Introducing: Penn Foster’s Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma Program
While PCDI is no longer accepting enrollments in our Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma Program, we’re excited to introduce you to our partner school, Penn Foster.
With Penn Foster’s flexible, online training, you can set your pace and work on your classes when it works for you. You’ll cover foundational skills like medical terminology, body system terminology, and more — all from home.
LEARN MORETake the First Step Towards a Rewarding Career
A physical therapy aide is someone who supports the physical therapists and therapist assistants to help patients recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain. If you want to start an entry-level career in the healthcare field that allows you to help others, becoming a physical therapy aide could be the perfect job for you.
Why Penn Foster?
Penn Foster has been on a mission to help people like you obtain skills and achieve their career goals for more than 130 years. We provide students with a quality education that fits their busy lifestyle and budget, offering over 100 self-paced, career-relevant programs across our College, Career School, and High School. Every course is designed to work with your schedule, anytime, anywhere you want to study. With a focus on relevant skills and career prep for the job you’re after, Penn Foster can help you graduate with confidence and help provide a guide towards your career goals.
What You'll Learn in Penn Foster’s Online Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma Program
- Medical terminology, what the parts of the musculoskeletal system are and how to identify common dysfunctions, disorders, and conditions within them.
- How to utilize both cold and heat treatments, as well as the purpose of cryotherapy, heat treatments, deep heating treatments, and the role of an aide in administering heat treatments.
- Different types of exercises, including range of motion, strength and coordination, and ambulation and gait training.
- Personal, patient, and environmental safety as well as standard first aid.
Penn Foster’s Online Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma Program
As part of our Physical Therapy Aide Program curriculum, students learn the fundamental skills needed to begin an entry-level career as a physical therapy aide. Your courses include:
- Anatomy and Body Systems Terminology
- Common Physical Disorders
- Physical Therapy Treatments
- Exercise and Mobility Training
- Customer Service
- Workplace Health and Safety
Learn More About the Penn Foster Experience
At Penn Foster, we think online learning can make a big difference in people's lives, and it should be available to everyone. That's why we've made our programs affordable and tailored to fit your needs. You can learn and improve your skills for the job you want, all at your own pace and on your own schedule.
Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma Program FAQs
Physical therapy aides assist and support the physical therapist and other staff in clinical settings. Major duties include preparing the treatment area, patient care, and equipment, in addition to performing minor activities under the supervision of a physical therapist.
To become a physical therapy aide, you must have a minimum of a high school diploma. No certification is required, and you will receive on-the-job training, but additional training and education like a career diploma can help give you a competitive edge in this growing job market.
The average yearly salary for a physical therapy aide in 2021 was $31,410.*
A career as a physical therapy aide can be a good career if you enjoy working with people and helping others. You'll learn to assist in the physical rehabilitation of individuals after injuries, surgeries, and illness, helping to improve their quality of life.
Sources:
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed October 2, 2023.
Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.
