A Prosperous Job Outlook for Traveling Physical Therapists and Assistants
It’s looking good for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy aides: the demand for physical therapy is on the rise and career opportunities for physical therapy assistants and physical therapy aides are steadily increasing. PTAs who work alongside physical therapists and traveling physical therapists can expect many more job prospects in the next few years.
Both of these physical therapy jobs work under direct supervision of physical therapists, though both physical therapy assistants and aides have unique sets of responsibilities and differing training requirements. Despite the differences, the healthcare industry’s need for their services is equally great.For those considering a career in physical therapy, take a minute to read the following background information on both PT careers.
As a physical therapy assistant, your work setting would not be limited to hospitals and physician offices. Nursing homes are another location that physical therapists are often needed, mainly due to the aging population requiring physical therapy care. While assisting physical therapists, you may be required to aid patients with a variety of physical exercises, administer and apply hot and cold packs, perform massages, and report and monitor patient response, progress, recovery, and wellness.To assist physical therapists, many states require PTAs to be licensed in a combination of both academic and hands-on programs, in addition to having an associate degree. After completing initial training, physical therapy assistants can earn salaries that average around $45,000 a year.
There is a greater demand for physical therapy assistant jobs then aide jobs; although due to the increasing number of senior citizens needing rehab therapy employment rates are expected to increase for both PT assistants and aides in the years to come.Similarly to physical therapy assistants, physical therapy aides work in physical therapy offices , hospitals, nursing homes,and physician offices. In addition to a high school diploma, PTAs receive job training by their employers. They are responsible for preparing the treatment area prior to therapy sessions. However, aides do not have licenses and therefore are not allowed to perform tasks that licensed physical therapists do. Salaries are typically around $28,000 a year, but job prospects are not as good for aide jobs due to the higher levels of competition.
The great news is that opportunities for traveling physical therapy assistants and traveling physical therapy aides are also on the rise. Rehab therapy professionals in these roles can enjoy all the benefits of travel assignments to their dream destinations while gaining valuable skills and experience and possibly working towards the next step in their therapy career!
For those wishing to explore this fulfilling area of physical therapy, there has never been a better time to contact a travel agency recruiter. The demand for physical therapists, physical therapy aides, and physical therapy assistants is high and expected increase further as the aging population creates more and more new patients. Take advantage of this opportunity, physical therapists.
Oliver Feakins is an Account Manager for Allied Travel Careers, a travel therapy company offering travel therapy jobs for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language therapists. Visit http://www.alliedtravelcareers.com