Physical Therapist Assistant

Guide to Physical Therapy Degrees

Physical Therapy Assistant positions often require an associate degree or program that explores the fundamentals of healthcare. Additional training is usually gained through on-the-job experience. Below are schools with online Physical Therapy Assistant programs or related degrees and links that can be used to contact each school.

Physical Therapy Aide	Stratford Career Institute – Stratford Career Institute is one of a few schools with an online Physical Therapy Assistant program available. Stratford is a private school established in 1991 that specializes in career training and distance learning. Course length ranges from six months to two years; the online classes allow you to work at your own pace.
Physical Therapy Aide	Penn Foster Schools – Penn Foster Schools is an established and trusted school with its founding over 100 years ago and has had over 13,000,000 enrolled in its training programs. Penn Foster offers an online course for students interested in becoming Physical Therapy Assistants and length of study can vary between less than a year to two years, depending on what is right for you.
AAS in Medical Assisting	Kaplan University – Join the exciting medical career with the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting program at Kaplan University. As the baby boomer population begins to age, the medical community is expected to demand the help of medical assistants at greater rates. The curriculum of this program explores health science and general education coursework.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University – The AS in Medical Assisting Program at Keiser University uses an innovative approach to prepare students to assist in healthcare settings. Tasks of a graduate might be preparing examination rooms, taking vital signs, assisting in minor surgical procedures, giving injections, performing venipuncture, assisting in laboratory operations, taking x-rays and administering electrocardiograms.
AS in Clinical Medical Assisting	San Joaquin Valley College – The Clinical Medical Assisting program at San Joaquin Valley College prepares graduates to provide the highest quality back office and direct patient care in a variety of medical settings. The curriculum includes a balance of classroom instruction with laboratory experience. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant and National Certified Medical Assistant exams.

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What Tasks Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Perform?

Physical therapist assistants (PTA) work with physical therapists in order to help patients with disabling conditions improve their physical mobility and strength through exercise. They also help new patients learn how to use various mobility devices such as crutches, walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. Patient conditions range but often include accidents and sports injuries, joint, bone and muscle disorders, and physical debilitation caused by a stroke.

In addition to exercise instruction, physical therapist assistants also administer other treatments to patients. These treatments can include massage, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation and TENS, traction, and hydrotherapy. All treatments administered by PTAs are monitored by physical therapists.

In some physical therapy facilities, a physical therapist assistant’s job description will also entail performing clerical tasks, such as answering the phone, scheduling appointments, and filing insurance paperwork.

What Types of Physical Therapist Assistant Programs Are Out There?

Physical therapist assistant programs are associate’s degree programs that usually take two years to complete. The curriculum covers science-based subjects that will aid the graduate in their health care career. Subjects covered include anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, clinical pathology, kinesiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, behavioral sciences, communication, and ethics in health care.

When students first begin their PTA program, they will mainly attend classes and science labs. Clinical education typically begins after the first or second semester of study.

Many of the courses required for graduation can be taken online. However, the classes that have a lab component typically require you to attend a weekly laboratory session on campus. Your clinical practicum will also require attendance at an assigned physical therapy practice. Therefore, the program cannot be completed entirely online.

Some schools offer the option to take classes on a part-time basis. This will usually require you to pay your tuition on a per-credit basis and can be more costly than attending school full-time. Most PTA programs only offer a full-time option.

The average annual cost for public, in-state PTA program tuition and fees is $8,000.

• Allied Health Degrees
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How Do I Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?

You must earn an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. Specific requirements for admission into a PTA program will vary depending on which school you choose to apply to. The basic requirements for admissions typically include:

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Have taken a college entrance exam (SAT or ACT) with an acceptable score.
• Complete all program prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better. These are college-level courses (often biology and physiology).
• Submit at least two letters of recommendation.
• Observe a physical therapist assistant or physical therapist for a certain number of hours and document your observations.
• Once you earn your associate’s degree, most states will require you to pass a national examination to become a licensed physical therapist assistant.

Where Can I Go for More Information on a Career in Physical Therapy?

