A fast track guide to a career in becoming a physical tharapy assistant, Alot of solid information for anyone with an interest in PTA

1. Physical Therapy Assistant A Rewarding Medical
Specialist Career
From http://webhampton.com/
If you have always had a desire to help other people in need, then becoming a Physical Therapist
Assistant might just be the right kind of job for you.
Not only is it a rewarding career, but it holds endless possibilities for advancement, in the future.
Your initial step will include understanding the requirements of a physical therapist assistant,
enrolling and passing the required courses. Receiving your diploma and acquiring your license will
jumpstart start your career quicker than you thought possible.
A Career in High Demand
For the last number of years, there has been a consistent rise
in demand for highly qualified Physical Therapy Assistants
(P.T.A.).
The aging population of baby boomers (those born 1946
through 1964) continues to get older, with many reaching
retirement in just a few years.
As the number of geriatric individuals rises, so too will the demand for their medical care and
physical needs.
Additionally, the recent changes in federal and state government health insurance policies and
regulations have instantly opened the door to nearly 30 million more citizens giving them access to
quality healthcare.
In the coming months, there will be an immediate need for additional physical therapist and
assistants. Hopefully, many of the current and future students will be graduated and licensed as soon
as the full force of the policy changes take effect within the next two to three years.
Based on these two factors alone, the need for qualified physical therapist and assistance will
continue to grow for the next few decades.

2. What the Job Entails
This rewarding job involves helping physically impaired patients perform exercises directed at
strengthening their body, along with enhancing their range of motion.
It also includes the therapy needed to improve the patient's daily
function along with teaching them how to use mobility aids and
assistive devices.
In assisting your patients, they will improve their coordination,
strength,mobility and stamina, and dramatically improve the quality of
their lives.
Many of the patients you will come into contact with will be suffering
from injuries or disabilities due to cerebral palsy, heart disease,
fractures, arthritis, back pain, and other bodily ailments and injuries.
Their effective treatment plans might include workout routines,
physical exercise and using equipment that enables them to be more
mobile or active.
Working under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist you will help with the instruction
and therapy of each patient including those that require massage, balance coordination, ultrasound
and stimulation tools.
You will also help record each patient's reaction, outcome and progress in a report given to the
physical therapist that supervises your work.
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Other Duties
Your other duties will likely include helping each patient with their assistive devices including leg
braces and crutches.
Your clerical duties will involve answering the phone, filling out forms, ordering supplies and even
supervising other physical therapist aides that typically perform clerical tasks and administrative
duties.
A qualified P.T.A. will help set up equipment, and monitor each patient's daily progress. The job

3. will require taking instruction from the supervising physical therapist, interacting directly with your
clients and patients along with reporting to other staff members in the center, hospital or office
where you work.
A Highly Demanding Job
Obviously, this is a very physically demanding job that requires you to not only be fully educate
but also physically fit. Physical Therapist Assistants are a necessary part of the healthcare team and
work in a variety of settings including healthcare facilities, outpatient treatment centers and private
clinics.
The demands for employable positions include full-time,
part-time, weekends and the night shift.
At times it may involve physical exertion through the action
of lifting or transporting individuals, young and old.
Salary Expectations
The national average for full-time Physical Therapist
Assistants ranges from $30,000-$45,000 annually. Based on
your locale you could earn as much as $55,000 annually.
Many annual rates of full-time employment will vary depending on the specific type of facility
where you are employed. Higher salaries are often offered by individuals working in nursing care
centers.
Other top salaried physical therapist assistant jobs include those in surgical hospitals, general
medicine centers and healthcare practitioner's offices. Salary will also be based on your level of
experience, your level of education and training, and any specialization or certificates you hold.
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Association Designations
One of the leading respected associations in the field of physical therapy is the American Physical
Therapy Association. It has defined its eight designated specialties to include Pediatrics, Neurology,
Clinical Electrophysiology, Sports Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, Cardio Pulmonary Therapy,
Geriatrics, and Women's Health. Belonging to this organization improve your status as an assistant.

