Become A Certified Physical Therapy Aide
Physical therapy (PT) aides support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in tasks related to running a clinic. Physical therapy aides are important physical therapy team members—and there’s a growing need for these trained professionals. Additionally, physical therapy aide and assistant jobs are projected to grow 19% by 2032, with roughly 27,500 new openings per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The training you will receive during your online physical therapy aide program will help you master the skills you need to work as an in-demand physical therapy aide. This includes understanding a certified physical therapy aide’s role, responsibilities, and qualifications in various healthcare settings. Increase your knowledge by learning to define medical terminology and word elements related to physical therapy and summarize human anatomy, functional body movements, and system disorders as they relate to physical therapy.
By completing your physical therapy aide certification course online, you can become proficient in performing non-medical tasks in the physical therapy office, including setting up appointment rooms, preparing treatment tools, and observing and documenting patient visits.
During your physical therapy aide course, you will also prepare for the Physical Therapy Technician/Aide Certification (PTTC) exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) and walk through everything you need to know to land a physical therapy aide job post-course completion.
Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Start anytime!
Course Details
- What you will learn
- Explain the role, responsibilities, and qualifications of the certified physical therapy aide in various healthcare settings
- Define medical terminology and word elements related to the practice of physical therapy
- Summarize human anatomy, functional body movements, and system disorders as they relate to physical therapy
- Identify proper positioning, patient transfers, common exercises, modalities, and medical equipment.
- Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior specific to healthcare settings
- Differentiate between tasks appropriate for a certified physical therapy aide and other healthcare professionals
- How you will benefit
- Stand out to employers by holding the AMCA PTTC credential, further validating your skill set
- Develop transferable skills that increase employment opportunities in healthcare settings, including physical therapist offices, hospitals, and nursing home facilities
- Launch an exciting and rewarding entry-level healthcare career
- The Physical Therapy Profession
- Medical Terminology
- Organization of the Human body
- Pathology and Its Relationship to Homeostasis
- Infection Control and Safety Procedures
- Body Mechanics
- Pressure Injuries
- Positioning and Draping Patients
- Transferring Patients
- Wheelchair Basics
- Joint Movements and Gait
- Assistive Devices
- Ambulation-Related Activities
- The Skeletal System
- The Muscular System
- Treatment of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Exercise
- Treatment of the Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Physical Agents
- The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
- The Nervous System
- Treatment of the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Nervous Systems
- The Remaining Organ Systems
- Communication in the PT Facility
- Records and Charting
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Patent Administration and the Environment within the PT Facility
- Your PT Aide Career: Certification and Job Search
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course. You do not need any prior experience or training in this field.
Certification Requirements:
To sit for the AMCA Certification Exam, candidates must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
- Webcam and microphone for certification exam testing.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 12 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following digital textbook is accessed via links in the course lessons:
- Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 9th edition (eBook)
The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
- Pierson and Fairchild’s Principles & Techniques of Patient Care
Dr. Tara Caberwal
Dr. Tara Caberwal is an accomplished assistant professor at Campbell University, where she is dedicated to advancing the field of physical therapy. She is a graduate of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and holds multiple specialized certifications, including Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (COMT) and Manual Therapy Certification (MTC) and is recognized as a board-certified clinical specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS).
Her commitment to professional development is evident through her extensive postgraduate training, including a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT) from Andrews University’s post-professional program. Additionally, Dr. Caberwal has earned her fellowship with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT), further establishing her expertise in the field.
In her clinical practice, Dr. Caberwal primarily focuses on the rehabilitation and wellness of active-duty military personnel at Fort Bragg, NC. Her unique blend of academic prowess and hands-on experience allows her to provide exceptional care and contribute significantly to the health and recovery of those she serves.
$2,395 (USD) per person.
This course is 100% online.
| Course Hours | Duration | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 202 hours | 9 Months | Start any time! |
How the course is taught
- Self-paced, online course
- 9 Months to complete
- Open enrollment, begin anytime
- 202 course hours
Job Outlook
Physical therapy professionals, especially physical therapy aides, are in high demand. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists physical therapy assistants and aides among its fastest-growing career areas.
The BLS projects 27% growth in overall employment for physical therapy support positions between now and 2028. This is over five times faster than overall expected job growth.
The BLS attributes the growth in demand for physical therapy to the aging Baby Boomer demographic. According to the BLS, Boomers are staying active later in life than previous generations commonly did.
As a result, experts anticipate a surge in health concerns as the Boomers reach the age at which heart attacks, strokes and mobility-related injuries become common.
Physical therapist aides earn around $27,000 per year, on average, according to BLS data. Pay rates for physical therapist aides can vary by location and the type of patients they serve.
Those who work in nursing or skilled care facilities earn around $35,000 per year. Therapy aide jobs in the offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists pay around $25,600 per year.
FAQs
WHAT DOES A PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDE DO?
Physical therapy aides are responsible to support the overall therapy environment. They usually manage the cleanliness and safety of the clinic or work environment and help prepare the equipment for each patient’s visit. And they often help patients as they arrive and move around in the treatment facility. Some common duties include:
- Cleaning the treatment areas
- Setting up therapy equipment
- Washing linens
- Helping patients move to or from a therapy area
- Handling clerical tasks, such as answering phones scheduling patients and checking patients into the clinic
IS A PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDE THE SAME AS A PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT?
Physical therapy assistants work directly with patients to facilitate treatment. They may assist patients with exercise, massage, balance and other forms of therapeutic interventions. Physical therapy assistants often supervise the work of physical therapy aides.
IS CERTIFICATION NECESSARY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDES?
The AMCA exam covers the following areas:
- Patient care
- Practice administration
- Law and ethics
- Patient preparation and positioning
- Anatomy and physiology
- Safety and infection control
- Therapeutic modalities
- Each of these areas is critical to patient care, effective treatment and limiting liability for the physical therapist or employer organization.
IS PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDE A GOOD CHOICE FOR A REMOTE CAREER?
Changes in health coverage after then Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2014 have shifted many physical therapy activities from the healthcare setting and into the patient’s home. As a result, physical therapy support activities now also take place in the home. The shift to home care has also opened opportunities for independent and even traveling physical therapy professionals.
“I loved taking this course and found it very interesting. Along with us putting in our personal input, Ms. Holly also put in hers, which doesn’t happen often. Hopefully I will be able to find other classes that are online that you teach.”