Physical treatment specialists help people to gain the use of their body for movement and bring the parts of the body back to a level that it operates properly. A physical therapist can eliminate the possibility of permanent damage and bring a person's health back to a higher level. The visitors of offices who specialize in this are individuals who have or have had broken bones, strokes, or injuries to the head.
Just like a physical therapist, an assistant also determines a person's physical performance level, the ability to move properly, and capabilities, and help to find a course of action. A physical therapy assistant also documents patients' progress. They work with other professionals like nurses and doctors from other offices and hospital workers.
There are several requirements in order to have a successful career in this industry. It will require determination and willpower to fulfill all of the requirements.
An associate's degree from an accredited college or school is required to pursue a career. Licensing must be done in many states to practice legally. Courses that should be taken in college and high school should include math, biology, chemistry, and physics. Additional courses that are related to the industry should be included as well. Some of the courses to enroll in are sociology, psychology, anatomy, physical therapy administration, physiology, and biology.
A physical therapist must be able to communicate well with people who work in the same office as well as the patients. Being respectful to other professionals whom you will communicate with is important. Having patience and showing the patients you care is a valuable skill to have. Good writing skills are beneficial to provide information to the client and to the physical therapist you will be working with. Just like a physical therapist, an assistant will also report the progress of the person being served.
Being organized is an important virtue in this field especially since there are many files to work with related to patients. Understand a patient's needs are also important as people learn in different ways and at a different pace than others. Wanting to help people is also a good trait.
A physical therapy assistant professional receives training on the job. The best method of gaining experience and training is to perform volunteer work at hospitals, local nursing homes, local mental institutions, or doctors' offices.
A study done in 2006 showed that 107,000 people had jobs in this field. The people worked at nursing homes, patients' homes, hospitals, their own private practice, outpatient services, and doctors' offices. Adult day care centers were also included in the study. Some professional physical therapy consultants also worked in schools and laboratories that conduct research.
The physical therapy industry is expected grow at an attractive rate due to the number of people who need the service. A majority of the increase will be amongst the elderly and the need for improved methods of performing services to the growing population with disabilities. Physical therapy consultants are required to help children who have birth defects survive.
Opportunities are available for the physical therapists to find employment but the competition is high as there are many competent, qualified individuals on the market for jobs. Growth will be attributed to the need to replace individuals who leave the career.
The profession is expected to grow at a rate of 29%. From 2006 to 2016, the number of people employed in physical therapy will jump from 107,000 to 137,000 people.
In 2006, the average yearly income was $41,000. The center half had an income that ranged from $33,000 to $49,000. The lowest and highest salaries respectively were $26,000 and $57,000. Assistants who provided service in the homes of patients earned $46,000, and nursing care assistants earned $44,000 per year. Those who worked in physical therapy centers and hospitals earned approximately $40,000. Assistants who worked at doctors offices earned approximately $39,000. Home health care is the best place to work related to the income level.
Physical therapy is a rewarding and high paying field that allows an individual to provide life saving services. Both the professional and the patient benefit from services of this nature. Since it is a growing field jobs are available in many medical facilities.
