Do you want to learn how to be a physical therapy assistant? To become one, you need to complete several hours of education and training. This job requires knowledge in physical therapy rehabilitation. You also need to care for and treat patients while staying updated on the latest therapy practices, like orthopedic, pediatric, and geriatric care.
In this post, we will discuss what a physical therapist assistant does. We will share what the job is like and mention some possible careers for a physical therapist assistant. By the end, you should know more about whether this career fits your interests.
Choose Career: Do You Like Being A Physical Therapist Assistant?
Is being a physical therapy assistant a good job? You might wonder this if you want to become one, are studying to be one, or already work as a PA. Joining the American Physical Therapy Association can be very helpful for physical therapy assistants. They have a critical role in helping physical therapists. They provide hands-on care, do administrative tasks, and take on other duties when needed, especially as the demand is expected to grow in the next decade.
Physician assistants do a lot of the same work as PTAs, but they mainly give exams instead of directly treating patients. If you feel that one of these paths is for you, take some time to look into both jobs. This way, you won’t have any regrets later!
The Top 5 Reasons Physical Therapy Assistants Enjoy Their Profession
- The amazing improvements they can notice every day in their patients.
- The way it feels to see the patient do things they could not do before.
- For example, walking up stairs or standing without pain.
They get to know the patient well. They understand what he or she needs to achieve these goals. This is not just a one-time thing; it happens all the time. Each day brings new challenges that are exciting. These can change every hour, if not every minute.
- Patients feel thankful for the help they get.
- They really appreciate it.
- This kindness is something they don’t often see in other jobs.
- They often work with people who have only had some success with usual ways of healing.
- This group has found little relief from their issues.
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Physical Therapist Assistant?
Physical therapist assistants who are employed at bigger healthcare places get benefits like:
● Medical,
● Dental,
● Life,
● And vision insurance
● Sick time off from their jobs and vacation time.
In addition to these benefits, employees can also use a retirement plan provided by the company. But smaller physical therapy offices do not offer many benefits. Employees there still get paid sick leave and holidays, but they do not have other kinds of insurance or saving plans for retirement.
The Profession of PTA: The Fundamental Skills, Training, and Responsibilities
To become a physical therapy assistant (PTA), you need to complete several hours of education and training, including earning an associate degree from an accredited program. A PTA works closely with certified physical therapists. To become a PTA, you should have a mix of skills, training, and important duties.
Skills:
Communication: A physical therapy assistant needs to have strong communication skills. This helps them talk with patients correctly. They should change their tone of voice based on how the patient feels. Good listening skills are also important. This allows a therapist to understand the patient’s illness or condition better.
Communication is key when dealing with insurance companies too. If the paperwork is not clear, it makes things harder for both therapists and assistants. As a physical therapy assistant, you will meet many patients daily. You will need to share their diagnosis and explain the treatment plan with them. Moreover, you often talk to insurance companies to support a patient’s treatment.
Computer & Technology: If you are a physical therapy assistant, you need to know how to write down your work. You should also learn how to read patient records and make exercise programs online with a computer. Plus, having basic skills in word processing will help you when making documents for patients or their families. These documents can include goals that were met during treatment sessions.
Compassion: Patients feel uncomfortable or in pain when they visit physical therapy due to an injury. This is why caring people who can understand others’ feelings should consider becoming physical therapy assistants. Some patients may need help and motivation to do the exercises that will aid their recovery. Physical therapists feel empathy for their patients’ struggles. They also know how to provide the right treatment. This allows them to help patients throughout their recovery process.
Training:
Some employers want candidates to first work as a physical therapy aide before they apply for a job as a Physical Therapy Assistant. This experience helps them learn how the clinic operates. They will find out where the exercise equipment is located. They will also gain skills in how to interact with therapists and patients.
Some employers might want you to have experience in certain places. For example, they may look for people who have worked with athletes before hiring them for sports jobs.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The PTA helps people who are recovering from injuries or conditions. They support these individuals as they work to move better and feel more independent in their daily lives. This involves activities like movement and massage. However, it is important to remember that this should never take the place of advice from your doctor.
They work not only with general practitioners but also handle many tasks in the physical therapy office. For instance, they manage clerical work. This includes filing medical records and insurance forms. Doing this helps keep all information organized for patients.
The PTA has several important tasks. They need to ensure that all necessary equipment is ready for each patient’s appointment. They also keep an eye on the inventory in their department. This way, they can make sure that supplies do not run out suddenly. It helps keep everything at a good level for upcoming appointments.
They also keep records current about different treatments. They do follow-ups with patients after they leave. This way, it does not feel like someone disappeared!
One important part of this job is working with people who have limited mobility or paralysis. This work takes much more effort than just helping them walk again over time. Sometimes, it means helping them within minutes during tough moments. When their muscles tighten due to spasticity, it requires quick action and care.
You can clearly see what physical therapist assistants do by looking at their duties and responsibilities.
How To Choose A Physical Therapy Assistant Program That Is Right For You
When Choosing a Program: The Association of PTA Schools does not rank physical therapist assistant programs. However, these programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. This accreditation makes sure that students receive good quality education and the right curriculum for becoming a physical therapy aide or technician. Keep these factors in mind when you choose your program:
- Financial Factor: Attending a PTA college or university can cost a lot. Many students finish their studies with student loans. It’s important to be smart about your finances. Research various programs to find the one that suits your experience and financial situation best.
