Physical Therapy Assistant: Job Description, Salary, Duties & More (2024)

If you enjoy helping people and working in the healthcare field, a career as a Physical Therapy Assistant may be for you.

As a Physical Therapy Assistant, you will be part of a team specializing in patient healing and recovery from injuries or health-related conditions, as well as increasing their quality of life.

With career advancement opportunities and high job satisfaction, a career as a Physical Therapy Assistant will set you on the path to success.

Physical Therapy Assistant Information

Official Job Title:	Physical Therapy Assistant
Average Salary:	$63,710
Stress Level:	Above Average
Work/ Life	Above Average
Job Satisfaction:	High
Career Advancement:	High

Physical Therapy Assistant Job Description

What Is A Physical Therapy Assistant?

A Physical Therapy Assistant works with a team under a Physical Therapist to provide patients suffering from injury or health-related conditions relief from pain or mobility issues.

Physical Therapy Assistants work in hospitals or physical therapy practices, with patients ranging in age from newborns to the elderly.

What Does A Physical Therapy Assistant Do On A Daily Basis?

No two days are alike for a Physical Therapy Assistant.

You may assist a professional sports player who received an injury during play one day and help teach a stroke victim how to walk again the next.

Responsibilities, Duties, And Roles Of A Physical Therapy Assistant

As a Physical Therapy Assistant, it is your role to carry out many duties and responsibilities.

These include working directly with a Physical Therapist to assess and implement a patient’s treatment plan.

You may also provide services such as soft tissue massage, ultrasound, and electrical muscle stimulation.

Physical Therapy Assistants also instruct patients to correctly use assistive devices like crutches, prosthetics, and canes.

You will also work with the Physical Therapist to observe and assess a patient’s progress and modify their treatment as necessary.

Medical reporting is a vital responsibility you will have, as recording every factor that may influence a patient’s healing process and recovery can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful treatment plan.

Physical Therapy Assistants also educate patients and their families on caring for themselves to prevent recurring injuries.

Physical Therapy Assistant Salary

Average Salary

The average salary for a Physical Therapy Assistant is $63,710.

Starting Salary

The average entry-level salary for a Physical Therapy Assistant is $46,783.

Senior Salary

The average senior salary for a Physical Therapy Assistant is $69,790.

How To Become A Physical Therapy Assistant

The Entry Level: Certification, Training, And Degree

To become a Physical Therapy Assistant, you must receive an Associate degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education or CAPTE accredited program.

You must also complete sixteen weeks of onsite clinical education experience; once finished, you are eligible to take the state-administered national exam.

You may take the Physical Therapy Assistant Advanced Proficiency Pathways Program upon passing the exam, but this is not required.

You will be required, however, to take continuing education courses to maintain your state certification.

Other Skill Sets, Requirements, And Qualifications

As a Physical Therapy Assistant, you must have a vast knowledge of the human body systems.

Systems included are neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and integumentary.

You must also have strong interpersonal skills and exhibit exemplary patient care.

Physical Therapy Assistants should have strong knowledge of multiple therapy equipment machines and various exercises.

It is also vital that you are concise and well-spoken to convey directions that the patient can easily understand.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Physical Therapy Assistant?

Becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant takes around two and a half years, including the time needed to complete your associate’s degree and your sixteen-week practical training.

Is It Hard To Become A Physical Therapy Assistant?

It is not particularly difficult to become a Physical Therapy Assistant.

However, the schooling required to become a Physical Therapy Assistant can be in-depth and requires a vast knowledge of many different bodily systems.

Learning how to apply your book knowledge to real-life skills can also take an adjustment period.

Physical Therapy Assistant Career Paths

The Physical Therapy Assistant Roadmap

The roadmap to becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant is relatively straightforward.

You begin by receiving an associate’s degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and completing sixteen weeks of full-time clinical education experience.

Once complete, you are eligible to take the state-issued national licensing exam.

If you pass the exam, you are qualified to work as a Physical Therapy Assistant, but you must take continuing education courses to maintain your state certification.

Projections For Growth In Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs

The projections for growth in Physical Therapy Assistant jobs are incredibly high and with an expected growth percentage of twenty-four percent through 2031.

Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs was voted the number one best healthcare support job of 2021 by the US News and World Report due to the faster-than-average growth rate.

In Summary: Is Physical Therapy Assistant A Good Career?

Physical Therapy Assistant is an excellent career for anyone who enjoys hands-on work and helping people.

With a higher-than-average growth rate, Physical Therapy Assistant careers are the perfect choice for anyone entering the healthcare field.

Working Conditions

Can A Physical Therapy Assistant Work Remotely From Home?

No, due to the hands-on nature of the job, a Physical Therapy Assistant can’t work remotely from home.

Although it may be possible to have some meetings through video calls, you must see the extent of the patient’s injuries or conditions in person.

How Many Hours Does A Physical Therapy Assistant Work?

A Physical Therapy Assistant generally works a forty-hour workweek.

If you have a late start to your day, you may have to work into the evening, but that is only an occasional occurrence.

Physical Therapy Assistants may sometimes work weekends to accommodate patients who have a typical working schedule, but this is dependent on the location where you work.

Can A Physical Therapy Assistant Work Part-Time?

Yes, a Physical Therapy Assistant can work part-time, but most people who work in the field work full-time.

What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Physical Therapy Assistant?

A Physical Therapy Assistant will typically receive five to nine paid vacation days after working one to five years, ten to fourteen paid vacation days after working five to ten years, and fifteen to nineteen paid vacation days after working ten-plus years.

Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant Resume Tips

When completing your resume, make sure to highlight all your education and training experience in the field.

List the jobs you performed and any added responsibilities you were in charge of.

Highlight all of your skills that directly relate to the position, including personal qualities a hiring manager may find appealing.

A Physical Therapy Assistant is a highly sought-after career, so ensuring you stand out from the crowd by showing that you offer skills and qualities other applicants may not possess is an excellent way to set yourself apart from the crowd.

Physical Therapy Assistant Interview Questions

Q1: Do you feel it is important to learn new skill sets continually?

Why It Works: Asking this question during an interview can examine a candidate’s openness to on-the-job training and learning as they go.

Being able to do this is vital to growing as a Physical Therapy Assistant.

Q2: How do you feel when a person is confrontational with you?

Why It Works: Many elderly patients may exhibit rude or aggressive behavior in this career, and younger patients can be argumentative and difficult to deal with.

Knowing the candidate can stay calm under these circumstances is vital for their involvement in the practice.

Jobs Related To Physical Therapy Assistant

If you are interested in jobs similar to a Physical Therapy Assistant, here is a short list of examples.

Home Health Aide
Exercise Physiologist
Athletic Trainer
Occupational Therapy Aide
Rehabilitation Counselor
Message Therapist

For HR Managers: Tips For Hiring A Physical Therapy Assistant

Key Characteristics To Look For In A Physical Therapy Assistant

When looking to hire a Physical Therapy Assistant, some key characteristics to look for are:

Excellent interpersonal communication skills
A desire to help others
Highly knowledgeable about body systems
Openness to learning new skills
Good problem-solving skills
Highly professional
Ability to motivate and encourage others

Minimum Level Of Education And Experience

A Physical Therapy Assistant must have a minimum of an associate’s degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, sixteen hours of practical full-time on-the-job experience, and a state-administered national licensing exam.

It is also highly encouraged that they have their Advanced Proficiency Pathways Program certification.