Obtaining A Physical Therapist Assistant's Degree

The article that I chose was published by Mayo Clinic School of Health Science, the title of the article is “Physical Therapy”. The article informs the reader on the roles, goals, as well as the overall definition of a physical therapist. According to the article, “Physical therapists (PTs) work with patients who have impairments, limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes.” Therefore, a physical therapist works directly with the population that has a form of impairment in their movement, whether it is from an injury or an illness. The roles of a physical therapist are examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis

“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

Many states require physical assistant therapists to obtain an associate's degree from a credited physical therapist program. Furthermore, most states require

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.

(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.

A physical therapy assistant needs to have a high school diploma or certification that is equivalent. They also need to take courses in science and mathematics in high school. The prospective physical therapy assistant then goes on to get an associate degree in an accredited program for physical therapy assistants. Accreditation of these

As a PTA I have been given a breath of knowledge in regard to the profession of physical therapy. However, I am not satisfied with this breath of knowledge. I yearn for the opportunity to gain a further understanding in terms of “how and why” physical therapy is successful at restoring function to individuals seeking

What education and other professional skills are required for this job, as a Physical Therapy Assistant?

Imagine that you have torn your ACL, or your anterior crucial element ligament. An athletic trainer will help you until a doctor can be seen for X-rays. A surgeon will repair the injury. An anesthesiologist will keep you pain free throughout a procedure. After this, somebody is needed to assist in improving movement. That is what a physical therapist is for. Physical therapists, or PTs, are a crucial part of rehabilitation, treatment and prevention for patients with physical ailments. Individualized programs are developed by PTs that may follow a doctor’s referral, as well as a patient’s concerns and physical evaluation. Treatment plans can be made for individuals with sprained ankles to arthritis to neurological disorders. Physical therapy varies from patient to patient, as no two injuries are exactly the same, but the goal is always the same: a completely recovered patient.

Physical therapists provide the service of the helping of restoring muscular or nerve damage upon a living organism. They improve the functions of mobility, help relieve pain, and prevent permanent physical damage of patients with injuries or disease. Fitness and health are key to helping patients get through physical therapy. Patient problems vary from physical disabilities such as car accidents to nerve damage like arthritis. Physical therapists, or also known as PT’s, start off by viewing the patients medical history, then they test the patients strength, range of motion, posture, balance and coordination, respiration, muscle performance,

Physical therapists are members of a health care team, specially trained to improve movement and flinction, relieve pain, and expand movement potential. Through evaluation and individualized treatment programs, physical therapists can both treat existing problems and provide preventive health care for people with a variety of needs (Physical Therapy-Improving 1). Physical therapists are very knowledgeable and skillful concerning the human body. Physical therapy is a complex, but rewarding field to pursue as a career. Specialization, working conditions, job outlook, salaries, and education requirements need to be taken into consideration when contemplating a career as a physical therapist.

If anybody believes that becoming a PT is effortless, they had better think again! First, you must achieve your DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree. This process typically takes three years. Only a select few programs will accept students straight from high school into an admissions program. Depending on the student’s completion of undergraduate courses, they may automatically advance into the professional phase of the PT program. Most programs demand a bachelor's degree prior to admission into the professional PT program. Other programs require a set of two-three year curricular formats. Three years dedicated to pre-professional (undergraduates/pre-PT), the student then advances to the three year professional program (DPT). Initial content

To become a physical therapist one would have to get a doctoral or professional degree in college. This means he or she would go to college for at least six years for this degree. Most will go longer with requirements of practice in clinicals and PT school to become a physical therapist. The median pay for a physical therapist is $84,020. I at least know now that this job pays well, and I can also find a job about anywhere in the U.S. Places that a physical therapist would work at are hospitals, private offices, clinics,or nursing homes.("Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016.) Furthermore, one benefit about being a physical therapist is that one has flexibility with their job. PT’s have many clients and would be doing different workouts with each client to help them heal their injuries. I have learned that I will have to know a lot about the body structure and movements to know what to strengthen and regin the mobility where the person is weak. Physical therapists also help athletes that come in to get help with getting faster, stronger,and physically fit. I would have the ability to come up with workout plans to benefit these athletes since part of being a physical therapist is re-strengthening bones, muscles, and tendons. The outlook for a physical therapist is excellent as there are many jobs out across the U.S. to become one since there will always be a need for one. After doing more research, I discovered a second option as

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

Physical Therapy is the treatment a person needs to assist in problems with the body. Physical Therapy is a broad medical field that specializes in providing help to heal a person. Physical therapy is the type of treatment a person may need when there are injuries to the body, or when physical harm has occurred. Physical Therapy is a medical field that covers the mobility of the body. Physical Therapy is involved with many parts of the body. It is the treatment a patient seeks when assistance is needed to recover from an injury or illness that has affected the body.