According to the American Physical Therapy Association, more than 125,000 licensed physical therapy assistants are working throughout the country today. Physical therapist assistants are the group that works with patients who have wound or restorative conditions that restrains their portability or make it troublesome to perform regular exercises.
Those with physical therapy assistant jobs lend a hand to the more than 300,000 licensed physical therapists operating throughout the U.S. Are you interested in becoming a physical therapy assistant in 2022? If so, you should learn about the steps you’ll have to take to do it. Please find out about them below and start making strides toward your dream career.
Find Out What It’ll Be Like to Work as a Physical Therapy Assistant
Before you start jumping through hoops to become a physical therapy assistant, you should make sure that it’s what you want to do. You should get some sense of what your life will be like in this occupation.
To do this, you can speak with those already working in this realm. You can also read up on what the job responsibilities will entail. You can even sneak a peek at the average physical therapy assistant salary. All of these things should play into your decision to enter this field in the first place.
It’s as it were characteristic of being inquisitive approximately what the ordinary physical specialists’ right-hand compensation is. Nevertheless, you’re in for a few excellent news. First, PTAs have solid winning potential, particularly when considering these occupations can be accomplished with an Associate’s degree.
Earn an Associate’s Degree to Become a Physical Therapy Assistant
You’ll then need to obtain an Associate’s degree if you are. Next, you should sign up for one of your area’s physical therapy assistant programs and take PTA courses.
Getting a degree to work in this role might seem like it would be daunting. But you should be able to work your way through school in about 18 months if you play your cards right. This education comprises lab work, courses, and clinical preparation.
Pass an Exam to Become a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
In addition to getting an Associate’s degree to become a physical therapy assistant, you also have to earn a license in all but two states (Colorado and Hawaii). To get your physical therapy assistant certification, you’ll need to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants.
Before taking this exam, it would be wise to sign up for a PTA Exam prep course. It’ll put you in a much stronger position to pass your exam when you sit down to take it.
It is necessary because you will only be allowed to take the PTA Exam three times within any given year. You’ll also only be allowed to take it six times total before you aren’t permitted to take it anymore. Depending on the state, physical therapists, too, ought to take proceeding instruction courses to preserve their permit.
Begin Searching for Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs
After you get the necessary schooling and pass your exam, you’ll officially be on your way to working as a physical therapy assistant. After that, the only thing left to do will be to look for a job.
Google “physical therapy assistant jobs near me” to see what pops up. There should be more than enough PTA job opportunities in your immediate area. Start applying for some of these jobs so that you can begin working ASAP.
Working as a Physical Therapy Assistant Can Be a Great Career
If you like the idea of spending your life helping people to heal in the aftermath of injuries and surgeries, you’ll enjoy working as a physical therapy assistant. You’ll spend most of your days assisting those who need your help in getting back on their feet. It is a work with low stretch level, excellent work-life adjust and strong prospects to progress, get advanced and win a better compensation would make numerous employees cheerful.
Follow the steps listed here to become a physical therapy assistant. It’ll be one of the best decisions you ever make for yourself. Please browse through our other blog articles to get more invaluable career-related advice.
Final Thoughts:
If you are looking for a career in physical therapy, you may want to consider pursuing an associate degree. A PTA’s training will prepare them to work under the supervision of a physical therapist in various healthcare settings. A typical PTA program will last two years and requires students to complete 16 weeks of clinical experience. Once certified, a PTA can work in a variety of settings.
A physical therapy assistant is often the first person to work with patients. They observe and record important information that a physical therapist needs to keep track of. They also perform supervised therapy work and provide post-treatment education to patients. A PT assistant will also help with ultrasound and therapeutic massage, balance and coordination training, electrical stimulation, heat and ice treatments, and other exercises. This position can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging.
