When I was around 21, I discovered that I had tendonitis in my shoulder. Not only did I have tendonitis, but I also had bone spurs and a labrum tear that was not discovered until I was in surgery. Once I was free from my sling, I was put into physical therapy where I met with a physical therapist assistant to start regaining mobility. She was the first person I was in contact with after my surgery and thanks to her, I have almost full mobility in my left arm again.
Median salary: $57,240
Projected growth: 19% by 2032
Physical therapist assistants are supervised by physical therapists, and they help patients regain movement, as well as manage their pain after injuries. Physical therapist assistants observe patients during and after therapy to see what level they are at and report it to the physical therapist. They help treat patients using various therapeutic interventions and record their progress so the physical therapist can keep records of all patients.
The job demand is expected to increase due to the baby boomer generation aging. Those in that generation are entering the age where heart attacks, strokes, and other mobility injuries are common. Thus, the need for physical therapy rehabilitation will rise. There are an expected 24,300 job openings each year, with many of those positions opening due to current physical therapist assistants retiring or switching occupations.
To become a physical therapist assistant, you typically will need an associate degree as well as a license or certification. Subjects covered during the associate program will include anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, and anatomy. While in the associate’s program at South College, some classes you can take include PTA1800 Therapeutic Modalities, PTA1030 Pathology for the PTA, and PTA1500 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology. You will learn about body movement, anatomy and its relation to physical therapy, and so much more. Physical therapist assistants must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam to obtain licensure.
Additional certifications include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS), and other related first-aid skills.
Important skills necessary for the job
Compassion
Detail-oriented
Dexterity
Interpersonal skills
Physical stamina
Where might a physical therapist assistant work
Offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists
Hospitals – state, local, or private
Home healthcare services
Nursing care facilities
Physicians’ offices
For more information, please check out the library’s Physical Therapy Programs guide. Here, you will find free web resources for learning about the body and research, as well as databases and journals the library subscribes to. The guide also has a lot of ebooks you can peruse, such as Acute Care Handbook for Physical Therapists E-Book, which goes over the most current information related to the acute care setting.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, September 6). Physical therapist assistants and aides: Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-1
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