How to become a Therapy Aide

Duties & Tasks of a Therapy Aide

Therapy aides:

• 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.

Tasks

• Observes and reports changes in patients' condition, and reports complaints about care.
• Assists with rehabilitation exercises, basic treatment and delivers medications.
• Provides direct support and assistance to therapists.
• Assists patients with their mobility and communication needs.

Working conditions for a Therapy Aide

Therapy aides are not qualified to diagnose conditions or prescribe treatment. They work under the direction of professional staff such as doctors, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, nurses, home economists, occupational therapists, diversional therapists and social workers.

Employment Opportunities for a Therapy Aide

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.

Specializations

Community Health Nursing Aide

A 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

An 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

A 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

A 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.

Therapy Aide

Therapy aides assist professional staff by visiting clients, preparing written and verbal reports, and helping clients and carers with personal care tasks.

• 

  Average age

  39

• 

  Future Growth

  N/A

• 

  Gender Share

  85% female

• 

  Average full-time

  40 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  N/A

• 

  Skill level rating

  Medium skill

• 

  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

• 

  Full-Time Share

  28%

• 

  Employment Size

  7,800

• 

  Employment by state

  ACT: 1.6%
  NSW: 22.3%
  NT: 0.2%
  QLD: 17.0%
  SA: 9.4%
  TAS: 2.6%
  VIC: 26.6%
  WA: 20.3%
  
• 

  Age brackets

  15-19: 2%
  20-24: 10.9%
  25-34: 17.1%
  35-44: 17.6%
  45-54: 26.7%
  55-59: 13.8%
  60-64: 8.6%
  65 and Over: 3.4%
  
• 

  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 16.1%
  Bachelor degree: 18.5%
  Certificate III/IV: 37.6%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 4.8%
  Year 10 and below: 6.6%
  Year 11: 3%
  Year 12: 13.3%