Home health physical therapist assistant vs physical therapy aide

The differences between home health physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a home health physical therapist assistant has an average salary of $51,119, which is higher than the $31,160 average annual salary of a physical therapy aide.

The top three skills for a home health physical therapist assistant include home health, patient care and physical therapy. The most important skills for a physical therapy aide are patients, patient care, and rehabilitation.

Home health physical therapist assistant vs physical therapy aide overview

	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant	Physical Therapy Aide
Yearly salary	$51,119	$31,160
Hourly rate	$24.58	$14.98
Growth rate	24%	24%
Number of jobs	136,922	99,485
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a home health physical therapist assistant do?

Home health physical therapist assistants are skilled professionals who are responsible for assisting the physical therapist in performing physical therapy in homecare settings. These assistants are required to follow the treatment plan that is set by the physical therapist while providing aid to patients in active and passive exercises. They must observe and record the response of patients to the treatment as well as changes in their condition. Home health physical therapist assistants must also participate in staff conferences and committees when necessary.

What does a physical therapy aide do?

Physical therapy aides are employed under physical therapists' direction. They typically perform non-medical tasks, including helping with patient intake, setting up treatment rooms, and assisting with patient transportation to another health care facility. They are also responsible for documenting the responses and progress of patients and communicating with hospital personnel and physicians' offices. There are several skills and competencies to become a successful physical therapy aide, which include active listening skills, attention to detail, and compassion for patients.

Home health physical therapist assistant vs physical therapy aide salary

Home health physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant	Physical Therapy Aide
Average salary	$51,119	$31,160
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $73,000	Between $8,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Aya Healthcare
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between home health physical therapist assistant and physical therapy aide education

There are a few differences between a home health physical therapist assistant and a physical therapy aide in terms of educational background:

	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant	Physical Therapy Aide
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Kinesiology
Most common college	New York University	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Home health physical therapist assistant vs physical therapy aide demographics

Here are the differences between home health physical therapist assistants' and physical therapy aides' demographics:

	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant	Physical Therapy Aide
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%	Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 7.3% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between home health physical therapist assistant and physical therapy aide duties and responsibilities

Home health physical therapist assistant example responsibilities.

Manage a diverse caseload including, but not limit to CVA's, cardiac care, Alzheimer's and sub acute orthopedics
Help oversee patient exercises and therapeutic mechanical traction.
Develop a positive relationship with client through constant companionship and therapeutic walking.
Revoke basic physical activity in many depress clients by providing high quality companionship and exercise assistance.
Practice specialized post-orthopedic surgery recovery and rehabilitation.
Provide care to Alzheimer patient, ensuring the proper administration of prescriptions and physician care instructions.

Physical therapy aide example responsibilities.

Manage flexible schedule at various company facilities categorize as ILF, ALF, and SNF.
Administer ultrasound and electrical stimulation and start patients with their prescribe exercise programs.
Educate patients on supportive devices, such as braces, splints, and slings.
Earn repeated appreciations from supervisor, co-workers, and patients for providing the best quality care with compassion.
Work closely with PT's/PTA's; OT/COTA's and SLP in providing quality hands on care to rehab patients.
Create and maintain patient charts and paperwork including exercise, insurance authorization, insurance, HIPAA, and patient information.

Home health physical therapist assistant vs physical therapy aide skills

Common home health physical therapist assistant skills

Home Health, 82%
Patient Care, 11%
Physical Therapy, 6%
Physical Therapy Treatment, 1%
Community Resources, 1%
Health Aides, 0%

Common physical therapy aide skills

Patients, 42%
Patient Care, 10%
Rehabilitation, 8%
Customer Service, 5%
Ultrasound, 5%
Direct Supervision, 4%

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Healthcare Support Industry
Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant vs Physical Therapy Aide

Updated January 8, 2025

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