What a Physical Therapy Aide Does & What They Earn - MedCerts

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A physical therapy aide provides vital support to physical therapists as they help their patients recover movement and manage their pain after an injury or illness. Aides support therapists by sanitizing equipment, cleaning treatment areas, and performing clerical work. They also connect with patients and help them move into and out of the treatment area.

As a physical therapy aide, you would play a crucial role in a successful physical therapy office.

Pursuing an In-Demand Career

Not only are physical therapy aides essential to the physical therapy community, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 29% in job openings over the next decade. This means that more than 10,000 physical therapy aide positions will open up during that time frame. The average physical therapy aide earns around $27,000 annually.

If you are looking to pursue a meaningful career in this field, MedCerts can help. Our new physical therapy aide program is designed to help students enter the field quickly and without accruing debt.

Physical Therapy Aide Training Program

MedCerts' Physical Therapy Aide and Administration Specialist program prepares students to take the Physical Therapy Technician/Aide Certification (PTTC) exam. The program utilizes engaging e-learning components throughout every course. It relies on immersive recorded lectures, video demos, interactive training and more to build the skills you need to become a confident physical therapy aide.

What To Expect as a Physical Therapy Aide

Once you graduate from the program and successfully complete the PTTC exam, you can expect to find job placement within a healthcare facility, such as:

  • A rehabilitation office. These facilities provide patients with intense rehabilitation during a brief time period.

  • A sub-acute rehabilitation office. A sub-acute rehabilitation office offers less intensive care than a rehabilitation office.

  • An extended care facility or nursing home. A nursing home may provide intensive care and rehabilitation on a long-term basis.

  • An outpatient clinic or private practice. Physical therapy is often offered on an outpatient basis to assist patients with musculoskeletal injuries or impairments.

  • Wellness or fitness facilities. Sports training facilities often offer physical therapy as a form of wellness care for athletes.

  • Industrial or occupational environments. Physical therapy is offered in some workplaces with the goal of elevating employee well-being.

When you join this field, your title may be:

  • Physical therapy aide

  • Rehabilitation aide

  • Physical therapy technician

  • Rehab technician

  • Clinical rehabilitation aide

  • Rehab aide

Regardless of title, as a physical therapy aide you will complete tasks such as cleaning, organizing and disinfecting equipment, offering general assistance to patients under the supervision of the physical therapist, recording and entering patient data, taking inventory, providing assistance to patients during fittings and more.

Physical Therapy Aide: The Perfect Role for You?

In this essential role, you will provide meaningful support to both the physical therapist and their patients. Great physical therapy aides share qualities such as interpersonal skills, compassion, physical stamina and strength. Ultimately, if you love helping others, can practice empathy and patience and possess the physical strength to help patients in their journey to recovery, training to become a physical therapy aide through MedCerts may be the perfect next step.


If you’re ready to start your journey toward a unique and impactful career, visit MedCerts for more information.

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Published on February 25, 2021