Working in Physical Therapy is a great career choice and there are many great reasons to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. For example, most PT professionals agree that rehabilitating the human body is one of the most interesting and rewarding healthcare career options available. Year after year Physical Therapists and Assistants are rated in the top 20 best healthcare jobs. Hopefully, after learning some of the pros and cons and reasons why to become a Physical Therapist Assistant, you will know whether or not the career is a good fit for you.
Their job is to provide assistance and support as the physical therapist treats a broad array of patient types. Some patients may have physical concerns that stop them from performing the usual tasks of daily life. Others may have bone fractures, chronic conditions, back or neck injuries.
A PTA could be assigned to help with everything from electrotherapy or massage therapies to helping patients learn to effectively use walkers, canes, and crutches. We wrote a step by step guide to become a PTA :. As you can see, to become a PTA you must complete a 2-year associates degree program along with clinical work.
So, education to become a PTA is affordable and quick compared to most other medical education programs. It is wise for students to choose programs that have received accreditation in their chosen state of practice. The standard curriculum is likely to include general studies, physiology and anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, ethics, and behavioral sciences. However, in order to be eligible for taking the PTA exam in some states, students need to graduate from programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
That is where the job hunt really starts, but valuable education is required first in order to pursue a physical therapist career. Clinical experience is also a part of every program. Real-world experience in a clinical environment can be a great foot in the door technique for those who are interested in such a career. This is why students who consider internships that start during school have a significant advantage over their colleagues.
However, given the volume of interested applicants and the number of open spaces in such programs, most institutions demand certain grade point averages in order to be admitted. There are certain portions of a PTA curriculum that may be fulfilled via online study , but hands-on clinical hour requirements must be done in facilities that have already been approved. Prior to the clinical training however, students may enroll and complete the majority of their coursework online.
Once a certain number of hours are completed students may begin their clinical work. It is also worth noting that before any student can start doing clinical training, they must submit to and pass background and criminal history checks.
This is due in part to the fact there are so many places a physical therapist assistant might work. They can be found in outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, fitness centers, and even at the workplace. Many of the exercises a PTA helps patients with simply involve learning to use the body in certain healthy ways.
However, some PTAs use special equipment like ultrasound or electrical stimulation devices. A physical therapist will always direct the overall course of treatment. Many physical therapist assistants love the opportunity to help people feel better and achieve more independence. PTAs may work with the elderly or with people of any age who suffered an accident and now need help.
Seeing them improve over time can be very satisfying! A physical therapist assistant does not have to worry too much about getting bored or doing the same thing repeatedly. Each patient has unique needs. When it comes to advancing their careers, PTAs are in a uniquely positive position. They have the chance to observe a physical therapist at work virtually every day.
They can learn whether advancing further appeals to them and what traits they would need to cultivate to succeed. Being a physical therapist assistant is emotionally demanding sometimes. Many patients are in pain and facing uncertainty about their health.
Some may even be short-tempered. You may never know how a patient fared after physical therapy ends, which can be upsetting when favorite patients move on. The job comes with frequent physical demands, as well. A PTA must be comfortable in physical contact with others, supporting patients as they complete exercises. A PTA may sometimes be expected to help a patient rise or walk.
Patient safety must always be a top priority. This combination enables you to link the learned principles to this practice. Some of the courses you will find in PTA programs include algebra, anatomy, English, physiology, and psychology. You could gain hands-on experience by frequently visiting treatment centers as part of an internship or externship. Are you interested in being a PTA? Do you know the reasons why you want to work with people to help make their lives better after an illness or injury?
For more information about this exciting program, connect with a knowledgeable admissions advisor today. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content. View the discussion thread. Degree Programs Colleges. Areas Of Interest. Degree Levels. Degree Completion Programs. North Carolina. South Carolina. Orlando Lake Mary. San Antonio. Learn Online.
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