What Do Physical Therapist Assistants Do?
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT) to provide services that relieve pain and improve mobility for patients who are recovering from physical injuries, diseases, or disabilities.
PTAs may assist PTs by performing routine treatments such as helping patients with stretching exercises or using exercise equipment, applying hot or cold packs, administering traction and massage, and training in gait and balance skills. They may also teach patients to use braces and crutches. PTAs may monitor and record treatment responses and report concerns to the supervising physical therapist. They might also have clerical duties, such as ordering supplies or processing insurance forms.
For more information, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm.
Where Do Physical Therapist Assistants Work?
The majority of PTA jobs are in physical therapy practices and offices and in hospitals. PTAs may also be found in nursing homes, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers.
What Do Physical Therapist Assistants Earn?
In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for physical therapist assistants in the United States was $64,510. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, physical therapist assistants in New York earned a median annual salary of $60,130 (physical therapist assistants in the 25th percentile made approximately $50,443 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $72,913).
Supply and Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for physical therapist assistants and aides in the U.S. will increase by 24% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for physical therapist assistants in the state will increase by 44% between 2020 and 2030.
The increasing older adult population in the U.S. will drive growth in the demand for physical therapy services because this age group is staying active in sports and exercise later in life than previous generations did. In addition to various sports- and exercise-related injuries, the active baby boom generation is just entering the prime age for arthritis, heart attacks, and strokes, increasing the demand for physical therapy services and rehabilitation care. Medical and technological developments also permit a greater percentage of trauma and accident victims and newborns with birth defects to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. Sports-related injuries for people of all ages are also more frequently referred to and improved by physical therapy. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of PTAs vital.
In addition, PTs are expected to increasingly use PTAs to reduce the cost of services. Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is designed by the PT, the PTA can often provide many parts of the treatment, as directed by the PT.
For more information on projections of PTAs by New York State labor regions, (2018-2028), click here.
Education Program Requirements
PTAs must complete a two-year physical therapist assistant program that is registered with New York State or accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). These programs will have coursework in algebra, biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and psychology. A supervised clinical work experience is considered essential, and will include CPR and other first aid certifications as well as hands-on and field experience in treatment centers.
New York Licensure Requirements
Most states require PTAs to be licensed. In order to be certified as a PTA in New York, an applicant must successfully complete a PTA education program that is registered with the New York State Education Department or accredited by the APTA. PTAs must also pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and meet all criteria for licensure in New York, including clinical experience.
For more information on state licensing requirements, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pt/ptlic.htm.
Financial Support
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers scholarships and scholarship information for PTA students. For more information, go to: http://www.apta.org/CurrentStudents/ScholarshipsAwards/
Education Programs in New York
| Bryant & Stratton College 953 James Street Syracuse, NY 13203 (315) 472-6603 |
Bryant & Stratton College 180 Redtail Rd Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 677-9500 |
| Broome Community College 907 Upper Front St Binghamton, NY 13905 (607) 778-5000 |
Genesee Community College One College Road Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-0055 |
| Herkimer County Community College 100 Reservoir Road Herkimer, NY 13350 (315) 866-0300 |
Kingsborough Community College 2001 Oriental Boulevard Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398 (718) 368-5000 |
| LaGuardia Community College 31-10 Thomson Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 482-7200 |
Nassau Community College One Education Drive Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 572-7501 |
| Niagara County Community College 3111 Saunders Settlement Road Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 614-6222 |
Onondaga Community College 4585 West Seneca Turnpike Syracuse, NY 13215 (315) 498-2000 |
| Orange County Community College 115 South Street Middletown, NY 10940 (845) 344-6222 |
SUNY Canton 34 Cornell Drive Canton, NY 13617 (315) 386-7011 |
| Suffolk County Community College Ammerman Campus 533 College Road Selden, NY 11784-2899 (631) 451-4110 |
Villa Maria College of Buffalo 240 Pine Ridge Road Buffalo, NY 14225 (716) 961-1805 |
Additional Web Links
For more information about PTAs, go to the American Physical Therapy Association Web site: http://www.apta.org/.
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To learn more about physical therapist assistants, check out this video.