Physical and Occupational Therapist Aide Jobs

Physical and occupational therapist aide jobs are offered in a large number of healthcare facilities in the United States. These professionals assist the therapists in restoring the health of their patients. Jobs in this sector carry good salary and accompanying benefits, besides being immensely satisfying for committed professionals.

Physical Therapist Aide—Job Nature and Qualifications

Physical therapist aides work under the direct supervision of physical therapists and assist the physical therapists in all clerical and therapeutical activities. This includes assisting the mobility challenged patients get to and back from the treatment areas, preparing them for therapy, answering the phone, keeping the treatment area clean and organized, and completing paper works.

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for a physical therapist aide. Organizational, listening and interpersonal skills are the basic skills required. Physical therapist aides should be strong enough to support the patients with physical disabilities. Unlike physical therapists, a license is not required for physical therapist aides.

Qualifications and Skills Required for Occupational Therapist Aides

Qualified occupational therapist aides can work in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals and therapy centers. A high school diploma or associate degree is needed to secure a job in this field. Prior experience in the field would be beneficial to earn a bit more.

The main job of an occupational therapist aide is to assist the occupational therapist and encourage the patients attain the treatment goals. To assess the progress in the treatment procedures, the aides are supposed to take down daily reports. They should teach the patients how to perform therapeutic as well as daily activities effectively. Occupational therapist aides work with physically, mentally and emotionally impaired patients, and help occupational therapists in their efforts to restore the patients’ health and independence.

Staffing Companies for Better Job Positions

At times, it becomes difficult for the candidates to find good jobs in prestigious medical facilities. In such situations, approaching reliable healthcare staffing companies would be beneficial. They can help you find suitable physical and occupational therapist aide jobs, as they maintain good contact with reputable healthcare firms.

Physical Therapist Assistant Careers

Physical therapist assistant careers are among the most sought after medical/healthcare careers since they promise a rewarding future. A physical therapist assistant, under the instruction of a physical therapist, functions in various healthcare industries. Exercises, electrical stimulations, paraffin baths, ultra sound and traction are some of the physical therapy modalities that the therapist assistant has to assist in.

Develop Your Career in a Demanding Environment

If you are service-minded and wish to help physically disabled people, this career is the right option for you. As a physical therapist assistant, you can serve in hospitals, healthcare centers, nursing homes, pediatric centers and home health agencies. Physical therapist assistants are also required in sports teams, universities and various organizations. They can even advance their positions into administrative posts.

Requirements of a Physical Therapist Assistant

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for this career. Training in any accredited physical therapist program and a valid license is required to get placed in recognized firms. Fundamental skills in active listening, and a good awareness about the physical therapy job are necessary qualifications. Since a physical therapist assistant is expected to assist the physical therapist, he/she should be able to handle all paperwork, prepare notes on the patient’s ailment history, and handle all related jobs.

Find a Suitable Job from a Reliable Recruiter

Recruitment agencies aid the candidates in finding ideal job positions in excellent medical facilities. These agencies recruit candidates to appropriate healthcare facilities depending on their skills and aptitude. International candidates are assisted in clearing all paperwork, licensing and other visa formalities. All you have to do is to fill in the online application form; thereafter you will be kept informed regarding the new job opportunities via email.

Job Possibility and Remuneration

A number of vacancies exist in various medical facilities, these days. Based on the educational qualification, practice set-up and years of experience, physical therapist assistants will get suitable placements. Remuneration is usually on the basis of all these factors. In the coming days, physical therapist assistant careers are expected to grow faster than before due to increasing demand.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) Help Patients Heal Quickly

Physical therapist assistant jobs are service-oriented and demand great patience and special skills on the part of the candidate planning to work as a physical therapist assistant. To help the patients heal quickly and regain normal functionality, physical therapist assistants (PTA) assist physical therapists to carry out rehabilitation jobs effectively. PTAs are in great demand in hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers.

Rehabilitation Programs to Optimize Physical Abilities

The main job of a physical therapist assistant is to help the patients during rehabilitation programs. They aid the patients to regain mobility and reduce the physical disabilities. To treat such physical conditions, they are specially trained to carry out various treatment programs that include therapeutic exercises, electrical stimulations, massages, paraffin baths, ultra sound, traction and much more. The goal of all these rehabilitation programs is to help the patients return to an independent life within minimum time.

A Variety of Chores to Help the Physical Therapist

Physical therapist assistants perform a number of tasks. They keep the environment for treatment clean, assist the patients to move from one place to another, place orders for new medical supplies, carry out application form filling and many other clerical tasks. They are also required to note down the patient history and keep a record of it to evaluate the productivity of their treatment programs. This gives the physical therapist more time to concentrate on the patients and help them heal quickly.

Effective Treatment Method to Facilitate Healing of the Elderly

Because of the rising number of the physically disabled, physical therapy has become a popular and highly regarded treatment method, these days. Physical therapy is most required by the elderly population, since they are vulnerable to chronic physical conditions that need special rehabilitation services. Numerous job opportunities are open in a wide range of healthcare facilities for the physical therapist assistants who are certified and trained from reputable institutes.

Physical Therapy Travel Jobs

In the United States, the scope of physical therapy jobs is expanding and therefore, there is a constant increase in the number of qualified candidates as well. Physical therapy travel jobs are the best option for jobseekers who want to use their career as a means to explore a variety of locations throughout the country, while earning a decent pay.

Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants who are interested in such assignments can get the best job placements in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, home health agencies; government agencies, acute care hospitals, rehab hospitals, outpatient clinics, long term acute care hospitals, nursing facilities, and more. There are possibilities to work on short term, long term, temporary or contract basis.

Normally, the travel job assignments for physical therapy are available for 4 – 52 weeks. But, the duration of the stay might vary based on the employer and the assignment needs. As a traveling physical therapist or assistant, you will receive competitive pay and full benefits packages such as:

• Paid housing


• Completion bonuses


• Travel expenses


• Healthcare insurance


• Section 125 cafeteria plan


• Professional liability insurance


• Short-term disability insurance


• Additional state license


• Continuing education programs


• Immigration processing (for internationally trained employees)


• H1B visas and green cards

In order to secure a job in this field, the candidates need to have a graduate or master’s degree in physical therapy program and a state-issued license, whereas the therapist assistants are required to have on-the-job training or an associate’s degree.

Qualified candidates who are trained both locally and internationally can find the right physical therapy travel jobs with the help of a staffing solution provider or by searching online. The recruitment agencies will provide all the necessary support and assistance to turn your dream career into reality.

As a physical therapist, your responsibility is to provide care for the elderly and the disabled. In that way, you are making a valuable contribution to society.