| Usually, when you go in for a physical therapy | | | | hands-on clinical experience. The academic |
| session, the therapist sometimes doesn't do the | | | | coursework includes algebra, English, anatomy, |
| actual treatment set up. He or she will assign those | | | | physiology, and psychology. Clinical work includes |
| duties to a therapy assistant. As it turns out, | | | | certification in CPR, first aid and field experience in |
| therapists are one of the most in demand | | | | treatment centers. Both educators and prospective |
| professions in the U.S. today. It should come as no | | | | employers view clinical experience as essential to |
| surprise that therapy assistants are equally in | | | | ensuring that students understand the responsibilities |
| demand, as are the online programs that facilitate | | | | of a physical therapist assistant. |
| their training. | | | | Most states regulate physical therapist assistants |
| First and foremost, it should be noted there is quite a | | | | through certification. They require assistants to pass |
| difference between a therapy assistant and a | | | | the National Physical Therapy Exam. Many states also |
| therapy aide. Aides generally just need a high school | | | | require continuing education credits for physical |
| degree, are hired on the spot, and are trained on the | | | | therapist assistants to maintain licensure. Complete |
| job. Their responsibility is mainly janitorial, clerical and | | | | information on regulations can be obtained from state |
| as an extra set of hands. They don't do direct | | | | licensing boards or your online college career |
| therapy. They also don't need to be registered or | | | | counselor. |
| certified. | | | | Salaries for assistants depend on where they work. |
| Physical therapist assistants support the therapist in | | | | As employment can range from a nursing home to a |
| providing care to patients. Under direction and | | | | major hospital and on to home health care, it can |
| supervision they execute the PT's programs, including | | | | differ substantially. According to the Bureau of Labor |
| providing exercise instructions. They also do | | | | Statistics, the average salary for an assistant working |
| therapeutic methods like electrical stimulation, | | | | out of a freestanding doctor's office is on the low |
| mechanical traction, ultrasound and massage, as well | | | | end at just below $44,000. On the high end, there is |
| as gait and balance training. Physical therapist | | | | the home health assistant, who averages nearly |
| assistants record the patient's responses to | | | | $52,000. Assistants can make over $60,000 with |
| treatment and report the outcome of each | | | | health care insurance. |
| treatment to the physical therapist. | | | | As of 2008, the United States employed nearly |
| Unlike the aide, an assistant does have to go to | | | | 64,000 assistants. The Bureau projects there will be a |
| college, either brick-and-mortar or online, and | | | | need for an additional 21,000 by 2018. That's a 33% |
| graduate with a minimum of a two year degree. | | | | increase, making it one of the most in demand |
| Curriculum is divided into academic classes and | | | | occupations out there. |