Physical therapy aides play an important role in helping physical therapists to care for and support their patients. Working as a physical therapy aide can be a rewarding career in its own right or the first stepping stone into the world of physiotherapy. Obtaining the Physical Therapy Technician Certification is an important step towards starting this career. Keep reading to learn more about the PTTC and becoming a physical therapy aide.
What Does a Physical Therapy Aide Do?
A physical therapy aide helps physical therapists by making sure they have everything they need to deliver effective therapy for their clients. Working as a physical therapy aide means setting up the equipment for the physical therapist, making sure they have all the supplies they need, and handling other day-to-day tasks.
Physical therapy aide jobs are often available in hospitals, clinics, and dedicated PT practices. The job description might typically include:
- Preparing the treatment area for appointments
- Setting up, cleaning and maintaining equipment
- Greeting patients and helping them find the treatment rooms
- Handling phone calls and correspondence
- Keeping track of inventory and ordering supplies
- Updating patient records
Professional Certification for Physical Therapy Aides
The most common professional credential that healthcare employers look for when hiring for physical therapy aide positions is the Physical Therapy Technician Certification.
This certification is managed by the American Medical Certification Association, and can be taken online as a proctored examination or in person as a paper test. The exam takes two hours to complete, and has 100 questions covering a variety of areas including anatomy and physiology, patient care, administrative tasks, medical law and ethics, medical terminology, and more.
How Do You Become a Physical Therapy Aide?
One of the best and quickest ways to get ready for the PTTC exam and start a career as the physical therapy aide is to complete a formal physical therapy aide program like the one offered at Healthcare Career College.
At Healthcare Career College, we offer an in-depth training course to help prospective physical therapy aides learn the skills they need to support physiotherapists.
Our course covers a variety of topics, including:
- Front and back office clerical duties
- Deep tissue massage
- Sports massage
- Anatomy and physiology
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques
- Sanitation and safety
- Professional hygiene
- Ethics
This not only helps people who would like to become a physical therapy aide learn the core skills of the trade, but it also gives them value-added skills to make them more desirable to prospective employers.
If you’re considering a career change and physical therapy aide jobs appeal to you, take the first step towards a new career today. The physical therapy aide training course at Healthcare Career College takes just 11 months to complete, and opens the door to a new, interesting career path. Apply today or contact us for more information.
Key Takeaways
What does a physical therapy aide do?
Physical therapy aides support physical therapists by preparing treatment areas, setting up and maintaining equipment, assisting patients, updating records, and handling administrative tasks.
What is the PTTC credential?
The Physical Therapy Technician Certification (PTTC) is a professional certification that demonstrates knowledge in areas such as anatomy, patient care, medical terminology, ethics, and administrative procedures.
How do you become a physical therapy aide?
A common path is to complete a formal physical therapy aide training program, gain relevant skills and knowledge, and prepare for the PTTC certification exam to improve employment opportunities.