Did You Know? Physicians like Hippocrates and later Galenus are believed to have been the first practitioners of physical therapy, advocating massage, manual therapy techniques and hydrotherapy to treat people in 460 BC. The earliest documented origins of actual physical therapy as a professional group date back to Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics,” who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise. The Swedish word for physical therapist is sjukgymnast = someone involved in gymnastics for those who are ill. In 1887, PTs were given official registration by Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare. (Source: Wikipedia) During World War I, physiotherapy began to receive public recognition as a valuable treatment through the rehabilitation of injured soldiers. World War II and the polio epidemics that savaged Australia in the 1950s provided further opportunities for physiotherapists to make a significant contribution to the health of Australians. (Source: APA: History)

 

 

Therapy aides assist professional staff by visiting clients, preparing written and verbal reports, and helping clients and carers with personal care tasks. Therapy aides are not qualified to diagnose conditions or prescribe treatment. Therapy Aides assist therapists in providing therapy programs and in the direct care of their patients in a variety of health, welfare and community settings.

They work under the direction of professional staff such as doctors, social workers, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, diversional therapists, home economists and nurses.

 

ANZSCO ID: 423314
  
Alternative names: Allied Health Assistant, Community Services Aide, Therapy Assistant
    
Specialisations

• Community Health Nursing Aide - provides care for the sick, aged or disabled at home, including personal care such as showering, bathing and dressing, and ensures clients maintain a healthy diet.

• Occupational Therapy Aide - assists clients at home or in clinical settings under the direction of an occupational therapist. They may construct, adjust and fit aids and equipment, including splints. They may also assist clients with self-care, daily living skills and diversional or other rehabilitation activities with the aim of improving the safety and independence of the client.

• Physiotherapy Aide - assists clients with exercise or rehabilitation programmes; delivers, adjusts and demonstrates self-care and rehabilitation equipment; and assists with moving patients within their homes or to hospitals or places of treatment.

• Speech Pathology Aide - assists with providing therapy to clients once a speech pathologist has assessed the client and devised a suitable programme, including instructing clients in the use of electronic and non-electronic alternative communication systems and preparing equipment to use with clients.
  

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• emotional maturity

• able to relate well to frail, sick or people with disability of all ages

• caring, understanding, patient and calm

 

(Source: Icaria Health)

Duties and Tasks

Therapy aides may perform the following tasks:

• provide general care, comfort and ongoing therapy to patients as directed

• assist patients with recreational and leisure activities

• instruct and assist people with a disability with self-care and daily living activities

• assist patients with performing routine physiotherapy or hydrotherapy exercises on an individual or group basis

• report on action taken, client progress and any unusual circumstances

Working conditions

In a full-time job you would work standard hours, which may include early mornings, evenings and weekends to suit patients. Part-time work is often available. You could work in a hospital, community health centre, medical clinic, sports clinic, or in private practice. The role may be physically demanding.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a therapy aide without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications.

You may like to consider a VOC qualification in allied health assistance, health services assistance, home and community care, disability, aged care or leisure and health. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a therapy aide through a traineeship in Health Services Assistance, Allied Health Assistance, Home and Community Care, Disability, Aged Care or Leisure and Health.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

 

Additional Information
  
A First Aid Certificate is usually required. Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Health or Community Services Training Packages that will expand your career opportunities within these industries.

Employment Opportunities

Therapy aides work in hospitals and hospices, physiotherapy and occupational therapy practices and private homes. They also work in community health centres, aged-care facilities, respite care, clinics and private practices.

Employment prospects are expected to grow due to the ageing of the population.

 

 

 

Physiotherapy assistants help qualified physiotherapists treat patients who are having problems with movement due to injury or illness. They assists clients with exercise or rehabilitation programmes; delivers, adjusts and demonstrates self-care and rehabilitation equipment; and assists with moving patients within their homes or to hospitals or places of treatment.

 

ANZSCO ID: 423314
  

Alternative names: Physiotherapy Aide,
  

Knowledge, skills and attributes      

To become a physiotherapy assistant, you would need:

• an interest in science, especially anatomy

• a genuine concern for the health and wellbeing of patients

• excellent communication skills

• good problem solving skills

• good interpersonal skills

• patience and persistence

(Source: SOCHI)

 

Duties and Tasks

As a physiotherapy assistant, you would:

• talk with patients and get them ready for therapy

• demonstrate mobility aids

• demonstrate therapy exercises to patients and helping them do the exercises correctly

• set up, clear away and maintain equipment

• keep accurate records of patients' treatment and progress

• writing up reports for physiotherapists.

Working conditions

In a full-time job you would work standard hours, which may include early mornings, evenings and weekends to suit patients. Part-time work is often available. You could work in a hospital, community health centre, medical clinic, sports clinic, or in private practice. The role may be physically demanding.

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a physiotherapy assistant you usually have to complete a VET qualification in Allied Health Assistance, specialising in physiotherapy. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
    

Employment Opportunities

Employment of physiotherapy assistants is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.

The high demand for physical therapy services is predicted to continue to increase due to the needs of an ageing population and growth of chronic conditions requiring physiotherapy intervention.

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Chiropractor	Exercise Sports Scientist	Medical Practitioner	Midwife
Nurse	Occupational Therapist OT Aide OT Assistant	Osteopath	Podiatrist
Prosthetist	Sports Doctor

 

 

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Physiotherapist; ];
Careers Online [Therapy Aide; ]
CareerHQ [Physiotherapist; Physiotherapy Assistant; ]
Your Career [Physiotherapist; ]