i want to take a physical therapy AIDE course online. but whats the difference of ASSISTANT and AIDE ?

Published November 5, 2013

Question by luv.is.pain: i want to take a physical therapy AIDE course online. but whats the difference of ASSISTANT and AIDE ?
this online training program is an accredited Physical Therapy AIDE Training program. But what i want to know ..is …whats the difference between Assistant and AIDE. So when i get this “Certificate” from them showing i completed the whole course online… is that all i need to do ..to start a job? or do i need a License to practice as a Physical Therapy AIDE? or even Assistant?

Best answer:

Answer by mistify
An aide and an assistant are very different professions. As an aide, you function strictly as a “helper” with very little one on one patient contact and you are usually within visual site of the therapist or assistant. You make no decisions regarding treatment or progression…you job is very regimented and directed by the PT or PTA. Your job description will vary and will most likely include a combination of assistance with patient care, but will also likely include a variety of clerical and maintenence tasks.

An assistant, or PTA, however is a licensed professional (in most states) that is primarily involved in direct patient care under the remote supervision of the therapist. They do not need direct supervision and, depending on which state you live, can alter some aspects of care such as the addition of new exercises or progression of exercises (as long as it is consistent with the plan of care determined by the PT).

…the aide is a technical position that generally pays a little more than minimum wage and does not require any formal training. It’s a good job if you want to become an assistant or therapist later on. It’s generally not considered a life long career.

…the assistant is a professional who can make a decent living and persue this as a life long career. In most states, you must have a license and pass a board examination.

…generally speaking, I think “aide training programs” are a waste of time and money and prey upon people who want to get into the rehab field but don’t realize the limited job availability of aides, salary, and that you don’t need any training to be an aide.