There are differences between the physical therapist assistant vs occupational therapist assistant but therapy services workers in general help patients with injuries or diseases to live independently and overcome their disabilities.
Physical therapist assistants and occupational therapist assistants will work either in hospitals, nursing homes, schools or private homes.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants work according to a treatment plan drawn up by physical therapists which will include massage, electrode therapy, kinesiology, water therapy and helping patients to use equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches.
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Occupational health therapist assistants work with people who suffer from mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling conditions and carry out activities according to a treatment plan drawn up by an occupational therapist.
The assistant will typically help clients to perform simple tasks such as cooking, shopping, looking for work or socializing so they can live fulfilled and independent lives.Many of the activities will be to improve basic motor functions, reasoning abilities and to compensate for any permanent loss of function.
Physical Therapist Assistant vs Occupational Therapist Assistant
Both roles require a caring attitude, good communication skills, patience, ability to work in a team and some practical skills. Both roles also require a minimum of an associate degree or equivalent.
Salary
For both occupational therapist assistant and physical therapist assistant roles pay tends to be on average around $48,000 at a basic level but specializing in different areas can increase the amount earned.
Qualifications
To become an occupational or physical therapist assistant it is necessary to study an associate degree which is typically two years and is accredited by the relevant physical therapy or occupational therapy education council.
For occupational therapist assistants courses usually cover health care, anatomy and physiology as well as mental health and pediatrics. Usually 16 weeks of supervised field work is also a requirement.
For physical therapist assistants course subjects will include kinesiology, neurology, microanatomy as well as using devices such as canes, wheelchairs and prostheses. There will also be subjects in the practicalities of physical therapy and issues in health care as well as legal issues in the field.
In most states in the USA it is also necessary to sit a state exam to become licensed to practice in both fields.
Personal Traits
People who wish to enter into a career in therapy need to have patience, a caring attitude, good communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to work within a team.
Employment Prospects for the Physical Therapist Assistant vs Occupational Therapist Assistant
Employment prospects for both occupational and physical therapist assistants are expected to grow much more quickly than average over the next seven years according to the US Bureau for Labor so job prospects are very good.
The demand is only expected to increase because of the increasing elderly population and baby boom generation who are vulnerable to heart attacks and strokes.
Career Advancement for the Physical Therapist Assistant vs Occupational Therapist Assistant
Opportunities for career advancement and specialization in both occupational and physical therapist assistant fields are plentiful and can offer a fulfilling and lifelong career.
Specializing in certain areas such a neurology or pediatrics can bring its own rewards and there is also the option to go into teaching after gaining experience in the field.