Why I Want to be a Physical Therapist Assistant
Let's talk about job satisfaction. You need to consider several factors if you want to find an enjoyable path, including work environment, schedule, and whether or not you will enjoy your daily responsibilities. What do you enjoy doing?
Is helping others and being there for your friends on top of your list? If yes, then your natural empathy makes you a prime candidate for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree.
Consider Becoming a PTA
Although life as a physical therapist assistant has its own hurdles, there are several reasons why you should consider it.
Opportunity to make a difference
As a physical therapist assistant, you will be working one-on-one with patients while watching them make progress through treatment. There is no better source of joy than knowing that you’re making a difference in other people’s lives. Whether the originating issue was because of an injury or disease, physical therapist assistants help their patients return to maximum function. You will also work with patients to help prevent loss of mobility.
Work flexibility
The physical therapist assistant position is extremely flexible. There are very few paths that will give you the option to choose whether to work per diem or part-time. Do you have plans to travel the world? As a per diem physical therapist assistant you can work for only a few days a month and and travel the rest of the time.
Choose your location and work setting
As a PTA, you could work with patients of all ages all over the country. You might choose from several locations and work settings, including schools, nursing homes, hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, sports and fitness facilities, and home health agencies.
Promote Health and Wellness
Physical therapist assistants work with other health professionals to provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist. As a PTA, you will implement the selected components of patient treatment, acquire data pertaining to the interventions provided, and then make any modifications in the chosen interventions either for the progress of the patient or to ensure the comfort or safety of the patient.
You will also assist the physical therapist in treating patients of different ages, from newborns to senior patients who have medical problems or health-related conditions that hinder them from moving or performing other activities.
Other duties of physical therapist assistants include:
- Assist patients in doing specific exercises that are part of the care plan
- Use devices such as walkers to assist patients
- Use different techniques, such as massage to treat patients
- Educate patients and their families about what they should do after treatment
Importance of Education
To work as a physical therapist assistant, you will need to have an associate degree. An associate degree program typically lasts less than 2 years, depending if you taken accelerated program or a traditional one, to complete all coursework and clinical education.
This combination enables you to link the learned principles to this practice. Some of the courses you will find in PTA programs include algebra, anatomy, English, physiology, and psychology. You could gain hands-on experience by frequently visiting treatment centers as part of an internship or externship.
Are you interested in being a PTA? Do you know the reasons why you want to work with people to help make their lives better after an illness or injury? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting, ECPI University offers this course of study at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a knowledgeable admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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