5.5 Physical Therapy Assistant
Karen Piette, MHS, CMA and Kristen Hosey
The goal for physical therapy assistants (PTAs) is to improve the quality of life for individuals and patients. This includes working with people of all ages to help them recover from serious injuries and manage chronic conditions such as arthritis. They also assist in post-surgery rehabilitation and help people avoid surgery by promoting healthy habits.
PTAs are educated and licensed clinicians that provide care under the supervision of a graduate-prepared physical therapist (PT). The PTA’s job is to help the PT implement patient care, making a team-based approach vital. PTAs may collaborate with the PT to modify a patient’s care or assist other therapists in implementing interventions with the patient.
PTAs assist patients in regaining their range of motion following an injury, improving movement and quality of life, and managing pain. Neuromuscular rehabilitation following injury and stroke rehabilitation are common in physical therapy settings.
PTAs often utilize equipment such as resistance bands and exercise balls when working with patients. They may provide exercises, use manual therapy and manipulation, and apply hot, cold, or electricity during a patient’s visit. PTAs also educate patients on fitness and injury prevention, including postural education, and provide suggestions to improve a patient’s ergonomics.
Employment Opportunities for Physical Therapist Assistants
PTAs find employment working under the supervision of a PT in settings such as hospitals, private physical therapy practices, or within a group of physical therapy providers. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA, 2024), approximately 72% of PTAs work in hospitals and private physical therapy practices, while others are employed in school districts, rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and home health.
PTAs can also work in pediatric rehabilitation settings. They assist in the rehabilitation of neuromuscular diseases that result in muscle weakness, nerve damage, and seizures. Orthopedic issues that arise before or after birth, as well as bone, joint, or muscular irregularities in children, can also be treated in these settings.
Being a PTA is an active job that often involves helping patients strengthen muscles, improve balance, and complete stretches and exercises to improve range of motion and mobility. To be a PTA, you will need physical stamina to support patients as they perform exercises under the supervision of a PT. This may even include working with patients in pools or other bodies of water.
Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements and Qualifications
Many PTA programs require prerequisite courses prior to entry, such as anatomy and physiology, English composition, communication, and math. These programs can be competitive, and submitting an application is typically required.
The PTA degree is an associate degree program that usually takes about 2 years to complete. Coursework includes applied anatomy, ethics, kinesiology, pathophysiology. At the end of the second year, students attend a clinical affiliation internship at a physical therapy office or hospital. Attending a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is required. Some students may choose to take online programs that are not accredited, but they may have difficulty finding employment. Some community colleges offer part-time PTA programs, which may take longer to complete.
After completion of the associate degree, PTA candidates can sit for the licensure examination. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) offers an exam for these candidates to become licensed PTAs. Following licensure, PTAs must continue their education and engage in lifelong learning to maintain state certifications.
Attributions
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