Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs

Therapeutic exercises, stretching, balance and gait training, massage, ultrasound or electrical stimulation treatments and instruction using adaptive equipment.

Jul 19, 2006 Kathy Quan

Physical therapy assistants are also known as PTAs. They are licensed health care professionals who assist the physical therapist in the health care setting.

Duties of the PTA

Physical therapy assistants work in a rehab setting under the supervision of a PT (physical therapist) to assist the patient with therapeutic exercises such as range of motion, stretching and balance and gait training. They can provide massage and ultrasound or electrical stimulation treatments as directed by the PT.

PTAs also provide patient instruction in adaptive equipment and assistive device training with canes, crutches and walkers.

The physical therapy assistant evaluates and documents the patient's progression or regression and reports to the PT.

This field is expected to be one of the fastest growing professions over the next decade.

Education

Physical therapy assistants receive an associate degree from an accredited community college or vocational school. This includes both classroom and clinical hands-on instruction as well as general education courses. For information on accredited PTA schools see the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Salary

According to the Us. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the reported salary range in 2004 was $24,000 to $52,000.

Licensing

After completing an accredited AA degree program, the PTA must pass a state licensing exam. For more information contact the American Physical Therapy Association.

The copyright of the article Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs in Health Field is owned by Kathy Quan . Permission to republish Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Comments

Aug 14, 2006 5:42 PM

Lynn Moore :

I know that quite a few physcial therapy assistants work in special education programs in the schools. I was wondering where else they might work?
Lynn
Special Needs Parenting

Aug 15, 2006 12:02 PM

Kathy Quan :

In addition to working in schools, PTA's work in traditional physical therapy settings such as hospitals, clinics and physical therapy offices. They also work in home health care settings.
Hope this is helpful.

2 Comments