How To Become A Physical Therapy Assistant – A physical therapist assistant works directly with a PT to assist patients with rehabilitation. As a physical therapist myself, I know first-hand the invaluable role that PTA plays in a patient’s progress. If you are interested in physical therapy as a career, don’t miss the opportunity to become a PTA. I’ll give you all the steps below!
Although the path to becoming a physical therapist assistant isn’t as long as that of a PT, you’ll still need to complete rigorous training to become state-regulated.
How To Become A Physical Therapy Assistant
I will explore each of these steps in more detail later in this article. But first, let’s take a closer look at a career as a physical therapist assistant so you can decide if it’s the right path for you.
Physical Therapy Assistant Cover Letter Examples
PTA helps not only the physical therapist, but also the patients and the clinic. Their main job duties include:
Compared to physical therapists, PTAs can actually spend more time interacting with their patients. Although they do not prescribe or develop a plan of care, PTAs have the authority to modify treatment to meet the patient’s needs.
Like PTs, most PTAs work in outpatient clinics, but there are many other places where PTA positions are in demand.
In addition to the clinic, PTAs work in hospitals, such as acute care or post-acute rehabilitation facilities, helping hospital patients recover and discharge. A nursing home or skilled nursing facility may also have its own physical therapy clinic open to residents or other patients who do not have space.
How To Become A Physical Therapist Assistant (pta) In 2019
A physical therapist assistant can work not only in a health care facility, but also in other settings. For example, home PTA provides rehabilitative care in each patient’s home, just like in a clinic. Some schools and fitness centers have PTAs on deck to help with mobility issues and promote wellness. As a PTA, you may even work in a state or government agency, such as the military, or be called upon to help a corporate office create a more ergonomic work environment.
Overall, physical therapy administration is a highly applicable skill, and PTAs are sought after not only across the country, but across a variety of industries.
As the population ages and baby boomers slow down, the demand for physical therapy will only increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in the ten years from 2019 to 2029 employment of physical therapist assistants will increase by 33 percent.
Career prospects for PTs and PTAs are positive, but the respective salaries vary greatly. On average, PTAs earn just over $28 an hour, or $59,000. USD every year, that is 30 thousand. less than average PT salary. Rising PT salaries come with the cost of education and – in many cases – the potentially enormous burden of student debt. So just because you’d make less money as a PTA doesn’t mean it’s a poor choice.
Physical Therapist Assistant Degree
What does an employer look for in a PTA? Well, apart from their education and qualifications, which we will discuss later, an employer is interested in the soft skills of a PTA. All the training in the world won’t make you love a job if it doesn’t match your strengths.
These qualities will not only help you determine if PTA school is a worthwhile investment, they can also show potential employers that you have what it takes to thrive in this career.
To work as a PTA, you will need a valid, current, state-issued PTA license. However, obtaining this license requires more than filling out an application form. In fact, becoming a PTA requires years of learning both in and out of the classroom.
PTAs must be well versed in physical therapy treatments and feel confident handling modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation. A good PTA is also a good communicator who can effectively inform patients about their care plan and the use of special equipment.
Physical Therapist Assistant Education: What To Expect In Your Pta
So before you can apply for a PTA job or PTA license, you’ll need to go to school!
After graduating high school or completing your GED, you will need to apply to an accredited physical therapist assistant program and complete a 2-year associate’s degree.
To be qualified, a program must be accredited by CAPTE, the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. CAPTE is the only agency recognized by the US Department of Education for accrediting entry-level physical therapy programs.
The best way to find a PTA program is on the CAPTE website. With more than 350 accredited programs nationwide, you’re sure to find a school that meets your needs.
Physical Therapy Assistant Job Description
Typically, an accredited PTA program culminates in an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree.
Regardless of the actual title of your degree, if it is an accredited PTA program, it will likely consist of 5 full-time semesters of coursework and clinical experience. Some PTA programs allow for part-time work or online coursework, so flexibility is an option. Otherwise, allow two years for graduation.
To complete your PTA program, you will likely earn between 65 and 75 credits, ¾ of which are earned through didactic coursework such as the following:
In addition to coursework, your education will include at least 16 hours of clinical experience – hands-on learning under the supervision of a PT or PTA in a clinic. Clinical training typically takes place over the last 3 semesters and takes place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and outpatient rehabilitation facilities.
Physical Therapist Assistant Interview Questions (with Example Answers)
After completing the PTA program and earning an associate’s degree, you will be eligible to take the board exam, National Physical Therapy Exam, or NPTE.
Both PTs and PTAs must pass the NPTE in order to be certified or licensed. If you hope to become a PTA, you will choose the 4-chapter length version, which consists of 200 questions. The NPTE is a timed test and should last no longer than 4 hours, with at least one scheduled break halfway through.
Unlike other standardized tests, the NPTE has no text questions, only multiple-choice questions, and there are no penalties for incorrect answers. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that NPTE is a piece of cake. The test is scored between 200 and 800 points, and you will need at least 600 to pass. You are allowed no more than three consecutive NPTE attempts, or a total of six attempts in your lifetime.
Obviously, when you are ready to appear for the NPTE, give yourself enough time to study. I took the NPTE myself a few years ago, and I’m sure these NPTE study tips will be as helpful to future PTAs as they were to me.
How Much Does A Physical Therapist Assistant Make
All states require a passing NPTE score as a condition of PT or PTA licensure. But many states require other things as well. For example, half require prospective licensees to pass a bar exam, while others provide background checks or provide professional liability insurance. So, before you register to take the exam, check your state’s requirements if you need to complete the next step first.
The FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) has put together this chart for prospective PTAs to determine their state’s licensure requirements. Simply enter the name of your school and the state in which you would like to be licensed, and the flow chart will guide you through the rest of the process. FSBPT is the agency that issues the NPTE, so you can trust that this information will be updated.
Once you have completed all license requirements, you can apply for a PTA license! Some states will issue your license automatically after receiving notification of your passing score from the NPTE. However, in order for the license to be processed, you will need to complete all other steps in advance, including all application fees.
A licensed PTA never stops learning, and not just figuratively. Almost all states require licensed PTAs to demonstrate “continuing education” or “continued competency” as a condition of licensure. In other words, unless you periodically attend more PTA courses or participate in appropriate learning activities, you will not be able to renew your license and continue to practice.
How To Become A Sports Physical Therapist Assistant
Licensure requirements vary by state, as do continuing education requirements. Between 10 and 40 hours of continuing education units, called CEUs, are expected each year or every two years. Depending on your state, you may only have a few courses and providers to choose from, or you may not have to complete any at all. Your state may shorten the first renewal period and not require as many CEUs, but it’s best to check ahead of time, at least a couple of months before your license expires.
After working with physical therapists in a clinic or hospital, you may decide that you would like to be a PT instead of a PTA. In addition to a higher salary, you will gain more leadership opportunities and decision-making autonomy. Personally, I love being a PT and there are many perks that we don’t share at all with PTAs.
About 1 in 10 PTAs become PTs, so it’s not
How to become a physical therapy assistant salary, how hard is it to become a physical therapy assistant, how to become a physical therapy assistant, how long to become physical therapy assistant, become physical therapy assistant, requirements to become a physical therapy assistant, become a physical therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant program, how long to become a physical therapy assistant, how to become a licensed physical therapy assistant, how to become a certified physical therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant how to become
