American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Core Didactic Courses Course Number/Name Workload Semester/Year Taught DPT 776: Physical Therapy Management of Complex Conditions V *served as co-course coordinator 2-4 Fall 2013. Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016 DPT 662: Interactions I- Patient-Practitioner Interactions *served as course coordinator 3-6 Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017 DPT 638: Lifespan Development *served as co-course coordinator 2 Summer 2014, Summer 2015, Summer 2016 Core Clinical Supervision Courses DPT 886:

Reading from the article-“Celebrating a Milestone-35 years of PTAs” published by Michele Wojciechowski on 1 Feb. 2004, I feel proud that I am now in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program. The author has outlined several timelines of achieving status in American Physical Therapy Association and National Assembly also, how PTAs achieved their own value. Even after passionate 2 year associate program, I am disappointed to see that PTA program is no longer a stepping stone for Physical Therapist (PT) program.

On 9/28/17 I spoke with C. Weaver physical therapy. The physical therapist advised that they do not offer occupational therapy just physical therapy. They also are not equipped to do more than one body part at a time. In reviewing the records and the FCE I had supplied them they determined she is not in the best location. They recommend Hope Network. I have contacted Hope Network and confirmed that this would be a more appropriate location for the 5 days a week therapy she needs and what the FCE had suggested. I have contacted Dr. VanderJagt’s office and requested an order for the therapy.

Hello Jhoanna! Thank you for sharing this post. Your previous experience speaks for many of us who were once in the same boat and unaware of the standards of practice in the US and ethical complexity involved in our profession.

A Physical Therapist Assistant is someone who carries out task under a Physical Therapist. Physical Therapist assistants help patients regain their mobility, relieve pain, and lessen physical disabilities. There are many reasons why I want to become a Physical Therapist Assistant, but three truly explain why becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant is for me. I have implemented a non-profit organization that helps children cope with disabilities that relate to many different aspects of their lives, I have experienced what physical therapy is like and I know how I can make it more enjoyable for patients, and my passion for working with others to help them live a healthy and happy life.

To become a physical therapist assistant, I would need to complete school to gain my associate’s

If you look at any company or organization, you are bound to find a list of values, things that others view as positive qualities in a person. These could be things such as honesty, knowledge, diligence, and compassion. Values set up a foundation for the organization, something for their employees to follow and exemplify in their service to the general public. Employees can use their organization’s values to see what their strengths are and where they need to improve. Values also provide a reference point when hiring new employees, helping employers to see which individuals are already living the organization’s values. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has such a list of values, which they refer to as ‘Core Values’. These are Accountability, Altruism, Compassion/Caring, Excellence, Integrity, Professional Duty, and Social Responsibility. It is important for me, as a future Physical Therapist Assistant, to look at the APTA’s Core Values and see where my strengths and weaknesses lie.

“Advancement prospects are excellent for Physical Therapy Assistants. Individuals can advance their career by becoming full-fledged physical therapists” (“Physical Therapy Assistant”) so it’s simple as that the advancement is just becoming a physical therapist. A physical therapist is pretty much the highest level in that specific area in the medical field they do everything for patients and the assistants just reinforce what their orders are. There are some extra things necessary to become a physical therapist though “in order to climb the career ladder, however, the Physical Therapy Assistant must take additional training. This usually includes at least another two years of schooling in an institution that has an accredited program in physical therapy” (“Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist’s earnings are good and very high. On average Physical Therapist has a salary of $82,180 in 2013 they are well paid. (“Physical Therapist: Salary.”) Also, Physical Therapist that live in the Metropolitan areas of Laredo, Texas: Los Vegas: and Brownsville, Texas are paid a magnitude of money. (“Physical Therapist: Salary.”) Finally, ‘”Being a Physical Therapist is very rewarding. They work with Patients one-on-one, see them progress through treatment, and know that they are really making a difference in their lives,” said APTA spokesperson Merideth Harris, PT, DPT, EdD,’ (“Benefits of a Physical Therapist Career.”) A Physical Therapist is paid very well, and has high

Physical therapy assistant’s help patients recuperate from injury, regain movement, cope with pain and encourage wellness by assisting a physical therapist. They assist in providing therapy for patients through exercise, massage, stretching, gait and stability training, and with the use of therapeutic modalities, such as ultrasound. They also instruct patients’ families on how they may help their loved one at home. Physical therapy assistants monitor patients during therapy and report their status and development to a physical therapist. Physical therapy assistants work under direct supervision of physical therapists and carry out plan of treatments set by the physical therapist. (Summary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-2)

Career Issue Research There are many different career options out there, and as a high school student it might be hard to realize what you want to do with the rest of your life. When I decided to become a physical therapy assistant, it seemed like my life got easier by wanting to know what I was going to continue studying. All PTA’s are under supervision by a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist sets the plan and goals of the patient to help them get better while the PTA follows the plan and helps the patient with those steps. (“A Day in the Life of a Physical Therapist Assistant”).

Physical Therapy programs are presented as a master’s (MPT, MSPT, MS) or doctoral (DPT) degree from an accredited physical therapy program. In order to be admitted to a DPT, MPT, MSPT, or MS program you have to first either completely obtain, or have been working at least three years closer to an undergraduate baccalaureate accredited

The day-to-day writing in the field of Physical Therapy varies depending on the audience. The audience determines the purpose of the writing and writing style. Physical Therapists (PT) use evidence-based exercises and activities to rehabilitate their patients in order for them to reach their unique goal. Since PT’s work with both medical professionals and patients, they must adjust their writing to be able to communicate effectively. PT’s are just one of the many people in the medical field that may work with a particular patient so it is important that the communication between the different layers of the medical field are precise and clear. Writing to a patient is also important because they are the person who is being directly affected

“ Physical therapists started their own profession association in 1921” (APTA History). The association, also known as the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association, was started by Mary McMillan who was the president. In 1922 she helped a committee vote to allow men to be part of the association, which caused the name to change to American Physiotherapy Association. The number of physical therapist grew in demand once World War II and Poli came into action. As the demand for physical therapist increased, the education grew across America as it went from 16 programs to 39 according to APTA. The name of the program changed again in 1940 to what it is now called, the American Physical Therapy Association. The association today is focusing on improving education, practice and research that can be used to improve the daily lives of the elderly, adults, and children according to APTA.

The major representative organization of physical therapy professionals and students is the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and there are more 90,000 members of APTA.