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Physical therapy is a growing part of the medical industry. Physical therapists are key to recovery for some patients who are recuperating from injuries, illnesses, and surgery. They work with patients to help them regain movement and manage pain, either in a hospital or clinical setting. They are fully licensed to practice therapy and treatment on patients, and doing so often helps patients reclaim their lives, their momentum, and their contentment.

Physical therapy aides and assistants are typically entry-level roles in the field. However, it's important to note that physical therapy aides and assistants have different responsibilities. The role of an assistant often requires a specific degree and certification or licensure, depending on the state in which you reside. An aide might qualify for employment without a college degree or certification.

The Role of a Physical Therapy Aide

While a physical therapy aide is not a licensed practitioner, they are still a crucial part of a physical therapy team or office and help physical therapists deliver quality care to their patients. They work in the behind the scenes, in hands on projects, and coordinators of all things physical therapy. Any physical therapy office or department runs more smoothly and effectively with an organized physical therapy aide.

The following are regular responsibilities and duties that a physical therapy aide would find any day on the job:

Prepare for upcoming therapy sessions by organizing the treatment locations based on the patient's needs

Clean therapy area and set up any needed and necessary equipment

Watch the patient's development during therapy sessions and make notes on how the patient is responding. Therapists and physical therapy assistants use these notes and reports to evaluate the usefulness and helpfulness of specific treatments for patients.

Help patients move from one area of therapy to another - aides should have physical strength because they may have to move several immobile patients each day. Aides are there to help patients walk, push them in wheelchairs, or assist in sitting and standing. They are even sometimes responsible for helping to pick them up and move them to another location.

Fulfill office and clerical duties, such as ordering supplies, answering phone calls, taking appointments, calling patients, and helping complete and file insurance paperwork

Physical therapy aides are able to work in several areas of the facility or clinic, which is a definite job perk for some people. It is not strictly a clerical role, but does combine clerical responsibilities with some medical oriented and interpersonal and patient tasks. It is a role that requires organizational skills, as well as the ability to be flexible and reliable.

While physical therapy aides are always going to work where physical therapists work, as the physical therapy grows, you can find physical therapists in more and more places and departments of medicine. This creates more opportunities for physical therapy aides. Some places include:

Private Clinics

Hospitals

Nursing Homes

Rehabilitation Centers

Home Care

Orthopedic clinics

The average salary for a physical therapy aide is almost $24,000, while the top ten percent of earners earn close to $35,000. Some deciding factors in salary are experience, as well as size and location of clinic or organization. While working as an aide, someone may choose to continue their education to become a physical therapy assistant or pursue another avenue in the healthcare field to earn more money or widen their knowledge of the medical field.

Being a physical therapy aide can be a fun and flexible career. It offers people the ability to work in a steady job in the medical field without taking any tests or requiring any certification, but offers a lot of on the job training and valuable learning in an office or clinical environment. It is also the important work that helps both patients and doctors in progressing treatment forward and helping to ensure the best care at all levels.

Purdue University - Purdue University is one of the nation's largest providers of online education. The school has a bachelor program for Health and Wellness as well as Health Science. While these programs will help students in learning many of the credentials needed for physical therapy assisting, on the job training and further education may be required.

South University - South University offers an AS degree in Physical Therapy Assisting that is designed to be completed in about two years. This program teaches students skills needed to be successful including patient interaction, preparing patients as well as equipment for testing or exams, verifying insurance coverage, filing reports, and ordering supplies. South also offers an AS in Occupational Therapy Assisting and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy

AT Still University - For students who wish to obtain their education while holding part- or full-time jobs, AT Still University makes that possible by offering an online program for their MS in Physician Assistant Studies. This program is designed for students seeking a career in healthcare and helps prepare them for various positions like Physical Therapy Aide.

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Physical therapy is a growing part of the medical industry. Physical therapists are key to recovery for some patients who are recuperating from injuries, illnesses, and surgery. They work with patients to help them regain movement and manage pain, either in a hospital or clinical setting.

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This is what the interior of a physical therapy office looks like (the equipment may vary).

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This piece of equipment helps patients re-learn how to walk and/or use their legs.

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This piece of equipment helps people re-learn how to walk up and down stairs.

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Physical Therapists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of the rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.

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Physical therapists typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, and private offices and clinics. They spend most of their work day on their feet, working with patients.

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I am interested in this career my brother helps the trainer at the high school. He really enjoys it so I thought it would be an interesting career to research and possibly pursue. Also, when my mom was in physical therapy for her back, I got to go in and see what they do for myself. I thought it was cool how simple stretches a few times a week can aid in the healing process of a surgery  or injury.

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Let's explore which major options and prerequisite coursework are recommended for aspiring physical therapists at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We'll review the prerequisite classes required for admission into a physical therapy/PT program, as well as licensing and career information.

Undergraduate preparation for physical therapists usually includes majoring in one of the foundational sciences, such as biology or physiology, though the specific major isn't necessarily important. For aspiring physical therapists, coursework is most important, as there are specific undergraduate prerequisites that must be completed in order to gain admission to a graduate PT program. The mandatory prerequisite classes are generally the same regardless of whichever major is chosen. PT prerequisite courses include, but are not always limited to:

It's often recommended that undergraduates gain volunteer or internship experience with a physical therapy provider as well, since observation hours are a common requirement for entry to PT graduate programs.