Getting Overview: Before you put a lot of money into a PTA degree, find a program that feels right for you. You can learn more by talking to current students or recent graduates. You can also speak with employers who hire these students to hear about their experiences.
When picking an institute to become a physical therapist assistant, make sure the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE checks if the education for PTAs is of good quality. Here are some things to think about when choosing a school:
1) Location
2) Cost and funding availability
- Duration of the program
- Time needed from students
4) Class size and structure
5) Curriculum flexibility
How To Become A Physical Therapy Assistant: 4 Steps
If you want to be a physical therapy assistant, follow these 4 steps:
First, make sure this is the right career for you.
After you finish high school or college and get your undergraduate degree, you can start your training. You can sign up as a new student in one of over 70 approved programs. This will help you meet your training goals and get an associate’s degree.
Once you are enrolled, you will take courses in anatomy and physiology. You will also learn medical terminology and about human growth and development. There are many chances for clinical education. These opportunities are available at private practice facilities close to campuses, like hospitals and clinics. Here, students practice their skills under supervision while earning credits for their diploma.
When students finish their program, usually in 2 years, they earn a national certification. This certification is for physical therapy assistant programs. Graduates can apply for jobs right after graduation. They only need to pass one exam to do this.
You can now earn a degree as a physical therapy assistant online.
The online part of the PTA coursework is ready for students to finish. However, some clinical hours must happen in approved facilities. When a student completes this part, they can start their clinic training. They also need to provide background checks before beginning.
How Much Does A Physical Therapy Assistant Make?
If you are wondering about how much a physical therapist assistant (PTA) earns, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the median income is lower than what physical therapists make, although PTAs play a crucial role in improving people’s lives. PTAs earn less money because they work under the guidance of a physical therapist. They do not have their own patients assigned to them.
The typical salary for Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) was $55,000 or less each year in 2016. This information comes from Simply Hired.com.
Some skilled PTAs who work at bigger clinics can make around $70,000 to $80,000 a year in the United States. This amount can change based on where they work and the type of clinic. Physical therapy assistants also have the option to work part-time. This way, they don’t have to commit to 40 hours each week, allowing them more time for other interests.
Exploring the Role of Ethics in Physical Therapy Practice
In the world of physical therapy, being ethical is very important. As a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), you will often deal with situations that need careful thinking about how to care for patients and make treatment choices. It is crucial to keep ethical standards for the well-being of patients and for the credibility of the healthcare field. PTAs must handle tricky situations while honoring the choices of patients. They also need to make sure their treatment plans are in the best interest of the people they help.
Ethical practice in healthcare means looking out for what is good, avoiding harm, and being fair. PTAs are important in standing up for patient rights. They help make sure everyone has the same chance to get therapy services. By talking openly with patients, PTAs can create trust. This helps patients feel more involved in their treatment. A strong engagement like this not only improves results for patients but also strengthens the basic ethics of physical therapy.
Understanding the Physical Requirements for Being a PTA
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) have tough physical demands because of their job. Their work often includes helping patients and working with team members to perform mobility, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic exercises as part of a comprehensive plan of care. They do this under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. A big part of a PTA’s job is mobility. They need to show patients how to do exercises and help them as they recover. Sometimes, this means lifting or moving patients. Because of this, PTAs need to be fit and have good stamina.
Therapeutic exercise plays a big role in what PTAs do. They help patients with custom exercise plans that aim to improve strength, flexibility, coordination, and overall mobility by utilizing various therapeutic interventions. To be effective, PTAs need to know a lot about human anatomy and proper documentation. They must also be good at checking how each patient is doing physically. Furthermore, PTAs are trained to change exercises when needed based on a patient’s progress or limits. This helps keep the rehabilitation process safe and effective.
As a PTA, staying active can help you connect with your patients better. When you know how your own body works, you can relate to what they’re going through. This understanding allows you to help them with their physical challenges. When you share this connection, it creates a supportive space. This makes it easier for patients to join in their therapy and reach their goals.
The Value of Continuing Education for PTAs
Continuing education is important for physical therapist assistants (PTAs). It helps them stay competitive in the healthcare field. As physical therapy changes, PTAs need to learn about new research, techniques, and treatments. By taking part in continued education, PTAs improve their skills. It also shows they care about giving the best care to patients.
Many states ask PTAs to finish a specific number of continuing education hours to keep their licenses. This helps them follow rules and stay updated on practices that can make patient care better. By joining workshops, seminars, and online courses, PTAs can learn more and get better at special areas of physical therapy.
Pursuing continuing education can lead to better job opportunities and career advancement. Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) who choose to further their education may qualify for higher-level positions or specialized roles. They might work with patients in a variety of settings. While there are numerous benefits, it’s essential to consider the cons as well. Committing to lifelong learning helps them grow professionally. It also improves the quality of patient care in physical therapy practice.
Vertex:
Do you like helping people who are coming back from an injury, surgery, or illness? If yes, this blog post is for you. We will talk about what PTAs do and how they assist in recovery. This can be an excellent job choice if you want to help others feel good again!