A physical therapy assistant is a professional who aids physiotherapists in their rehabilitation and treatment of patients.  Physical therapy assistants, or PTAs, are emerging vocations that will likely increase within the next decade as the physical therapy profession itself explodes.

Physical Therapy Assistant Background

A physical therapy assistant, also called a physical therapist assistant, is someone who aids in the rehabilitation and therapy of a patient undergoing physical therapy.  Licensed physical therapist assistants work under the supervision and instruction of a physical therapist.  The position often requires an associate's or bachelor's degree in addition to a state certification. 

Physical Therapy Assistant Salary

A physical therapy assistant salary is most often determined upon an hourly wage, usually in the range of $18 to $27 dollars an hour, with a median and average in the $40,000's per year.  Generally, the higher wages are determined by experience, education, and specialty, as well as the nature of the facility offering the position.

Physiotherapy Assistant Jobs

Physiotherapy assistant jobs are, as a rule, only available as employers that employ physical therapists.  However, not all forms of physical therapy require assistants, meaning the physiotherapy assistant jobs on the market are usually for very specialized types of physical therapy work.  Therefore, they may have to work with very specific patients, injuries, or facilities. 

Physical Therapy Aide Jobs

Physical therapy aide jobs are quite different that physical therapist assistant jobs.  Physical therapy aides are not allowed, legally, to do anything that would really involve physical therapist work, since their position is often unlicensed.  Physical therapy aide jobs generally involve a lot of clerical work and maintenance, and also leading a patient to and from the physical therapy area.