5 Hard Truths about PTA Programs
As a physical therapy assistant (PTA), you could provide physical therapy services to people with medical issues or health concerns that limit their mobility or independence in their daily lives.
Whether in a hospital, a clinic, or a private practice, you could work with patients to improve their performance in routine daily functions. Your duties may include helping patients with exercises and routine daily activities, collecting data to measure a patient's progress, using special equipment as physical therapy aides, or reporting on a patient's goals.
PTA programs can give you a chance to make a difference in the lives of people in every stage of their life. However, there are many obstacles to becoming a successful physical therapist assistant, and you may want to consider these hard truths before you choose this field of study.
1. You may conduct all of your work under supervision.
Physical therapist assistants administer a wide range of services to their patients, but they never do it on their own. PTAs must always work under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist will not only provide direction, but they are also responsible for your supervision, limiting what tasks you can perform in the health care setting.
2. You must have a degree from an accredited program to take the certification exam.
In most states in the U.S., licensure or certification is required to work as a physical therapist assistant. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, you may only take the licensing exam if you obtain a degree from an accredited program. You'll need a license if you expect to work as a physical therapist assistant in any state (except for Hawaii). When you consider PTA programs, check each individual program against the directory for accredited education programs.
3. You must renew your licensure on a regular basis.
In each state where a physical therapist assistant works, licensure or certification is required and it must be renewed on a regular basis. In addition to this requirement, most states require continuing education credits in order for a practicing physical therapist assistant to renew their licensure. This means your education in physical therapy will be ongoing, and you'll have to make sure you take additional courses throughout the year, even after you attain a degree.
4. On-the-job training won't suffice in lieu of a degree.
In most cases, those who are trained on the job are not eligible to provide physical therapy. Called physical therapy aides or physical therapy technicians, these practitioners do not have the same education as someone with an associate degree, and they are not qualified to administer most physical therapy services.
5. Choosing a specialty may affect your career path.
As a physical therapy assistant, you'll have the opportunity to choose a specialty — an area of practice where you want to develop your knowledge and skills. There are many areas of practice you can choose, including geriatrics, pediatrics, neurology, orthopaedics, sports, and women's health, among others. You can also become certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. When you choose a specialty, you may find yourself working in a specific line of work in physical therapy. If you become too specialized, it may be difficult to return to a more generalized path.
Even considering all of the hard truths about PTA programs, there's good news. Physical therapy assistant work is vital to the changing landscape of health care.
Become a PTA in as few as 18 Months
Are you interested in becoming a physical therapist assistant? Contact ECPI University today for more information about earning an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting. It could be the first step you take toward building a rewarding future. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
Victoria Shiffler, PTA:
— Dr. John Doepper, DC (@drjohndoepper) October 16, 2015
Victoria received her Associate’s in Physical Therapy Assisting in 2014 from ECPI... http://t.co/vXE5gWrqnS
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