There are several online resources for potential and current physical therapy workers. The following sites offer information for physical therapy education, employment, and research:

• The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has a career and education section on their website. It gives a complete overview of what it takes to become a physical therapist assistant and their role. The APTA website also features the latest physical therapy news and publications, as well as a blog and regular Podcasts.
• The American Medical Association’swebsite features an education and careers section where you can find more information about becoming a physical therapist assistant and compare this profession with other health care professions.
• The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicagohas been ranked as the top rehabilitation hospital in the United States since 1991. Their website offers information on patient care and recovery, current research, and careers.

What is the Job Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants?

According to the United States Department of Labor, employment for physical therapist assistants is expected to grow much faster than average in the near future. With job prospects high, PTA work is a great career choice for anyone who wants to work in health care but doesn’t want to go through years of schooling to get there.

Although job outlook for physical therapist assistants is in the green, being admitted to a PTA program can be quite competitive. If you have an interest in this career, you will be required to prove yourself before admittance to the program.

What Should I Consider Before Pursuing a Career in Physical Therapy?

Working as a physical therapist assistant requires a good bit of physical strength. Because you will occasionally have to lift patients, it is important to stay in top shape for this job. You should be able to determine whether or not your body can meet the physical demands of this job during your required pre-admission observation work. In addition to lifting, the work of a physical therapist assistant also requires frequent bending, kneeling, and standing. This is not your regular desk job.

In addition, graduates of a PTA program should be fully prepared to work in a health care environment in an ethical, safe, and legal manner.

What Will My Salary be as a Physical Therapist Assistant?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapist assistants earn a median annual income of $46,000. A number of factors, however, will determine your actual salary amount. Those factors include geographic location, physical therapy practice setting, years of experience, and degree of education.

In general, physical therapist assistants are paid on an hourly basis, giving the opportunity to make over-time pay.

Where Do I Go to Get Student Aid?

After applying for admission to a physical therapist assistant program, the first thing you will want to do is fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are two ways to do this; you can fill out a paper application or fill out an online application. You can find a paper application in your high school counselor’s office or at your college’s financial aid department. The online application can be accessed via the FAFSA website.

Depending on your financial needs, you might be eligible for federal grants (aid that does not have to be repaid), federal loans (aid that must be repaid after graduation), or both. The key to financial aid is applying early. The earlier in the year you apply, the greater the chance you will receive more federal student aid. Also, keep in mind that the application for federal student aid is always a free service. Any website that asks for a FAFSA fee is a scam.

In addition to federal student aid, you should also search for any available scholarships. There are several resources for finding available scholarships, including online resources. A few trustworthy scholarship search sites include:

• fastweb.com: The most widely-used scholarship search site. By just entering a bit of personal information, you will be quickly matched with several scholarship opportunities.
• Scholarships.com: This site also requires some information before instantly matching you with available scholarships.
• The U.S. Department of Education also provides an online scholarship search for college students.

As with the federal student aid application, online scholarship searches and applications should always be free. Never pay for scholarship information or applications!

Another great resource for scholarship information is your college of interest’s financial aid office. Many colleges actually offer scholarships to their students, and you can find out about these through the financial aid department.

What Can I Expect From the Clinical Component of My Education?

Clinicals will provide you with the real-world experience you need to work as a physical therapist assistant straight out of school. Your clinical experience will help you slowly become comfortable working with patients, many of whom are often in severe pain, and other health care professionals. Clinicals always take place in acute care settings in hospitals, outpatient physical therapy clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers.

Whenever possible, your school will try to match you with a clinical setting that matches your specific physical therapy interests: neurological, sports, pediatric, geriatric, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and others.

During your experience, you will be monitored by licensed physical therapist assistants and physical therapists who will act as your instructors. You will be given the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills you learned in your classes and laboratories to assist health care professionals with patient care.

A student clinical experience never involves clerical work. You should be working with a health care professional at all times, learning how to provide adequate patient care. At the end of your clinical experience, you should be fully trained and ready to work in any physical therapy setting.

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