aides include Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, and Biology.

Physical therapy aides play a crucial role in supporting physical therapists and patients. They assist patients with exercises, manage appointment scheduling, and verify medical insurance coverage. They also maintain a clean environment, provide direct patient care, and perform administrative tasks.

• Manage flexible schedule at various company facilities.
• Administer ultrasound and electrical stimulation and start patients with their prescribed exercise programs.
• Educate patients on supportive devices, such as braces, splints, and slings.
• Earn repeated appreciations from supervisors and patients for providing quality care with compassion.

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your physical therapy aide resume. You can use various resume templates to make the resume writing process easier while ensuring that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a physical therapy aide resume.

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The average Physical Therapy Aide salary in the United States is $31,160 per year or $15 per hour. Physical therapy aide salaries range between $8,000 and $118,000 per year.