 Career
Path Forecast
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of
increasing consumer demand for physical therapy services.
Job prospects for physical
therapist assistants are expected to be very good. Employment of
physical therapist assistants is expected to grow by 29
percent over the 2006-16 decade, much faster than the average for all
occupations.
The impact of Federal limits
on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for therapy services may
adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapist
assistants. However, long-term demand for physical therapist assistants
and aides will continue to rise, as the number of individuals with
disabilities or limited function grows.
 The increasing number of
people who need therapy reflects, in part, the increasing elderly
population. The elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic
and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These
patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the
roles of assistants and aides vital.
In
addition, the large baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for
heart attacks and strokes, further increasing the demand for cardiac and
physical rehabilitation. Moreover, future medical developments should
permit an increased percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating
added demand for therapy services.
 Physical therapists are
expected to increasingly use assistants to reduce the cost of physical
therapy services. Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is
designed by the physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant can
provide many parts of the treatment, as approved by the therapist.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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