The allied healthcare sector is huge and offers jobs to millions of professionals around the world. If you are interested in joining healthcare but don’t want to study for a decade to become a surgeon or doctor, you can consider allied healthcare roles, one of which is physical therapist assistant. As the name suggests, physical therapist assistants, or PTAs, work under physical therapists and specialize in offering physical therapy, for patients dealing with injuries or diseases. PTAs have a big role to play, when it comes to helping patients directly with aspects like mobility and relief from pain.
To become one, you obviously need to complete an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant degree and follow the necessary requirements (more on that later). Here is an overview of the career profile.
What do PTAs do?
PTAs help physical therapists at clinics, outpatient centers, and hospitals, in offer physical therapy and directed treatments. They also are often responsible for maintaining, managing, updating, and retrieving patient records, and handling paperwork, if asked. These professionals are mostly engaged in outpatient physical therapy clinics and nursing homes, besides working with patients directly at home. PTAs may also work in schools and hospitals.
The work environment
The healthcare sector is a demanding one, and the role of physical therapist assistants can be exhausting at times. However, compared to some of the other professions in allied healthcare, PTAs typically have a standard work routine. However, at some clinics, where patients come after work for physical therapy, PTAs may have odd working hours too. This is a physically demanding job, so you are expected to be fit and in good form.
Expected money
According to available data, physical therapist assistants make around $40,000 on an average, but this may vary considerably with experience and expertise. The demand for PTAs is expected to increase dramatically in years to come, so expect better pay.
Academic Requirements
As an entry-level PTA, you must complete a 2-year accredited program. You will learn about things like anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, neuroscience, and kinesiology, and more. Make sure that you select a college that’s known and has a comprehensive program.
Becoming an PTA may not be as hard, but you can expect to have a career is satisfying to say the least. As you work directly with patients, there is a huge sense of achievement in the job. Check online now to find more on PTA courses and colleges.
