Physical Therapy Assistant Duties, Education And Expected Salary

There are some positions in the field of medicine which offer people opportunities other than basic nursing. A physical therapy assistant works with patients who have undergone certain procedures, in order to help them regain the function of their muscles. This type of work is often classified as rehabilitative and is frequently given to people who have undergone surgery for the removal of a limb. People who work in this field are often employed by hospitals, but can be employed by medical centers such as burn units or government operated facilities.

People who want to work as assistants in the field of physical therapy will need to possess an associate degree. The courses covered in this program will include those in the fields of biology, chemistry and anatomy. People who work in health care professions are also required to take some type of psychology course during their studies. This type of program will incorporate two parts to the learning experience. Students will be required to have a certain number of classroom hours as well as clinical experience. The hands on training provided in a clinical setting is extremely valuable when learning how to properly care for people with debilitating conditions.

Some of the tasks a physical therapy assistant performs includes applying compresses to sore or stiff muscles. The compresses can be designed to transfer heat to the affected area in order to stimulate the flow of blood. This person will also be trained in the proper use of all of the related equipment used for therapy purposes. As an assistant, the health care worker will oversee the patient's use of the equipment and provide help when needed. Physical therapy also includes providing physical exercise to increase range of motion, which can be given without the use of machines.

The amount of money a person can earn in this field, will depend on where there are employed and how long they are employed in their position. People who receive bachelor degrees can earn more money then those who earn their associate degree. A starting salary for this position ranges between twenty and forty thousand dollars a year. People who have been employed for eighteen or more years can expect to earn as much as seventy-five thousand dollars as their yearly salary. These amounts do not include the wages paid for overtime hours or the health care benefit packages included with employment.