If you are interested in becoming a physical therapy assistant, this career guide will help you learn about the educational requirements and certifications you need to work as one.
It also highlights the opportunities available in the physical therapy assistant career, and how to advance and be successful in it.
Please, read on:
Who is a Physical Therapy Assistant?
A physical therapy assistant is a health care provider who assists in the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment or prevention of disorders by applying physical therapy principles.
Why Choose Physical Therapy Assistant Career?
The physical therapist is an important member of any healthcare team, providing patient-centered services to individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.
These are a few reasons to consider pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant:
- You can help people recover from an injury or illness.
Helping patients regain their strength and mobility after surgery or recovering from serious injuries such as broken bones, burns, strokes, or spinal cord injuries is a rewarding job.
2. You can impact someone’s life positively.
As a physical therapist assistant, you may be able to provide direct patient care while working alongside a licensed physical therapist.
This means that your skills and knowledge can directly impact your patients’ recovery.
3. You can use your creativity and problem solving abilities.
You can also use your creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop new treatments for patients.
As an assistant to a physical therapist, you will have opportunities to learn about the new technologies and techniques that are been used in rehabilitation.
4. You can earn a good salary.
According to the May 2024 report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for physical therapists is $101,020.
5. You can choose where you want to practice.
There are many opportunities available for physical therapist assistants to work, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools, nursing homes, and other settings.
Physical Therapy Assistant Education Requirements
To become a physical therapy assistant, you must meet specific education requirements.
In most states, you need at least one year of college or vocational training before taking the licensing exam, while in some states two years of schooling are required.
Physical Therapy Assistant Continuing Education
To renew your license, it is required that you must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education each year.
Most states offer online courses through state agencies or universities. Other options include attending workshops, conferences, seminars, and lectures.
Physical Therapy Assistant Certification/License
To become a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, you need to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPE).
There are five parts to this test. Each part has multiple choice questions.
Your score on each section will determine how much credit you’ll receive toward passing the entire examination.
The exam is conducted by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs.
Certification is usually obtained after completing the physical therapy assistant program.
Many states require certification before they will issue licenses.
If you do not obtain certification, you cannot legally perform certain tasks in the profession.
Physical Therapy Assistant Career Opportunities
The physical therapy assistant career provides various opportunities individuals can explore.
Please keep in mind that these are only examples of what you could potentially do with your qualifications:
- Physician Assistant
Physician assistants work closely with physicians during medical procedures.
They help doctors in examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and treating injuries.
Some physician assistants may decide to specialize in specific fields, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or emergency medicine. To learn more about what physician assistants do, see their job description.
2. Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner uses advanced clinical knowledge and experience to provide primary care services.
These professionals may work independently or within a larger healthcare organization. They frequently perform diagnosis and provide medications.
3. Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists use their skills to assist people who have breathing problems.
Their duties vary depending on the setting. For example, respiratory therapists may work in an intensive care unit or operating room.
They also may work in hospital pulmonary rehabilitation department. To learn more about the respiratory therapist duties, see the job description.
4. Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technicians are responsible for performing blood and urine samples analysis, as well as analytical procedures on tissue specimens and other body fluids.
They prepare slides and conduct microscopic tests for disease detection. This occupation requires a high school diploma and at least one year of training. To learn more about the medical laboratory technician duties, see the job description.
5. Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists evaluate clients’ abilities and limitations to determine if they should seek treatment. They teach them new ways to perform daily activities and develop strategies to prevent future injury.
Others career opportunities physical therapy assistants can explore:
- Dental Hygienist. To learn more about the dental hygienist duties, see the job description.
- Pharmacist. To learn more about the pharmacist duties, see the job description.
- Chiropractor. To learn more about the chiropractor duties, see the job description.
- Massage Therapist. To learn more about the massage therapist duties, see the job description.
- Athletic Trainer. To learn more about the athletic trainer duties, see the job description.
- Personal Care Aide.
How to Advance your Physical Therapy Assistant Career
There are many ways you can advance your career as a physical therapy assistant. They include:
- Continuing Education Courses
To stay current on advances in the field, you can take continuing educational courses. These classes cover topics like pain management, orthopedics, and sports medicine. You can find accredited programs to take through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
2. Volunteer Work
Volunteering gives you hands-on experience working with patients. You might help out in a clinic or hospital where you learn how to set up equipment and administer treatments. Or, you might volunteer to work with children.
3. Networking
Networking allows you to meet potential employers face-to-face. Start by joining professional associations and local chapters. Attend networking events and conferences where you can talk to recruiters from various companies.
4. Specialty Certification
As you gain more experience, you can pursue specialty certification. There are several options available. For instance, you can become certified as a Certified Athletic Training Specialist (CAST), which is offered by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). NATA offers three levels of CAST certification. The first level is basic, while the second and third levels require additional coursework and testing.
- Job Placement Assistance
If you want to get hired right away, you can ask your employer about job placement assistance. Some businesses provide this service for free. Others will levy a fee.
How to Find a Good Physical Therapy Assistant School
When choosing a physical therapy assistant program, consider these factors:
- Accreditation
Accredited schools provide students with quality instruction. Look for accreditations, such as those provided by APTA, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and others.
2. Program Length
Program length varies depending on the type of program you choose. If you go into it thinking that you won’t be able to complete the program within four years, then you may not end up being successful. It’s best to select a program that has a minimum time requirement of two years.
3. Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary based on the location of the school, whether the school is public or private, and the kind of financial aid you receive.
4. Location
Location matters because some places have better weather than others. Also, you’ll need to consider commuting distance.
5. Faculty Experience
You want to make sure that the faculty members who teach at the school have worked as PTs before. They should also have experience teaching other health care professionals.
How to be Successful in your Physical Therapy Assistant Career
Being a good physical therapist assistant requires dedication, hard work, and persistence. Here are some tips to keep you moving forward toward success:
- Be Flexible
Your career path may change over time. So, if you’re interested in becoming an athletic trainer, but find yourself doing PT instead, don’t worry, just do the best you can until you are able to change to what you want.
2. Take Care of Yourself
Be sure to take breaks during long days of training. And, when you feel tired, try taking a nap.
Remember, your body needs rest just like any other person’s does.
3. Stay Positive
It’s easy to let stress build up. But, you need to stay positive. Negative ideas should not enter your mind. Think optimistically instead.
4. Get Involved
Join clubs and organizations. This helps you to network with people who can assist you in advancing your career.
5. Network
One of the most crucial things you can learn is how to network. When you meet people, introduce yourself to them. Ask questions. Learn from them.
Qualities of a Good Physical Therapy Assistant
A good physical therapy assistant must possess the following qualities:
- Knowledge.
Knowledge is power. Make sure that you know how to properly treat various types of injuries.
2. Attitude
An attitude is everything. Your attitude will determine how well you succeed in this field.
3. Patience
Patience is essential for a physical therapy assistant. You need to remain calm and collected even under stressful situations.
4. Communication Skills
Communication skills are vital for a physical therapy assistant because they help you to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other staff members.
5. Ability to Work Under Pressure
Working under pressure is a huge part of the physical therapy assistant’s work. It’s not fun, but it’s necessary. If you cannot handle pressure, then this job isn’t right for you.
Physical Therapy Assistant Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is expected to expand 32% from 2020 to 2030, substantially faster than the national average.
On the average,23,800 job opportunities are expected for physical therapist assistants and aides per year during the next decade.
Conclusion
The physical therapy assistant career can give you job satisfaction as derive joy in helping people get well.
It is also a lucrative career where you can earn good income.
