When it comes to choosing a career path in the healthcare industry, there are many options to consider. Two popular choices are becoming a physical therapy technician or a veterinary assistant. While both careers involve working with animals, they have different job responsibilities and require different levels of education and training. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between a physical therapy technician and a veterinary assistant, as well as their job descriptions, education and training requirements, and career outlooks.

Introduction

Both physical therapy technicians and veterinary assistants play important roles in their respective fields. They provide care and support to patients, whether they are humans or animals. However, the specific tasks and responsibilities of each profession vary greatly. It's important to understand these differences in order to make an informed decision about which career path is right for you.

What is a Physical Therapy Technician and Veterinary Assistant?

A physical therapy technician is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. They assist in providing therapeutic treatments to patients who are recovering from injuries or surgeries, have chronic conditions, or are experiencing physical limitations. Physical therapy technicians may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and private clinics.

On the other hand, a veterinary assistant is a healthcare professional who works in a veterinary clinic or hospital. They provide support to veterinarians and veterinary technicians in caring for animals. Veterinary assistants may perform tasks such as feeding and exercising animals, cleaning cages, administering medications, and assisting with basic medical procedures.

Difference between a Physical Therapy Technician and a Veterinary Assistant

While both physical therapy technicians and veterinary assistants work with patients, there are several key differences between these two professions:

• Patient population: Physical therapy technicians primarily work with human patients, while veterinary assistants work with animals.
• Job setting: Physical therapy technicians typically work in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics, while veterinary assistants work in veterinary clinics or hospitals.
• Responsibilities: Physical therapy technicians assist in providing therapeutic treatments to patients, while veterinary assistants focus on providing support to veterinarians and veterinary technicians in caring for animals.
• Medical knowledge: Physical therapy technicians require knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, as well as therapeutic techniques. Veterinary assistants need knowledge of animal anatomy and basic medical procedures.
• Licensing and certification: Physical therapy technicians are required to be licensed or certified in many states, while veterinary assistants may not have formal licensing requirements.

Physical Therapy Technician vs Veterinary Assistant: Job Description

The job description of a physical therapy technician and a veterinary assistant can vary significantly. Here is a breakdown of the typical tasks and responsibilities for each profession:

Physical Therapy Technician:

• Assisting physical therapists in providing therapeutic treatments to patients.
• Setting up equipment and preparing treatment areas.
• Instructing patients on therapeutic exercises and activities.
• Monitoring patients during treatments and documenting progress.
• Assisting with the maintenance and cleaning of equipment.

Veterinary Assistant:

• Feeding and exercising animals.
• Cleaning and disinfecting cages and examination rooms.
• Assisting veterinarians and veterinary technicians during examinations and procedures.
• Administering medications and vaccines.
• Assisting with the handling and restraint of animals.

Physical Therapy Technician vs Veterinary Assistant: Education and Training

The education and training requirements for physical therapy technicians and veterinary assistants also differ. Here is an overview of the typical educational paths for each profession:

Physical Therapy Technician:

• Education: Physical therapy technicians typically need an associate degree from an accredited program. These programs usually include coursework in anatomy and physiology, therapeutic techniques, and medical terminology.
• Clinical experience: Many physical therapy technician programs also require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours in a healthcare setting.

Veterinary Assistant:

• Education: While formal education is not always required to become a veterinary assistant, many employers prefer candidates who have completed a veterinary assistant training program or have previous experience working with animals. These programs typically last a few months and cover topics such as animal anatomy, medical procedures, and animal care.
• On-the-job training: Veterinary assistants often receive on-the-job training from veterinarians or experienced veterinary technicians.

Physical Therapy Technician vs Veterinary Assistant: Career Outlook and Salary

The career outlook and salary potential can also influence your decision between becoming a physical therapy technician or a veterinary assistant. Here is some information on the job outlook and salary for each profession:

Physical Therapy Technician:

• Job outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of physical therapy technicians is projected to grow 33 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for physical therapy services as the population ages.
• Salary: The median annual wage for physical therapy technicians was $48,090 in May 2020, according to the BLS.

Veterinary Assistant:

• Job outlook: The BLS projects that employment of veterinary assistants will grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for veterinary services as pet ownership continues to rise.
• Salary: The median annual wage for veterinary assistants was $29,050 in May 2020, according to the BLS.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a career path is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Both physical therapy technicians and veterinary assistants play vital roles in their respective fields and provide meaningful care and support to patients. By understanding the differences between these two professions, you can make an informed decision about which career path is right for you. Whether you choose to become a physical therapy technician or a veterinary assistant, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, whether they are humans or animals.

Explore Dreambound's programs, conveniently offered in multiple locations. Learn more about these two vocations by visiting:

• Physical Therapy Technician in Mississippi
• Veterinary Assistant in Mississippi
• Physical Therapy Technician classes near you
• Veterinary Assistant classes near you