Physical Therapist Assistants
SOC 31-2021
Physical Therapist Assistants help Physical Therapists provide physical therapy treatments and procedures. They may (in accordance with state laws) help develop treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments relative to a patient's status and within the scope of the treatment plans established by a Physical Therapist.
Wages and Benefits
| Hourly Wages | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| New Hires, No Experience | $8.25 - $20.00 | $13.20 |
| New Hires, with Experience | $9.50 - $23.00 | $15.17 |
| After Three Years with the Firm | $10.50 - $25.00 | $17.83 |
Average Weekly Hours:
Most (63%) Physical Therapist Assistants work full time, 39 hours per week. Some (37%) work part-time, 25 hours per week.
Shifts:
Almost all Physical Therapist Assistants work a regular day shift; a few work evenings and weekends to help coincide with patients' personal schedules.
Percent of Employers Offering Fringe Benefits:
| Full-Time Employees | ||
| Benefit Offered | % of Employers | |
| Medical Insurance: | Yes* | 67% |
| Dental Insurance: | Yes | 50% |
| Vision Insurance: | Yes | 25% |
| Life Insurance: | Yes | 17% |
| Disability: | Yes | 0% |
| Paid Sick Leave: | Yes | 42% |
| Paid Vacation: | Yes | 50% |
| Retirement Plan: | Yes | 25% |
| Child Care: | No | 0% |
*50% of employers cover 100% of medical insurance premiums;
33% of employers cover 50-99% of medical insurance premiums; and
17% of employers cover 1-49% of medical insurance premiums.
Other Employer Specified:
Bonuses.
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Many (58%) firms require an associate's degree; some (33%) accept a high school diploma.
Training:
Many (58%) firms allow 1 year of training to substitute for experience. Some (33%) require 6 months of technical or vocational training. Employers prefer applicants with database and word processing skills. Most (92%) require a state license from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Physical Therapy Board of California.
Experience:
Many (58%) firms prefer applicants with 2 years experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Most (75%) accept 1-2 years prior experience in a related occupation, such as Medical Assistant, Massage Therapist, or Athletic Trainer.
Skills rated "Very Important":
Ability to maintain progress notes and treatment summaries
Possession of good oral communication skills
Ability to read and follow instructions
Ability to work as a member of a team
Possession of good public contact skills
Ability to work independently
Knowledge of orthopedics
Ability to detect complications in patients
Knowledge of anatomy and neurology
Ability to work under pressure
Possession of problem solving skills
Ability to write legibly
Knowledge of insurance billing
Ability to apply patient transferring techniques
Knowledge of sports medicine
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
Supply and Demand:
Job market for Physical Therapist Assistants:
Employers report it "Moderately Difficult" finding qualified, Experienced and Inexperienced applicants, resulting in some competition for job seekers in their job search.
Recruitment Methods, Most Frequently Used:
Word of Mouth, Newspapers, Employee Referrals.
Turnover:
High: 35% in the last 12 months.
Size of 2006 Local Employment:
Small - less than 2,027.
Gender Representation:
Local employer response indicates 80% female, 20% male.
Older Worker Retirement:
Few (17%) firms report that older worker retirements over the next 10 years will affect their workforce.
To address the effects of older worker retirements, employers of this occupation would: Do nothing, 83%; groom a replacement ahead of time, 8%: replace with any qualified applicant, 8%.
Most (60%) firms report that older workers would face employment obstacles in this occupation: physical demand and keeping current on techniques and methods.
Where the Jobs Are:
Community Care Facilities for the Elderly
Chiropractic Offices
Home Health Care Services
Hospitals
Physician Offices
Residential Mental Health Facilities
Sports Medicine Clinics
Employers' Employment Outlook:
12 employers responded, providing data representing 24 employees for this occupation.
6 employers project employment to grow and 6 expect it to remain stable over the next twelve months.
Annual Job Growth Projections for San Diego County:
| Average annual new jobs: | 28 |
| Average annual replacement jobs: | 13 |
| Average annual total openings: | 41 |
New Job Growth Rate 2002 to 2012:
36.8% projected growth is much faster than the countywide average of 19.5%.
OTHER INFORMATION
Career Ladder/Promotional Opportunities:
Promote from: Front Desk Clerk and Physical Therapist I and II.
Promote to: Physical Therapist.
Ex-Offender Employment:
Some (33%) responding employers would consider hiring an ex-offender. Of those: 100% would disqualify an ex-offender for drug related offenses; and fraud/forgery, 100%.
Alternate Job Titles:
None reported.
Related Codes:
MOC - Not available.
Data Collection Date:
Fall 2005