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   My CA
Job Titles in Health Care -- Physical Therapy Aides and Assistants
Wages           Job Openings           Job Requirements           Training           Career Paths

Physical Therapy Aides and Assistants
Picture of a Physical Therapy Aide or Assistant at work.

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 Job Description:   Physical Therapy Aides and Assistants work under the direction of physical therapists to assist and administer treatment to patients. Assistants use a variety of treatments, massages, and exercises to help restore physical functions to muscles, bones, nerves, and joints. They also observe the patients' progress and instruct and motivate them during treatment. Aides prepare patients for treatment, assist them in using therapy equipment, give routine treatments, and support them during treatment.

Wages - Statewide:  

To give you an idea of how much you might earn, we have given you the average hourly wages and average yearly wages for this career throughout California. Wages can vary greatly in different parts of the State.

    Aides Assistants
    Hourly Average Wages: $0.00 $
    Yearly Average Wages: $27,113 $54,975

      Source: California Occupational Employment and Wage Data, 2008

Job Openings:  

An average of 310 Physicial Therapy Aide job openings will be available statewide per year. The number of openings includes both new jobs and replacement openings as workers leave the occupation.

An average of 220 Physicial Therapy Assistant job openings will be available statewide per year. The number of openings includes both new jobs and replacement openings as workers leave the occupation.

Source: California Occupational Employment Projections 2004 - 2014

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Basic Job Requirements:

  1. High school graduate or equivalent required
  2. Good written and oral communication skills
  3. Licensed by the state following graduation from an accredited school
  4. Aides may become assistants through work experience and completion of required college course work

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Where to get training locally:   Community colleges and vocational training schools.

To find training programs in your area you can check the LaborMarketInfo Web site at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/traProvidersSelection.asp?menuChoice=traProviders. Or, you can go to a One-Stop Career Center for assistance. (See "One-Stop Career Centers" in the "How to Find a Job" section.)
Possible Job Paths:
 Physical Therapy aides or Assistants can move up to Department Supervisor or Physical Therapist.

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