Reasons You Should Consider Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant
The physical therapy industry is booming, and more and more people are interested in a physical therapy assisting career. With an increasing number of PTA jobs currently available across the country, there is no doubt about the importance of physical therapy as a career.
Many students, however, may be wondering whether physical therapy assisting is the right career choice for them. The good news is that becoming a physical therapist assistant is a great career choice that pays well and gives you a lot of diverse experience and knowledge.
This career choice is ideal for those who want to pursue a career that combines their love of helping others and their passion for physical therapy. As a physical therapist assistant, you will work alongside your therapist and perform duties such as manual therapy, pre- and post-op care and hospital and office consultations.
Becoming a PTA
As a physical therapist assistant, you will work in a variety of settings such as outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, athletic trainers, and skilled nursing facilities.
You will need to attend the PTA program in order to complete your general education courses. While in the PTA program, you will learn about the therapeutic exercise for aging of the human body, identify the diagnosis of developmental disabilities, and select a setting for treatment of such a patient.
Your physical therapy assisting program will prepare you for the NPTE licensure exam, determine your qualifying requirements, and finalize and review assignments. The Physical Therapy Program offers you a combination of a Bachelor’s degree and Associate Degree. It is nice to have multiple options for your education.
Learning how to become a physical therapist assistant will leave you excited at the opportunity that only requires an affordable and quick education. Physical-therapy-assistant.org has a detailed guide with step by step instructions on how to become a physical therapy assistant that is the best starting point.
What Does a PTA Do
A physical therapist assistant is a healthcare professional who assists a physical therapist with the rehabilitative care of the patient. They work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, private practices and acute-care facilities.
The duties of a PTA depend on the type of facility where they work. In most cases they have to assist therapists in developing treatment plans, carrying out treatments and managing patient care. They also have to collect data from patients and pass it on to their doctors or therapists.
PTAs also perform clerical tasks like updating medical records, scheduling appointments, and doing other tasks to assist other medical staff.
Working as a PTA will keep you active and give you the opportunity to do different things every day.
Why You Should Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
Although there are many great reasons why you should become a physical therapist assistant we broke it down into the main 4 categories of benefits below.
Affordable and Accessible Education Options
Choosing a pathway to a degree in Physical Therapy can be stressful, especially when you have a student debt. One of the good things about PTA school is that you will have the option to complete a PTA program in just two years, which can be extremely affordable. Over 370 schools in the US have PTA programs including places like Austin Community College and Pikes Peak Community College.
Fast Job Growth and Competitive Salaries
Per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), economic and employment growth opportunities related to physical therapy and the field of work are expected to grow 41% between 2013 and 2024. The PTA salary depends on the school, the physical therapist, and the clinical setting, typically between $50,000 and $100,000 depending on the school.
Career Advancement Opportunities
When you graduate with an associate degree, you will learn quite a bit about the process of becoming a physical therapist. If you feel ready to advance your career then you can consider attending PTA to PT Bridge Programs to become a licensed physical therapist.
#1 Healthcare Support Job and #13 Best Job Overall
USNews ranked physical therapy assisting as the #1 Healthcare Support Job and the #13 Best Job Overall. Physical therapist assistants enjoy the chance to make a real difference in the lives of their patients. They are well-trained in helping patients recover, live pain-free lives, and return to their full potential. Watching patients progress is very rewarding especially alongside great job growth and salaries. If you enjoy working with people and you love helping people to be more independent then this job is for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A career as a Physical Therapy Assistant is a great choice for those who are interested in helping others with their health, but are not sure whether they want to pursue the path of becoming a physical therapist. As a Physical Therapy Assistant you can be involved in helping patients with their physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
The physical therapy assistant (PTA) is a vital role in the healthcare team and you can count on a robust job market for the foreseeable future. If you’re interested in becoming a physical therapy assistant, I strongly suggest you go to school to gain the knowledge and skills you need to excel in the field.If you are new to physical therapy and want to learn more then you may also be interested in our related article, What is Physical Therapy?
