The main objective of the physical assistant is to help perform physical therapy that aides the physical therapist in improving mobility, relieving pain, and preventing or limiting permanent physical disabilities of patients.  Each of these related tasks are selected by a supervising physical therapist and the assistant is given detailed instructions as to what should be used and how to perform the therapy.  The patients are usually suffering from various types of injuries or diseases.  Some are accident victims while others have disabling conditions.  It is common to see injuries and ailments such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
The job of a physical therapy assistant is exciting and rewarding.  Some of the tasks that physical therapy assistants perform are exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound.  The procedures are always performed under the direct supervision of physical therapists.  Another important part of a physical therapist assistant’s work is to record the patient’s responses to treatment and to report the outcome to the physical therapist following each treatment.
Physical Therapist Aide
Physical therapy aides have an important role to play.  By keeping the treatment area clean and well organized, therapist aides ensure therapy sessions are more productive.  In this way, physical therapists and patients can focus on the best strategy to help them get heal.  The aide is always under the direct supervision of either a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.
Physical therapy aides also help out in the transfer of patients to different treatment areas.  Usually the physical therapy aide will push the patient in a wheelchair or stabilize the patient by giving him or her a shoulder to lean on.  Since aides are not licensed, they are not permitted to perform clinical tasks that encompass the duties of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapy assistant.
Physical therapy aides may also be expected to perform a number of clerical tasks.  Those tasks will probably vary but can include ordering supplies, answering phones, and filling out insurance forms.  It will depend on where the aides are employed as to what clerical tasks they will be expected to perform.  The prerequisites needed to be competent in correctly completing the job are basic.  Those who are very efficient with clerical duties will thrive in this area.
Physical therapist assistants and aides should expect to encounter long periods of kneeling, stooping, and standing.  Since this is part of the job, a reasonable amount of strength and endurance will be needed.  Moderate physical exertion is likely while helping patients with treatments and should be anticipated.

Physical therapist assistants generally are required to have formal training.  The minimum required level of education achieved is an associate degree.  The degree must be earned from an accredited physical therapist assistant program.  Some States require a physical therapy assistant to be licensed or registered.  Individual State licensing boards will stipulate what educational and examination criteria are to be expected in order for an assistant to practice.  The applicant can anticipate having to be CPR Certified, knowledgeable in first aide, and complete a minimum number of hours of clinical experience.
Physical therapist aides learn all of the skills necessary to practice through on-the- job training.  Employers generally provide this training to employees.  The aide will, however, have to have a high school diploma.  One of the most important qualifications an aide should display is strong interpersonal skills.  It is also beneficial if the applicant demonstrates the ability to work well with various types of people.  Working as a team is absolutely essential.  Perhaps the one thing that qualifies a physical therapist aide is the sincere desire to assist people in need.
Accredited physical therapist assistant programs last 2 years, or 4 semesters, and culminate in an associate degree. There are 238 accredited physical therapist assistant programs in the U.S. according to the American Physical Therapy Association. The program has two parts.  They are divided between academic study and hands-on clinical experience. Some of the courses that an interested student can expect to encounter are algebra, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology. Employers usually require completion of one semester of anatomy and physiology.  Clinical experience is important to educators and prospective employers.  It is viewed as an indication that students and applicants understand the responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant.
The utilization of physical therapy aides and assistants will increase in effort to reduce the cost of physical therapy services.  The patient will be evaluated by the licensed physical therapist and a treatment plan will be designed.  Then, the physical therapist assistant can be instructed by the physical therapist to provide many aspects of the treatment prescribed.  Since assistants work at a lower hourly rate than the licensed therapist, it is more cost effective to use the services of the assistant when it is practical to do so.
Aides and assistants with prior experience in health care setting, especially in a physical therapy office, will be eligible for the best job opportunities.  The field is competitive since there are a large number of qualified individuals with a high school diploma.

The average earnings for physical therapist assistants are about $37,890 per year.  This wage can range from between $31,060 to $44.050 per year.  A below average rate would be in the amount of $24,110 or less.  An above average wage could be $52,110 or more.  Depending on the area where jobs are available will dictate the amount of salary an assistant or aide receives. 
The average annual earning for physical therapy aides is about $21,380. The wage can vary and ranges from $17,990 to $26,310. A small percentage earn $15,380 or below.  About the same amount earn $33,550 or more. Hospitals and physical therapist offices offer on average about $20,360 annually.
The industries where the jobs for assistants and aides are plentiful are nursing care facilities, hospitals, physical therapy offices and other health care practitioners.  Aides work in a variety of setting but the highest numbers were employed in hospitals or physical therapists office.  The others worked primarily in nursing care facilities, offices of physicians, home health care services, and outpatient care centers.  This type of variety only increased the prospects for the physical therapy assistant or aide.  At least some of these facilities will be available in practically all areas.  Cities will have more opportunities for potential applicants.  However, even in small towns and rural areas job opportunities will be available to applicants who do not wish to practice in the city.
In the short-term available jobs may be adversely affected due to the impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services. In the long term demand will rise as the number of individuals that need therapy.  Like many other occupations the demand will fluctuate with the times.  Many factors should be considered when choosing an occupation.  It is helpful to do research for this type of employment choice.
The physical therapist assistant and aides can expect to encounter various schedules.  It will depend on the facility since may outpatient offices and clinics have evening and weekend hours.  Part time work is available for physical therapy assistants and aides. Both full time and part time assistants and aides will experience varying schedules and as the demand for offices to coincide with the patients schedules.