An on-campus or online degree in physical therapy will help prepare you for a career as a physical therapist assistant. An associate’s degree in the field is necessary because for most states, it’s a requirement to practice being a physical therapist assistant.
Related Physical Therapist Assistant Programs
What does a physical therapist assistant do?
The responsibilities of physical therapist assistants are to help physical therapists provide treatment to improve the mobility of patients. Working under the supervision of a physical therapist (PT), the assistant will help patients exercise, will help gather and prepare therapy equipment and provide related care as needed.
Patients can include accident victims and people with disabilities caused by lower back pain, heart disease and cerebral palsy among others.
Again, under the management of the PT, assistants provide instruction, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, ultrasound massage and balance training. A physical therapist assistant duties also include the recording of patient responses to treatment and reporting the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.
Some strength and agility is needed for this job because of the physical exertion required to assist patients with their treatment.
What kind of education does a physical therapist assistant need?
Since most states require a physical therapist assistant to hold an associate’s degree, you’ll need to enroll in an accredited program. The academic coursework includes classes in algebra, anatomy, physiology and psychology.
When you get to the clinical phase, you will receive certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and have other field experience. It’s the clinical experience that employers view as essential to understanding the responsibilities of being a physical therapy assistant.
Note: Most states regulate physical therapist assistants through licensure, certification or registration. Plus, many states require continuing education credits for therapist assistants to maintain their license.
How much does a physical therapist assistant earn?
Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that median annual salaries for physical therapist assistants are at around $46,140.
Where can a physical therapist assistant work?
While a physical therapist assistant can work with PT’s in a variety of settings, about 72% of their work is done in either hospitals or other healthcare practitioners office