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Working as a physical therapy aide can be a fun job, but it often has high demands.
Many aides feel like they have limited career growth, low patient interaction, and also pay that doesn’t match the job.
In addition, the job is physically demanding and can be emotionally draining working with patients who may experience pain or frustration with their condition.
You don’t have to stay in a physical therapy aide job, as there are many alternative career paths to choose from.
List of Alternative Careers
1. Exercise Physiologist
An exercise physiologist is a healthcare professional who helps educate and build exercise plans for patients.
They aid patients in improving cardiovascular health and body composition for those with chronic diseases.
Essentially, they work to improve patients’ quality of life and help educate them on how to live with their disease healthily.
Luckily, those who work as a PTA will have plenty of skills necessary to be an exercise physiologist.
For example, a PTA will have strong patient communication and support.
They will also help identify limitations and safety concerns and have basic knowledge of movement analysis.
Lastly, they can help guide exercises and modify the plan as necessary.
All of these skills are necessary for an exercise physiologist.
To become an exercise physiologist, one will need either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physiology or exercise science.
Pursuing extra certifications can also help, such as being a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) or those that are approved by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).
Working as an exercise physiologist can be more rewarding, as they have increased autonomy, a wider scope of practice, and a higher earning potential.
2. Rehabilitation Aide
A rehabilitation aide works as an assistant to a physical therapist and helps provide patient care.
Additional tasks include transporting patients, preparation, and clerical tasks.
In some practices, they may also be responsible for maintaining equipment and front desk duties.
Working as an aide in either profession tackles similar job duties such as working alongside other qualified professionals, patient interaction, and a focus on aiding rehabilitation.
Other important skills such as computer and customer service skills are also transferable between the two professions.
Luckily, no other education is necessary besides a high school diploma or GED, as you’ll receive on-the-job training.
Making the transition to a rehabilitation aide can be a good choice, as you’ll be able to work with a broader spectrum of treatments.
For example, a rehabilitation aide will work with physical, mental, or other disabilities.
You’ll also have more career growth potential, as you can gain experience in a wide array of disciplines and also have better job security.
3. Activity Director
Activity directors are responsible for managing activities for a select group of a population.
The activities range from mental, social, and physical and are designed to help provide life enrichment to their clients.
Other names for an activity director are activity coordinator, social program coordinator, recreation director, and more.
Many skills transfer from an aide to an activity director.
You’ve already gained skills by learning how to be empathetic and compassionate to patients.
When working alongside patients, physical therapy aides also actively listen to patients and focus on understanding their needs and wants.
Lastly, you’ll also have strong preventative skills and awareness to ensure clients don’t get hurt.
Employers will want to see that you have a high school diploma or GED, and also a certificate as a recreational therapist.
Some individuals get additional credentials to show competency in certain disciplines.
For example, an Activity Director Certified (ADC) credential from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP).
Being an activity director is highly rewarding, as you’ll get a better sense of your client’s wants and needs.
In addition, you’ll be able to see how happy activities make them.
Not only that, but you’ll get to see more clients in a day and focus on being in control over what happens while also mitigating risks.
4. Recreation Therapist
A recreation therapist uses recreation-based treatment to help those with disabilities or who are struggling with illnesses that hinder them physically or mentally.
During treatment, a recreation therapist will use research-based treatment methods that incorporate sports, games, music, and social outings to help aid patients.
Mainly, their focus will be to help reduce depression and stress, provide more confidence, and also help them improve their sensory and motor abilities.
Similar to a physical therapy aide, a recreation therapist will use medical-based procedures that are proven to work.
Being compassionate, caring, and attentive are key roles that transfer.
In addition, documentation, safety, risk mitigation, and assessment are a huge part of the role.
Unlike other alternative careers, a recreation therapist will need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree to work in the field.
They will need to attend a four-year college that is certified through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
Once qualified, you may need to attend on-the-job training or shadow until you are proficient at what you do.
Being a recreation therapist can be an excellent alternative if you’re not fond of working under someone.
The autonomy is much greater, and you’ll have more opportunities for career growth.
In addition, there are more disciplines, as you can work with certain illnesses or disabilities.
There is also more pay and incentives to help clients achieve their goals.
5. Patient Advocate
A patient advocate is an individual who aids patients in navigating the healthcare system.
They are responsible for helping explain to patients what resources are available to them, helping them find financial support, and also pointing them in the right direction.
Some patient advocates may also aid in scheduling appointments and helping them connect with the right agencies.
Many skills that a physical therapy aide obtains will transfer well into the patient advocate role.
A physical therapist’s aide is often the first point of contact with treatment, and thus you will learn how to communicate efficiently and understand the patient’s needs.
You will also be compassionate and be able to work one-on-one with patients to help determine what type of treatment and resources are needed.
Other skills such as front desk work, updating patient files, and computer skills will also transition easily.
Generally, you don’t need any formal education to become a patient advocate.
Instead, you’ll need relevant skills such as strong communication, problem-solving, and empathy.
In addition, you’ll also be better off if you know healthcare systems, as you will be met with constant deadlines that could affect one’s health.
The only education necessary is to have a high school diploma or a GED.
Being a patient advocate can be highly rewarding work.
You’ll have full management over a caseload of patients and be able to connect them with resources that can change their lives.
That said, it can also be stressful, so it’s important to be able to handle difficult deadlines and ensure that the patient gets connected to the right services.
Otherwise, you may be facing very deadly consequences due to patients not getting treatment on time.
Tips for Transitioning Careers
Transitioning from a physical therapy aide can be challenging at first, but if you know what you want to transfer to, then it becomes a seamless process.
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure that you want to switch careers to another.
You can do this by talking to other professionals in that field, or by seeing if you can shadow or volunteer with them.
After that, it’s best to gather all necessary education, certificates, or skills relevant to the job.
If you have to go through a diploma, then you’ll need to make sure you choose a program that is certified by the right credentialing body.
In addition, certificates may be outdated or state-specific, so it’s best to know which ones to get.
Lastly, you’ll also want to make sure that you practice relevant skills.
Once you do all of this, you may also need to complete either shadowing or gain hours working in a discipline before being able to work on your own.
It’s important to know what jobs are open and if there are enough in your area for you to apply to.
If it isn’t in high demand, you may need to move to a different town or be willing to commute.
Conclusion
Being a physical therapy aide can be a rewarding job, as you’ll get to help patients heal and become their better selves.
However, it can also be tiring and emotionally draining as you will have to be close to people who may not ever be able to achieve their goals.
With that said, if you want more autonomy and don’t want to become a physical therapist, then these alternatives are a great place to start.
Just be sure that you fully understand the career and what is necessary before you begin to transfer to a different profession.
