Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant in Uniform Scrubs

Physical therapist assistants (PTA's) work under the direction of physical therapists to provide patients' treatment to improve their mobility, relieve their pain, and lessen or prevent physical debilities. These patients may be accident victims, or have disabling conditions such as arthritis, lower back pain, heart disease, head injuries, fractures, or cerebral palsy. PTA's in uniform scrubs prepare therapy equipment and help patients to exercise and to learn to use crutches and other devices, and apply therapeutic techniques such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, mechanical traction, balance and gait training, and massage. It is the responsibility of PTA's to record patients' responses to the treatment, and to report on outcomes to the directing physical therapist. Besides clinical tasks, the responsibilities of PTA's include keeping the treatment area organized and clean, and preparing for incoming patients' therapies. If patients require assistance in moving, PTA's help in transporting them. In states where PTA's are not licensed, they are not permitted to perform the specialized clinical duties of licensed PTA's in those states which require licensure. PTA's also perform office tasks such as answering the phone, ordering supplies, filling out insurance forms, and doing other paperwork. PTA's should be caring, detail-oriented, and well-organized with good people skills and a desire to help people. They must be able to work in a team situation and to take direction.

Because the job of physical therapist assistant requires kneeling, bending, stooping, and standing for long periods as well as helping to lift patients, a moderate degree of strength is required. Becoming a PTA in uniforms and scrubs requires at a minimum a high school diploma, but the majority of PTA's have an associate degree issued by an accredited PTA program, and they are then trained on the job. In states which license PTA's, an associate degree is required. There are well over two hundred accredited PTA programs in the U.S., which typically require two years to complete. These programs include both academic course work, as well as hands-on clinical experience. The academic portion includes algebra, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and English. The clinical portion includes certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and experience working in physical therapy treatment centers.

Licensure is not always required, however many states do regulate PTA's through certification and licensure. These states require physical therapy assistants to graduate from an accredited physical therapy assistant program and then pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. Some states also require candidates to pass state certification examinations. Many states further require PTA's to continue their education to maintain their licensure. Complete information is available from the licensing board of the state. Physical therapist assistants in Urbane scrubs can advance and become therapist assistants or physical therapists after they have gained experience and completed an accredited educational program. Specialties include pediatrics, geriatrics, and specialized skills in musculoskeletal, integumentary, neuromuscular, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. PTA's can also advance in administrative positions, or pursue careers in teaching accredited PTA academic programs. The employment outlook for PTA's is excellent: there were over 100,000 PTA's in the U.S. in 2008, with about three-quarters working in hospitals or the offices of healthcare practitioners. Others worked in outpatient care centers, nursing care facilities, and home healthcare services.