''The tasks that aides perform are different parts of physical therapy procedures. When assisting patients it is always done under the direction of the therapist. Aides provide the therapist with help during treatments for mobility and they help apply ice and heat used to alleviate pain. Patients may include victims of accidents and those with disabling circumstances.
Aids are not certified; that is why their jobs are limited to tasks around the patient:
- Maintaining cleanliness and organization of treatment area.
- Preparing patients before session.
- Transferring patients to or from treatment areas when they need help.
- The size and location of the practice may affect clerical duties and work of therapist aides.
Physical therapist aides help make therapy sessions productive under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. They usually are responsible for keeping the treatment area clean and organized and for preparing for each patient's therapy. When patients need assistance moving to or from a treatment area, aides push them in a wheelchair or provide them a shoulder to lean on. Because they are not licensed, aides do not perform the clinical tasks of a physical therapist assistant in states where licensure is required.
The duties of aides include some clerical tasks, such as:
- Ordering depleted supplies.
- Answering the phone.
- Filling out insurance forms and other paperwork.
Special Requirements:
Physical therapist aides need some strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with their treatment. In some cases, aides need to lift patients. Frequent kneeling, stooping, and standing are part of the job.
Working Hours:
The hours and days that physical therapist assistants and aides work vary with the facility. About 23% of all aides work part time. Many outpatient physical therapy offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours to work with patients' schedules.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Physical therapist aides are trained on the job. Employers typically require aides to have a high school diploma.
Anticipated Employment Outlook:
Employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing consumer demand for physical therapy services. Job prospects for physical therapist aides are expected to be very good. Aides should experience keen competition for jobs.
Employment Change:
Employment of physical therapist aides will increase by almost 30% over the next five years. This is almost three times as fast as other jobs. The limitations set by the Federal Government on Medicare and Medicaid for therapy will affect the position in the short run, but it will equal out over time because patient load is going to increase as the Baby Boomers generation gets older.
Physical therapists will use aides and assistants to reduce the cost of physical therapy services. Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is created by the physical therapist, the aide can perform some parts of the treatment as approved by the therapist.
Future:
- Employment in the field is expected to rise faster than the average due to the increasing number of individuals who are disabled or who are aged.
- Facilities will lower costs by hiring more aides and fewer therapists.
- Physical therapist assistants usually obtain an associate's degree; however, physical therapist aides mainly receive on-the-job training.
- Almost 75% of all jobs existed in hospitals or physical therapy offices.''
1. The field is a great part-time or full-time occupation for teens and college students as well as young adults. It puts them in an environment where they help people and work in a professional environment. There are also occasional jobs that would attract younger workers.
