Myth: Physical therapy assistant jobs are the same as physical therapy assistant aids. This is a misunderstanding that is common. Physical therapist assistant careers generally mean the individual plans to devote their entire working career to that field but there is a large difference in job duties of an assistant and an aide in this field.
The individual in physical therapist assistant jobs will often work with children and adults on a daily basis helping them through the therapies established by the physical therapist. They encourage patients in rehabilitation programs to work at their routines. Additionally these professionals will observe patients and then make reports on the patient progress to the therapist. In many settings, the assistant is the professional that the patient will see on a day-to-day basis.
A physical therapist aid most times does not actually participate in the treatment phase but instead organizes the office, sets schedules, or helps patients with limited mobility into the treatment areas. This is a job, which requires only a high school diploma in most cases with most of the training being done on the job.
Myth: Physical therapy assistant jobs require a bachelor degree. Most physical therapy assistant jobs require an associate degree with a focus upon life sciences, good math skills, and additionally these individuals should be in good shape physically as this is an active job. Good communication skills are imperative because physical therapy assistant's jobs will require not only giving the patients clear directions but also reporting progress to the physical therapist. Physical therapist assistant careers involve direct patient contact, written and oral communication skills, and patience. Physical therapy assistant schools focus upon not only the classroom courses required for physical therapy assistant jobs but also in giving supervised clinical training where the student works with patients. CPR training is also required in most states.
In most states in order to become certified, licensed or registered and be hired for physical therapy assistant jobs the applicant must be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant school and pass a national physical therapy examination. To maintain licensure or certification in most states also requires the individual acquire continuing education credits.
Myth: Physical therapy assistant's jobs are found only in hospital settings. Physical therapist assistant careers and opportunities can be found in many settings. Although it is most common for physical therapist assistant jobs to be found in long term hospitals, orthopedic care facilities and residential facilities for the elderly, opportunities also exist in sports rehabilitation centers, pain management facilities and even in children's hospital settings. Physical therapy assistant jobs also may involve home visits when employed by private therapy facilities. Additionally physical therapist assistant jobs are found in urban areas however, rural areas may have more opportunities because most physical therapist assistants live in urban communities. Practically that means for the new graduate the jobs in less urbanized areas may be easier to obtain. Competition for these jobs is strong because there are many well-qualified individuals. However, job growth is also predicted to be strong because with physical therapy assistants the physical therapist is able to carry a greater patient load.
Sports medicine, pain management, orthopedic and long term care facilities are just some of the employment settings possible for the qualified professional to start or continue their physical therapist assistant careers.
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