A physical therapist's assistant treats patients with limited ability to move or perform daily activities, such as walking and driving. Working under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, PTAs employ methods such as exercises, electrical stimulation and massage. They do their work in many locations, including hospitals, nursing homes, sports facilities and patients' homes. Physical therapist assistants must complete a two-year associate degree program and pass exams for state licensing. Show
AccreditationPhysical therapist assistant programs are accredited by the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, or CAPTE. You must graduate from an accredited program to qualify to take the national PTA licensing exam, required in most states. CAPTE accreditation also assures you that your classes meet national standards and that you will be qualified to work when you graduate, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. The APTA website maintains a search function for accredited PTA programs. Program BasicsAn entry-level job as physical therapist assistant requires an associate degree in physical therapist assisting, consisting of approximately 60 semester units. Programs take two years or five semesters, including time for required clinical practice. The curriculum includes general academic classes, such as English, math, social sciences and communication. Some of the professional courses are physical therapy assisting, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, exercise physiology and clinical pathology. Lab and Clinical WorkAccording to APTA, students spend 75 percent of their time in class and lab work combined and the remaining time in clinical work. For example, in the San Diego Mesa College associate degree program, PTA students take two labs in physical therapy techniques and one lab in rehabilitation. They also must complete two sections of directed clinical practice in health care facilities. According to APTA, the clinical practice for an associate degree in physical therapy assisting takes 16 weeks on average. Examination and LicensingIn most states, you can't work as a physical therapist assistant until you obtain a state license. The laws vary, but usually you must complete an accredited degree program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants. However, some states have their own exam, and some require both national and state exams. Some state boards also require continuing education units to keep your license active. Find state board contact information on the website of The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Career FactsAdvances in technology and an U.S. aging population will greatly increase the demand for physical therapist assistants in coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of PTA jobs to increase by 46 percent between 2010 and 2020, compared with 14 percent for the average job. As of 2012, the average annual income of physical therapist assistants was $52,320, according to the BLS. A physical therapist assistant works under physical therapists to help patients increase mobility and manage pain. The career has a median pay of $49,970 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The career is also projected to grow 29% from 2019-2029, or much faster than average, making this a promising career. Further, a traditional bachelor's degree costs $27,000 a year, and a physical therapist assistant typically only needs an associate degree, costing $3,700 a year on average. That's half the schooling and a fraction of the cost of seeking a bachelor's degree. Read on to learn how to become a physical therapist assistant. What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?Physical Therapist Assistant Career Basics Physical therapist assistants help patients with injuries or illnesses regain movement and reduce or manage pain. These professionals help patients do specific exercises that are part of the patient's care plan. They also perform tasks like massages, gait and balance training, and stretching to help patients. Physical therapist assistants might also use tools like walkers to help patients. How to Become a Physical Therapist AssistantStep 1 Find an accredited physical therapist assistant program. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredited nearly 390 postsecondary programs in 2020, which typically last about two years and award an associate degree. Associate degrees cost just over $3,700 a year on average. Step 2 Pass your state's licensure exam. Most states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed. Your state offers the exam you must take to get certified, and the cost varies depending on where you live. Step 3 Gain clinical experience. PTAs should obtain clinical experience working directly with patients to strengthen the skills they learned in school and gain new insight into the field by working closely with licensed physical therapists. You may gain experience through clinical hours, an internship, or on the job. Step 4 Obtain additional certifications. Depending upon your desired specialty, you can pursue additional credentials or certifications, such as:
For many specialty certifications, PTAs must complete at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice to meet eligibility requirements. Specialty exams administered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialistsmeasure a candidate's knowledge of the advanced skills. Fees may vary, but often cost in the hundreds of dollars for exam application fees. Physical Therapist Assistant Salaries and Job GrowthData from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Projections Central, a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored website. Top 10 States With the Highest Job Growth
Career Paths for Physical Therapist AssistantsPhysical therapist aides do more of the support work. They may clean treatment areas, set up physical therapy equipment, wash linens, help patients ambulate, and do clerical tasks in the office. The median annual wage for physical therapist aides is $28,450, as reported by the BLS. These professionals usually just need a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Unlike aides, these professionals have a more hands-on approach with patient care, performing some of the actual stretching and movement exercises, along with other treatments like massage. They need an associate degree covering physical therapy assisting and have to be certified. The physical therapist is in charge of the patient's care plan. They may diagnose function and movements, develop an individualized care plan, evaluate records, and educate family and patients. These professionals need graduate-level training after taking a bachelor's degree in the healthcare or fitness fields. They also need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited program, which can take three years. Physicians diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. Physicians need a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from a medical school, which can take an additional four years on top of the bachelor's degree. Doctors also need to complete internships and residency programs, which can take between 3-9 years. Becoming a physician is a major undertaking that puts you at the top of the medical field. FAQ on Earning Your Physical Therapist Assistant Degree or CertificationGetting an education and earning licensure aren't the only things aspiring physical therapist assistants need to know. Below are five frequently asked questions on how to become a physical therapist assistant. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education. Licensed physical therapist assistants should check with their state board of physical therapy for continuing education requirements in their home state. In addition to continuing education credits, PTAs can also attend conferences and complete additional certifications. Education and scope of responsibilities are the primary factors that separate the two jobs. Physical therapist assistants have completed an accredited college degree program and passed the required national licensure exam, while physical therapy aides only need a high school diploma or GED. PT aides typically gain experience on the job, and their duties are restricted since they don't have the same scope of education as physical therapist assistants. PT aides also make much less than physical therapist assistants. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certifies physical therapists in specialties like:
These board-certified specialists often enlist physical therapy assistants in their duties. Physical therapist assistants skilled in these specialty fields often command higher wages than their peers who lack specialized training. Candidates should contact the physical therapy board in their home state to determine eligibility requirements for the National Physical Therapy Exam. The American Physical Therapy Association provides great insight into the examination process. Each section of the five-part computer-administered exam has 50 questions, but only 200 are scored. Scores range from 200 to 800, and candidates must score a 600 or higher to pass the exam. In 2020, 83% of first-time candidates who graduated from accredited physical therapy programs passed the exam. Licensure is valid for two years. Related Career OptionsIf you're determined to enter the medical field, but you're not sure which career path to take, check out our list of the best jobs in the medical field. Here are some other medical jobs with low educational requirements: Certified Nursing AssistantThese professionals assist in the direct nursing care of patients, usually helping with activities of daily living. Dental AssistantDental assistants help with patient care, x-rays, recordkeeping, and scheduling. Latest PostsIs PT assistant worth it?One of the top pros of being a physical therapist assistant is that you can quite literally make a pretty good living. The average annual salary for PTAs is $59,440, and you might be able to bump that number up even more by working overtime during certain times of the year.
How much does a PTA make in Florida?How much does a PTA make in Florida? As of Oct 2, 2022, the average annual pay for a PTA in Florida is $55,727 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $26.79 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,071/week or $4,643/month.
How much do PTA Make in Texas?How much does a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant make in Texas? The average Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Texas is $61,694 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $56,151 and $67,579.
What kind of PTAs make the most money?The top paying industry for PTA jobs is in nursing care facilities. There, you can expect to make, $64,030 on average. The lowest paying industry is in a physician's office, where you'll earn $52,210.
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How much schooling does a physical therapist assistant need
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