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Physical Therapist Aide Salary
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: March, 15 2010
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What’s the national salary average for a physical therapy aide?
According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor statistics, the average annual salary for a physical therapy aide is $23,000. The highest average earners work in skilled nursing facilities where the average salary is $26,000. Experienced aides in urban settings where incomes tend to be higher may earn as much as $34,000 a year. In many cases, physical therapy aide positions are full time and may include benefit packages that include vacation time, sick time, and health and dental insurance.Learn about physical therapy aide training programs.
Are their specialty skills that can enhance my earning potential or make me a more desirable job candidate?
While there are few clinical specialties that physical therapy aides can pursue due to the limitations placed on them with regard to providing direct patient
care, there are some skills that can enhance marketability and earning potential. Candidates who understand patient handling processes and some medical terminology have an advantage, as a therapist who can communicate efficiently with his or her aide will provide more effective care.Recent changes in federal reimbursement incentives are motivating health care organizations to transition to electronic documentation. Additionally, scheduling and billing systems are moving to computer-based programs. Computer fluency is a desirable ability in an applicant being considered for a physical therapy aide position in departments where the aide is responsible for administrative activities.
Experience proves to be tremendously valuable when pursuing a job opening. A PT aide with some experience facilitating the operation of an efficiently run department and providing quality support to therapists and patients will be considered an asset to any physical therapy clinic or intra-hospital rehabilitation department.
What kinds of advanced career opportunities can this profession lead to?
It is not uncommon for an individual interested in learning how to become a physical therapy aide to prepare for grander career goals with the idea of using this profession as a stepping-stone to more advanced careers in rehabilitative therapy. Many occupational and physical therapy degree programs require candidates to have a number of contact hours even before applying. People often find that a job as a PT aide is an excellent way to get exposure to the field and earn an income while working on a more advanced degree. People interested in physical therapy or occupational therapy assistant programs may find the same benefit. Additionally, students enrolled in PT or OT assistant programs find that the real world exposure to patients and their complex needs gives a greater depth of meaning to their studies and improves learning. Having regular contact with experienced therapists also enhances the instructional experience.A physical therapy aide who works in a hospital environment may also find that they are drawn to nursing. So much interaction exists between departments in medical environments that it is almost impossible to not be exposed to the complexities of other fields. Physical therapy aides may decide that a position in a rehabilitation department is a good way to earn a living while pursuing a nursing degree, as the exposure to patients and their needs is an excellent way to reinforce instruction received in the classroom.
