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| Physical and Corrective Therapy Assistants and Aides |
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| Employment Increase: |
93% |
| People In Field: |
118,000 |
| Average Salary: |
$16,380 |
| Qualifications: |
Associate Degree |
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Nature of the Work:
Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision
of qualified physical therapists to treat disabled persons so
that they may lead useful and productive lives. Treatment helps
to restore physical functions and prevent permanent
disability from injury or illness. Their patients include accident
victims, handicapped children, and stroke victims. Physical therapy
is also used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, cerebral
palsy, nerve injuries, amputations, fractures, and arthritis.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Training requirements for physical therapist assistants
are not uniform throughout the country. Physical therapist
assistants are licensed in many states, where they must be
graduates of an accredited two-year associate degree program
and may have to pass a written licensure examination.
Job Outlook:
Job prospects should be excellent for graduates of
accredited training programs. The number of physical therapist
assistants is expected to increase much faster than the
average for all occupations, as the demand for rehabilitation
services continues to grow. There will be approximately
118,000 physical and corrective therapy assistants and aides by
2005. Many new jobs for physical therapist assistants will be
created as programs to aid disabled persons expand, and as
long-term care facilities attempt to provide residents with more
adequate therapy and rehabilitation services.
Sources of Additional Information:
American Physical Therapy Association
1156 15th St. NW
Washington, DC 20005.
American Alliance for Health and Physical Education
1900 Association Dr.
Reston, VA 22091
American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
The American Occupational Therapy Association
4720 Montgomery Lane
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
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