Physical therapy is provided in acute care/hospital settings to patients who are admitted for a short time due to an illness, surgery, accident, or trauma. The goal is to medically stabilize patients and release them as soon as possible. Most PTAs (72%) work in acute care facilities or private practices, while others may work in home health, schools, or rehabilitation units, with 28% working part time. The average salary for PTAs in acute care is $45,190 annually or $21.73 per hour, with the highest paying states being California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Common diagnoses treated include joint replacements, fractures, strokes, and balance or wound issues.
2. Acute Care
• Physical therapy is provided to patients
who are admitted to a hospital for a
short amount of time
• Patients may be admitted for an illness,
surgery, accident, or recovery from a
trauma
• Goals in this setting would be to
release a patient as soon as they are
medically stable
3. PTAs in Work Setting
• Currently 72% of PTAs work in acute care,
hospitals, or privately owned physical therapy
practices
• Other PTAs may work in home health, schools,
or rehabilitation units
• 28% of PTAs work part time
4. Salary Range
• Average salaries in the acute care setting are
$45,190 annually
• $21.73/hr
• The highest paying states are California,
Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Tennessee
5. Diagnosis
• Patients may be admitted into an acute care
facility for many reasons
• Arthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Fractures
• Stroke
• Sports Injuries
7. Treatments
• Commonly treated health conditions in acute
care
• Total joint replacement
• Fractures
• Stroke and spinal cord injuries
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
• Balance issues
• Infection, wound care, burn care
8. Skills, Training and Recognition
• PTAs are required to have at least an
Associates degree
• PTAs must be licensed within the state they
work
9. Training
• Certification, licensure, and registration
requirements for PTAs vary from state to state
• 45 states require PTAs to obtain one of the
three
