Description of a Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistants work under the direction of a Physical Therapist. The assistants use physical treatment to help in the improvement of a person’s mobility and alleviate pain and disability caused by injury or sickness. Physical Therapy

“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

This takes more time and effort from both the patient and the physical therapist assistant. There are patients who will need to adapt to having an artificial limb or being permanently confined to a wheelchair. Patients with these kinds of impairments will be stressed emotionally with the limitations they have with their body; a physical therapist assistant must also help that patient to improve their state of mind. Overall, it’s about helping a patient regain independence as much as possible. Along with the team, a physical therapist assistant will also help with the evaluation of a patient’s condition, “An evaluation can include measuring the patient's strength, range of motion, and functional ability; that is, how well the patient performs certain physical tasks” (Mayo Clinic). Once the evaluation is done, the physical therapist will develop a treatment plan for the patient that the physical therapist assistant has to carry out (Mayo Clinic). When carrying out this treatment plan, the physical therapist assistant must “observe [the patient] before and during therapy, [take note of] their status and [report] to a physical therapist (Bureau of Labor Statistics). If a procedure it a little more complicated both the physical therapist and the assistant will work alongside each other to get the job done. However, most routine visits will be done by the physical therapist assistant alone. They also help patients by teaching them how to use things like canes, braces, walkers,

A physical therapy assistant work in clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, corporate or industrial health centers, private physical therapy offices, community health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, nursing homes, home health agencies, pediatric centers, colleges, and universities. The conditions of such vary by whether they are full-time or part-time. Some clinics, hospitals, etc. have evening and weekend hours. It could get stressful, but have patience. Listen to the patient and take it step by step. Also, knowing what your supervising physical therapist expects out of you may help with the stress. The physical therapy assistant working conditions involve frequent kneeling, stooping and standing for long periods of time. Being physical fit is a major advantage in this field.

A Physical Therapist Assistant is a job occupation that involves assisting a Physical Therapist who helps with the rehabilitation of individuals who have past injuries or are working towards strengthening what they are weak with. They help people get back to their normal self and ready to operate in society normally. The Physical Therapist Assistant mostly helps with the workouts and stretches that patients have to do. They help with impairments, disabilities, and their mobility(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). A Physical Therapist Assistant can work in hospitals, schools, and any average therapy location. There is a lot of information about being a Physical Therapist Assistant including their day to day routine,salary, schooling, and

(David Hayes ,1998). According to the Physical Therapist Assistants (2007), "There were, 238 accredited physical therapist assistant programs in the United States as of 2004. Accredited physical therapist assistant programs are designed to last 2 years, or 4 semesters, and culminate in an associate degree." Programs are divided into academic study and hands-on clinical experience. Academic course work includes algebra, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology. Many programs require that students complete a semester of anatomy and physiology and have certifications in CPR and other first aid even before they begin their clinical field experience. (Physical Therapist Assistants ,2007) Both educators and employers view clinical experience to ensure that students understand the responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant. Employers typically require physical therapist aides to have a high school diploma, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire to assist people in need. Most employers provide clinical on-the-job training.

Every story has a beginning, mine starts in Oak Hill, Ohio. I was born on February 18th, 2000 in Gallipolis, Ohio. I live in Oak Hill, Ohio and go to Oak Hill Middle/High School. I live with both of my parents (Sabrina and Kenneth Burton) and my little sister Amber Burton. My older sister goes to college now and does not live at home with us .I am a really nice, responsible, and hard working person. I have won many awards in both marching band and HS choir. Some of the awards range from the best dancer to one of the most dedicated members. I have not yet finished high school, but it is my senior year. After I graduate I plan on attending Shawnee State University to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).

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

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”).

It was difficult to find the regulations for physical therapy assistants because the information was interspersed in the statutes and rules and in the administrative Code. Much of the law was written more for physical therapist guidance than directed towards the PTA. To apply for an assistant license, the person must be of good moral character, a graduate of an accredited PTA school, pass a board exam, and jurisprudence exam. The license is a certificate and no continuing education is required at this time. The PTA can only practice under the direction of a physical therapist. The assistant cannot evaluate, re-evaluate, discharge, or change a program of a patient and the physical therapist responsible for the patient must be onsite during each treatment. The exception to this rule is in a general supervision capacity. The physical therapist assistant with 2000 hours of supervision in an onsite facility can see a patient independently without onsite supervision (Azsos.gov, n.d.). The physical therapist must be able to communicate with the PTA within 15 minutes, re-evaluate the patient every 4th visit or 30 days whichever comes first and visit the patient the day of communication if needed. There are specific documenting requirements for PTA’s in a general supervision capacity, including documenting the physical therapists name and number, date, intervention and if he PTA consulted with the physical therapist. The

Physical Therapist is citing from website; www.apta.org/aboutpts " physical therapist are highly-educated licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility.

The change agent experience that I chose to write about was an experience or revelation that I had towards the end of this semester. At Nebraska Methodist College I was enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program, and for a while, I thought it was the right thing for me; however, as time went on I realized that it wasn't the right fit for me.

On the other hand, to just become a physical therapy assistant, all that is required is graduation from a physical therapist program and passing a national or state exam. When it comes to physical therapists’ salaries, it depends on a lot on of factors, like their job location, how much experience they have and their employer. “A Physical Therapist evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients with disorders that limit their abilities to move or function normally in daily life. This career may be a good fit for people who have good interpersonal skills & desire to help others with their physical limitations” (Study.com). For an individual to make more money as a physical therapist, they would have to get the highest level of education and then work their way up promotions and become program director or a clinic manager. It varies on what the highest position there is at their place of employment. For physical therapy assistants the national average median salary was about $45,650 annually.

Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather then by drug or surgery. Physical therapist are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who help patients reduce the pain they have and help improve or restore their mobility. PTs work in many different setting including high schools, hospitals, outpatient Clinique, etc. To become a physical therapist I'll need a graduate degree- either a masters or clinical doctorate - from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure exam. There is currently 199 colleges and universities nationwide that support 212 accredited professions physical therapy programs.

The educational requirements to become a physical therapist include: specific prerequisite classes, a Bachelor’s Degree, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Some of the prerequisite classes are Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. It is also very helpful to have volunteer or observation experience. Once becoming a therapist, one is still