At the graduate level, students study the methods and practices of the physical therapy profession. Graduate courses teach body movement and therapeutic techniques, as well as how to work with pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Students must typically participate in supervised clinical internships during the program.

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what should you major in to become a physical therapist?

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What Should You Major in to Become a Physical Therapist?

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Physical therapists generally major in biology or another foundational science as an undergraduate, and they undergo specialized training in physical therapy (PT) at the graduate level. All states require physical therapists to obtain licensure and at least a master's degree in order to practice.

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Physical therapy is part of the medical field of science. Physical therapists work with patients to help them regain control of certain body parts that may have been injured or undergone surgery. Strengthening those muscles and body parts is also an important aspect of physical therapy. They also help people manage their pain, this could include recommending a patient to a pain consultant or performing acupuncture. (Not all physical therapists perform acupuncture).

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Your doctor might suggest this type of treatment if you've had an injury or illness that makes it hard to do daily tasks.

Physical therapy (PT) is care that aims to ease pain and help you function, move, and live better. You may need it to:

Relieve pain

Improve movement or ability

Prevent or recover from a sports injury

Prevent disability or surgery

Rehab after a stroke, accident, injury, or surgery

Work on balance to prevent a slip or fall

Manage a chronic illness like diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis

Recover after you give birth

Control your bowels or bladder

Adapt to an artificial limb

Learn to use assistive devices like a walker or cane

Get a splint or brace

People of all ages get physical therapy. It can treat a variety of health problems.

What Is a Physical Therapist?

These licensed health professionals get specific graduate training in physical therapy. You may hear them called PTs or physiotherapists.

Some PTs get a master's degree. Others also have a doctorate in physical therapy. They must pass a national exam to get certified. They're licensed by the states where they practice.

Physical therapists look at your needs and guide your therapy. They may perform hands-on treatments for your symptoms. They also teach you special exercises to help you move and function better.

In most states, you can go directly to a physical therapist without a referral from your doctor. Or your doctor might prescribe it. Check your insurance policy to see if you need a prescription to cover the cost.

If you have a serious illness or injury, a PT won't take the place of your doctor. But he will work with your doctors and other health care professionals to guide treatments. You'll feel better and you'll be more likely to get back full function in the area being treated.

PTs often have assistants. They're also trained to do many types of physical treatments.

What Does a PT Do?

At your first therapy session, your PT will examine and assess your needs. He'll ask you questions about your pain or other symptoms, your ability to move or do everyday tasks, how well you sleep, and your medical history.

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The PT will give you tests to measure:

How well you can move around, reach, bend, or grasp

How well you walk or climb steps

Your heartbeat or rhythm while active

Your posture or balance

Then, he'll work with you to create a treatment plan. It will include your personal goals like functioning and feeling better, plus exercises or other treatments to help you reach them.

You may take less or more time to reach those goals than other people in physical therapy. Everyone is different. You may also have more or fewer sessions than others. It just depends on your needs.

You treatments might include:

Exercises or stretches guided by your therapist

Massage, heat, or cold therapy, warm water therapy, or ultrasound to ease muscle pain or spasms

Rehab to help you learn to use an artificial limb

Practice with gadgets that help you move or stay balanced, like a cane or walker

Your therapist will watch your progress and adjust your treatments as necessary.

You can do the exercises your therapist teaches you at home between sessions. This will help you stay on track and improve your fitness.

Where Do You Get PT?

PTs sometimes come to your home to guide your therapy. They also work in:

Hospitals

Outpatient clinics

Sports medicine centers

Private medical offices

Nursing homes

Assisted living homes

Rehab centers

Offices and work sites

Schools or colleges

Sources

SOURCES:

American Physical Therapy Association.

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital: "10 Reasons Why Physical Therapy Is Beneficial."

American College of Rheumatology: "The Role of the Physical Therapist in the Management of Rheumatic Disease."

Hospital for Special Surgery: "Ask the Expert: When to See a Physical Therapist."

Rasmussen College: "What Does a Physical Therapy Assistant Do?

Baylor Scott & White Health: "Your First Appointment in Physical Therapy."

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What's Physical Therapy? How to Feel and Function Better

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Your doctor might suggest this type of treatment if you've had an injury or illness that makes it hard to do daily tasks. Physical therapy (PT) is care that aims to ease pain and help you function, move, and live better.

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Here is a physical therapist aiding a patient in a stretch for his muscles.

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In high school, taking biology and sports medicine is very helpful in becoming a physical therapist.
Most college students studying to become a physical therapist get a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor's degree in health sciences or biology. Some required prerequisites are statistics, psychology, biology, chemistry, and physics. To become a certified physical therapist, you would need a doctorate in physical therapy.

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This career definitely impacts everyday people in a positive way. It helps with recovery after an injury or surgery. It also gives people the help they need to make everyday tasks easier and less painful.

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The average salary of a physical therapist is $88,000.