Outpatient physical therapist assistant vs home health physical therapist assistant

The differences between outpatient physical therapist assistants and home health physical therapist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an outpatient physical therapist assistant has an average salary of $54,009, which is higher than the $51,119 average annual salary of a home health physical therapist assistant.

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

Outpatient physical therapist assistant vs home health physical therapist assistant overview

	Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Yearly salary	$54,009	$51,119
Hourly rate	$25.97	$24.58
Growth rate	24%	24%
Number of jobs	62,717	136,922
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does an outpatient physical therapist assistant do?

A PTA (physical therapist assistant) helps a physical therapist carry out a treatment or rehabilitation program. Outpatient PTAs provide patients with physical therapy support services in a private space, clinic, or other facilities. Their responsibilities often involve setting up equipment to be used by patients, documenting patient progress, and cleaning the therapy area between appointments. PTA duties include assisting patients to do exercises, warm-ups, stretching, using equipment, and other movements prescribed by physical therapists during appointments.

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.

Outpatient physical therapist assistant vs home health physical therapist assistant salary

Outpatient physical therapist assistants and home health physical therapist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Average salary	$54,009	$51,119
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $71,000	Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between outpatient physical therapist assistant and home health physical therapist assistant education

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

	Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Physical Therapy
Most common college	Northwestern University	New York University

Outpatient physical therapist assistant vs home health physical therapist assistant demographics

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

	Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant	Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 26.7% Female, 73.3%	Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 9.3% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between outpatient physical therapist assistant and home health physical therapist assistant duties and responsibilities

Outpatient physical therapist assistant example responsibilities.

Manage a diverse caseload including, but not limit to CVA's, cardiac care, Alzheimer's and sub acute orthopedics
Work as PTA in outpatient clinic and home health.
Work as PTA as part of team to execute proper care of body mechanics and safety of patient.
Prepare garments and accessories for processing through ALM's for contamination detection.
Focus on spinal cord injuries, strokes, orthopedic, dementia, functional training in ADL's.
Perform maintenance on various types of wheelchair, walkers, and physical therapy equipment requiring repair and/or modification.

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.

Outpatient physical therapist assistant vs home health physical therapist assistant skills

Common outpatient physical therapist assistant skills

Patients, 38%
Rehabilitation, 17%
PTA, 11%
Home Health, 5%
Physical Therapy, 4%
Quality Patient Care, 3%

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%

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Healthcare Support Industry
Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant
Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant vs Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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