Physical Therapist Jobs Are In High Demand

Physical therapist jobs and PTA jobs pay good salaries and provide job security as well as job satisfaction to those who like helping others. The physical therapy assistant performs tasks that are very similar to those tasks performed by physical therapists. Like therapists, assistants perform therapeutic exercises and provide massages to patients with injuries or other limiting conditions. Therapists and their assistants must have a caring attitude.

The assistant's main role is to help the physiotherapist by observing the patients and tracking patient progress and keeping accurate patient logs. The physiotherapist assistant performs clerical duties, orders supplies, and in some cases helps to manage the clinic. The assistant is an integral part of the clinic because he will be called on to help in almost every aspect of the clinic from patient care to administrative duties. The assistant must have a servant's attitude.

Therapists are responsible for developing therapeutic exercises that help patients recover from injuries, surgery, or other physically limiting situations. Therapists work with patients for weeks or even months depending on the patient's medical needs. An assistant can help the patient perform the therapeutic exercises but only under to supervision of a licensed therapist. An assistant has to be ready to help the therapist out in any given area of the clinic.

An aid helps prep the patient for his exercise work and cleans up before and after the exercise session. The aid reports to the physiotherapist the patient's progress and any comments the patient has about his medical condition. The physiotherapist relies heavily on the assistant to provide patient updates, keep the clinic running smoothly, and to facilitate patient exercise sessions.

Choose the right school for physiotherapist assistant training because the right program will open many doors for employment. In order to practice in most states a person who wants to work as a PTA has to complete an associate's degree that is accredited by the licensing board. The curriculum should include biology, medical science, and general education courses related to anatomy.

Most states allow people to work as assistants once they complete their associate's degree. But some states require students to serve an internship in addition to their completing their associate's degree before working as an assistant. Some states require associate degree graduates to pass a state board examination and complete a course in CPR before working as a PTA.

People who work in the medical health care industry earn good salaries but most people go into health care because they want to help others. Do not go into health care primarily to make a good income but instead enter this field for humanitarian reasons. The good income is a residual benefit but the primary satisfaction comes from being able to help people overcome their physical limitations.

Physical therapist jobs and PTA jobs offer job security because there is growing demand for all health care related positions due to the aging population. A career in health care offers job satisfaction to those who like helping others. The physiotherapist relies heavily on the PTA who performs tasks that are very similar to those tasks performed by physical therapists.