4. The Training
The easiest avenue to become a Physical Therapist Assistant is by completing your high school
diploma (or receiving a GED) and searching for optimal P.T.A. schools online, or in your area.
Though you can acquire a Physical Therapy Assistants diploma with an Associate's Degree, many
P.T.A. individuals choose to pursue their Bachelor's Degree to expand their jobs performance by
taking on additional work experience before actually entering the practical field.
Any advanced degree is strictly an option you might consider, and will only be required should you
wish to further your education and become a licensed physical therapist.
Basic Courses
Though different P.T.A. schools offer a variety of courses, all of them will offer an Introduction to
Physical Therapy, along with Pathology, Orthopedic and Therapeutic class.
Other classes might include Clinical Training, Geriatrics, Human Growth and Development, Human
Physiology, Human Anatomy, Kinesiology and Laboratory Practice. It might involve Medical
Ethics, Neurological Disorders, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Rehabilitation, Sports Injuries,
Speech Communication and Therapeutic Intervention
Introduction to Physical Therapy - As the basic foundation course for physical therapy, you will
become familiar with the current state of any upcoming innovative treatments.
You will gain a basic understanding of various rehabilitation methods, healthcare ethics and
psychosocial effects of injuries, which will serve as a basis for nearly all of the work you will be
required to perform once you are licensed.
Pathology Classes - As a student you will learn the intricacies of human pathology, common injuries
and ailments.
You will also understand how to effectively help heal your patient's problems in gastric intestinal,
circulatory, respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions.Orthopedic Classes - You will learn the
various diseases, injuries and ailments directly affected with this debilitating musculoskeletal
system.

5. You will be able to help recognize the various symptoms of orthopedic conditions to better
understand the developed treatment program.
Therapeutic Classes - One of the biggest parts of your job will require assisting your patients with
their developed exercise programs and monitor their performance. This class will teach you all the
necessities including injury prevention, performance maintenance and conditioning.
Selecting the Best School
For those medical practitioners wishing to hire you, the more qualified the school is that you
attended, the better physical therapist qualifications you own.
There are certain expectations of qualifications that are offered by the better schools including those
that have the following factors:
Accreditation - By attending an accredited school, your degree will hold much more value to those
that wish to employ you.
Accreditation means that the school has met all the nationally recognized
standards and upholds the many principles required in providing a top
level education to their students.
Course Curriculum - The course curriculum will involve every necessary educational class
necessary to fulfill the licensing requirements throughout the country.Costs - The cost of your
education at this teaching institution should fall in line with the average of any accredited school in
your region.
Financial Aid - The best school will offer a full line of financial aid to assist you in attending
classes. These should include Pell grants, student loans, along with public and private scholarships
and grants.Flexibility - The courses should be flexible to its adult students, many of whom hold full-
time jobs.
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Job Advancement
There are numerous ways for Physical Therapist Assistants to advance their chosen career. The
obvious option is to acquire additional training and education to become a full-fledged licensed
physical therapist.

6. In nearly every state, this will require a master's or doctorate degree that will have significantly
more requirements and stringent examinations to receive your diploma and license.
As an alternative, numerous Physical Therapist Assistants advance their career by becoming
specialized in a specific area of physical therapy including Sports Therapy, Pediatrics or Geriatrics.
You might choose to move into an office management position that typically includes the
organization and management of a large group of Physical Therapist Assistants or Aides.
This position usually requires management of others directly involved in a specific area of physical
therapy including sports therapy.
If you are an individual who is empathetic, resourceful and tactful when helping patients and their
family come to grips with health issues and injuries, this may be the chosen occupation for you.
Helping others understand effective treatments and adjust to the necessary rehabilitation will help
them become stronger and healthier.
By achieving your degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant you will open doors for quality jobs in
clinics, private practices, long-term healthcare facilities, sports medicine centers and hospitals.
As the demand continues to rise in this field, so too will the salaries and benefits associated with
this amazing job.
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