Physical Therapy Assistant Training Information

Becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) is an excellent career choice for anyone interested in entering the healthcare services industry in a very hands-on type of position, where you will work with people one-on-one every day.

Also called Physiotherapy Assistants, anyone with qualifying physical therapy assistant training will have the important role of assisting a licensed Physical Therapist in treating patients who are suffering from countless types of injuries or disabilities due to illness, or who are otherwise in need of physical therapy. It is a necessary and highly valued profession, with job numbers having almost doubled in the past few years.

What is Involved in the Training?

In the US, in order to become a physical therapy assistant it is generally recommended that individuals enroll in an Associates Degree program that will prepare them for this profession, and also for taking the required exams to receive their PTA.

Currently it is not required that students have an Associates Degree, but the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), as well as a number of other professional groups, indicate that employment is moving toward all PTAs having an Associates Degree, possibly within the next few years.

In order to obtain PTA certification, course work, externships and the passing of the required exam is necessary. Current college curriculum study courses include the following, as well as additional topics as necessary by a specialty area: Anatomy, Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Neuroscience, Clinical Pathology, Kinesiology, Biomechanics and more.

Interestingly, in the UK, which usually seems to have more stringent medical worker requirements than the US, there are no specific requirements in order to become a physiotherapy assistant at basic level other than having passed 4 or more GCSEs.

This base position is less technical however, than its more advanced progression, the assistant practitioner. Assistant practitioners are senior physiotherapy assistants, and generally specialize in a certain area of physiotherapy.

Obtaining a position as an assistant practitioner involves a certain amount of work experience, as well as other qualifications like NVQ III or BTEC diploma or in some cases a higher educational degree. The requirements vary by specialty, which can include radiology, podiatry, nursing, stroke and other medical areas requiring physical therapy.

Employment for Those with training

A physical therapy assistant has the opportunity to work in a variety of positions and facilities dependent on experience and certification (where required).

More medically-oriented positions are available at hospitals, outpatient practices, rehabilitation facilities, hospices and companies that provide home nursing care just to name a few. Additionally, assistants are required at sports training and fitness centers, schools, and even in some industrial working environments if a company provides some of its own, on-site medical and physical therapy care.

The people with which PTAs will work with is dependent on position of course, but in general, PTAs are closely involved with therapy and hands-on treatment that has been prescribed by the licensed physical therapist.

It is the job of the PTA to help patients achieve their therapy goals, whether within a session, a period of treatment, or throughout their lives. PTAs are also many times responsible for discussing all treatments with patients once they have been prescribed, and recording progress, and other recordkeeping.

Salary On Experience

There is a fairly broad range when it comes to salary for people with physical therapy assistant training, largely dependent on certifications, and job duties. In the US, PTAs in various positions and titles earn a low of about $25,000 per year for entry level, non-certified physical therapy aides while certified PTAs earn up to $51,000 per year or more.

In the UK, physiotherapy assistant salaries range between 瞿20,000 and 瞿40,000 per year, depending on years of experience, and whether or not the physiotherapy assistant is qualified and in an assistant practitioner position.

As it is hopefully obvious, it is important that someone desiring a career as a physical therapy assistant enjoy working in close contact with people and have an understanding, agreeable personality.

Individuals should also be strong and fit themselves, at least enough that they can assist other patients, and they should have compassion. With these qualities, as well as the required education and training, becoming a PTA can be an extremely enjoyable and personally satisfying career choice.