PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT
Are you well organized, detail oriented and caring? Do you have strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people in need? Perhaps a career as a physical therapist assistant is in your future?
Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists to provide treatment that improves patient mobility, relieves pain, and prevents or lessens physical disabilities of patients. Physical therapist assistants may provide part of a patient's treatment under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
First Steps:
Take high school courses in biology and health. Volunteer in nursing care facilities, occupational or physical therapists' office or other health care settings. Volunteering with the school athletic trainer is also a good way to gain experience.
Earnings:
Listed below are hourly/annual wages for both entry level and experienced physical therapist assistant and the annual median hourly/annual wage.**
| Entry Wage |
Median Wage |
Experienced Wage |
| Hourly |
Annual |
Hourly |
Annual |
Hourly |
Annual |
| $15.87 |
$32,992 |
$22.84 |
$47,494 |
$26.38 |
$54,855 |
**Wage Data 2009, State of Illinois Department of Employment Security
Work Environment:
Physical therapist assistants need a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with treatment. In some cases, assistants need to lift patients. Frequent kneeling, stooping and standing for long periods are also part of the job. Most full-time physical therapist assistants work about 40 hours per week, which may include weekends and evenings to meet patient needs.
Job Outlook:
Job prospects for physical therapy assistants are expected to be very good as consumer demand for physical therapy services is increasing.
Education:
- Black Hawk College, Moline (Associate Degree)
- College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn (Associate Degree)
- Elgin Community College, Elgin (Associate Degree)
- Illinois Central College, East Peoria (Associate Degree)
- Kaskaskia College, Centralia (Associate Degree)
- Lake Land College, Mattoon (Associate Degree)
- Morton College, Cicero (Associate Degree)
- Oakton Community College, Des Plaines (Associate Degree)
- Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (Associate Degree)
- Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville (Associate Degree)
Educational/Professional Requirements:
To apply for a license as a physical therapist assistant, applicants must file with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Division of Professional Regulation, a completed, signed application, on forms supplied by the Division that includes:
- Complete work history indicating all employment since graduation from a physical therapy assistant program.
Certification of graduation from a physical therapist assistant program and attainment of a minimum of an associate's degree.
The required fee of $100 for application for a license as an Physical Therapist Assistant. In addition, applicants for an examination are required to pay a fee covering the cost of determining an applicant's eligibility and providing the examination.
Professional Organization: