Physical therapy is a dynamic healthcare profession that helps people of all ages improve their movement, physical abilities, strength, and quality of life. This is accomplished through education, exercise, and hands on treatment. Most important, a physical therapy assistant maximizes recovery from injury, illness, or disease, so people enjoy life to the fullest.
How do I become a physical therapy assistant?
To become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) in the United States you earn an associates degree from an accredited college. Typically this takes 2 years to complete. Coursework often includes medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and classes specific to PT treatment for adults and children. In addition, you complete an internship treating patients under the direction of a physical therapist.
Upon graduating you take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) which is offered 4 times a year. After that, you are recognized as a physical therapy assistant. In addition, most states require you to be licensed as a PTA, but this is a simple process.
What does a physical therapy assistant do?
A physical therapy assistant (PTA) works with a physical therapist to provide treatment to patients with physical injuries that result from trauma, illness, or disease. In addition, they collaborate with a PT to identify problem areas, and then follow a treatment plan to improve function and movement.
For example, PTA’s might work with athletes who have sports related injuries, such as a football player recovering from an hamstring tear, or a softball pitcher with an overuse injury in their shoulder. In addition, a PTA would help a person learn to walk again after having a stroke. Or, teach a child with cerebral palsy how to throw a ball.
PTA’s work with people who’ve injured their bones, joints, or muscles. For example, they teach exercises to a patient with back pain after a work accident, or treat people with sprains or fractures to move and walk better.
Many PTA’s work in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. In addition, home health PTA’s help patients with mobility problems in their homes. Another example, are PTA’s who go to the homes of infants and toddlers with developmental delays to provide therapy.
Physical therapy assistants often interact with a treatment team that might include: physical therapists, occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistants, athletic trainers, physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. Together this team of professionals coordinate care so patient have the best outcomes.
Treatment provided by PTA’s often include the use of heat/cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, stretching, strengthening exercises, and education to help restore patients to the highest level of function, mobility, and wellness.
In conclusion, becoming a PTA is a wonderful career choice for people seeking a good paying job that allows you to be moving all day long. It is ideal for those who enjoy interacting with others because you are with patients most of the day. People who tend to do best as PTA’s enjoy challenges and pay attention to details.
How much does a physical therapy assistant make?
Physical therapy assistants are in high demand and are paid well. The annual wage for a PTA in the United States is $58,790. However, the amount of money a PTA makes is based on work setting and where you live.
For example, PTA’s who work in nursing facilities have an annual wage of $66,840 compared to a salary of $57,520 for PTA’s that work in an outpatient clinic. Similarly, PTA’s in hospitals earned on average $57,140 a year. In addition, home health PTA’s can expect an annual salary of $63,200. Most notably, the upper 10% of PTA’s are earning $80,840 annually.
Location also impacts your salary. For example, PTA’s that work in states such as New Jersey, Texas, California, Connecticut, and Florida make between $65,000-$70,000 a year. Furthermore, PTA’s tend to make more along the East and West coasts. However, there are some exceptions such as states like Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Nevada where most PTA’s make over $60,000 annually.
What is the job outlook for physical therapy assistants?
The job outlook for PTA’s is exciting! For example, the projected job growth for PTA’s in the next 10 years is expected to be 33%. This is nearly four times the job growth of other healthcare professions. This incredible growth is happening because of aging baby boomers, increasing survival rates for newborns, and improving medical care. As a result, 32,200 PTA job openings are expected over the next 10 years.