physical therapy assistant schools: your substitute for a work in patient care

8/2/2019 Physical Therapy Assistant Schools: Your Substitute For A Work In Patient Care

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Physical Therapy School to Have a Vigorous Workplace and aRewarding Career

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Physical Therapy Schools Pave the Way for a Rewarding Career - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

Physical Therapy Assistant Schools: Your Alternative to a Career in Patient Care - - - - - - - - 4

What to Look for in a Physical Therapy School - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5

Physical Therapist Schools: Career Development Begins Here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6

Get a Promising Career at Accredited PT Schools - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7

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Physical Therapy Schools Pave the Way for a Rewarding Career

Not everyone is blessed with the certainty of knowing

his career path. You might be one of many who

struggled with picking the right course in college.

Maybe you decided to be practical and chose a course

that promised a secure job in the future.

Unfortunately, the job market today isnt as stable as it

was a decade ago. With the recent downturn in the

economy, perhaps you, along with many other people,

are attempting to shift to a better-paying job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the

demand for physical therapists is projected to grow by

27 percent until the year 2016. Explore the possibilities

of a lucrative new career withphysical therapy schools

today.

Healing People of All Ages

What has prompted this increase in demand? Forbes.Com reports that the need for more physical

therapists is due to the fact that the American population has gotten older. With advanced age come

chronic conditions that require physical therapy. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) says

that physical therapy not only restores strength, range of motion, coordination, and flexibility but also

reduces chronic pain. For a majority of old people, the freedom of being able to perform simple daily

tasks are a great contributor to an improved quality of life. As a therapist, you will have a hand in that.

Physical therapy helps the elderly recuperate from strokes and cope with arthritis, incontinence,

osteoporosis, cancer pain, and a variety of other age-related conditions. But this treatment isnt solely

reserved for old people. As a physical therapist, youll also treat patients who either suffer from a

debilitating and chronic condition (like multiple sclerosis), or help people recover from a serious injurysustained in an accident.

Studying and Training

To qualify for the profession, you need to acquire a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Majority of the

programs offered across the United States will take up three years, if you study full time. A part-time

commitment will take about four to five years. There are many reputablephysical therapy schools to

choose but there also are plenty of reputable

universities that offer undergraduate physical

therapy.

The U.S. News released a list of top rankinguniversities that carry some of the countrys best

physical therapy programs in 2009. The University

of Southern California received top ranking, while

the University of Pittsburgh and Washington

University in St. Louis both vied for second place.

Other schools included in the list were the

University of Iowa, which has a graduate program
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in physical therapy and Rehabilitation Science;

Baylor University (US Army), which offers advanced

studies with its doctoral physical therapy program;

the New York University, and the MGH Institute of

Health Professionals in Boston.

As a student, youll learn and master anatomy,

exercise physiology, neuroscience, biomechanics

and a range of other science-related subjects. The

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy

Education requires a minimum of 30 weeks in full-

time clinical education, which means you or the

university youve chosen need to arrange hands-on training with actual patients. After completing the

course, youll need to take a qualifying test to acquire a license to practice.

Physical therapy is emotionally draining work. It requires patience, dedication, and an altruistic sense of

concern for other people. Physical therapy schools will provide you with the required skills and

competencies you need to make it as a therapist. The patience, dedication, and concern for others,however, will still have to be nurtured by you.

Physical Therapy Assistant Schools: Your Alternative to a Career in Patient Care

Helping people is a calling. It requires an enormous amount of commitment and boundless capacity for

compassion. There are many ways you can make a difference in someones life. The most considerable

impact you can make is by greatly improving someone elses quality of life. Physical therapy assistant

schoolsoffer you an incredible opportunity to do just that.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that around 63,800 jobs were available for physical therapy

assistants in 2008 while 2010 saw 65,960 jobs open. The reported average income is projected at

$49,810. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) describes the role of the physical therapy

assistant as being part of a team that provides physical therapy services under the direction and

supervision of the physical therapist. APTA is the governing body that

maintains a level of standard in physical therapy schools to ensure

that students acquire the very best level of education that qualifies

them to treat all patients safely and properly.

Physical therapists diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and

enhance physical and functional abilities. They restore and maintain

optimal health for people of various ages. As an assistant, you are

then required to have the proper competencies related to theresponsibilities of the therapist.

Most undergrad students in physical therapy who dont go on to study

post-baccalaureate programs ultimately have the physical therapy

assistant job to fall back on. If your goal is to become an assistant,

there is a specialized program you can take.

You will need to obtain a Commission on Accreditation in Physical
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Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited two-year

associate degree. This will not only provide you with

the basic knowledge and skills you need in order to

qualify as a physical therapy assistant, but will also

allow you to take the national exam. Youll be

required by most states to pass a licensure test before

you are able to practice with a physical therapist.

Currently, Colorado and Hawaii are the only two

states that allow physical therapy assistants to work

even without a license.

The associate degree program is comprised of

physical therapy courses, clinical education, and

general education. The physical therapy content may

include anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, kinesiology, biomechanics, clinical pathology,

ethics, communication, and other pertinent topics. Classroom and lab study will take up 75 percent of

your studies while 25 percent is reserved for clinical education.

It is critical that you choose a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy assistant school. Without the

accreditation, you will not be permitted to take the licensure exam. Unfortunately, APTA doesnt have a

ranking forphysical therapy assistant schoolsyet so you will have to consider a few factors that relate to

the schools program. Examine the schools licensure pass rates, program structure and curriculum,

facilities, cost and financial opportunities, training opportunities, and a few others as listed by the APTA.

Once youve acquired the necessary competencies and license, you can start practicing with a physical

therapist. You can begin to help the elderly recover from strokes or cope with arthritis. You can help car

accident victims regain their mobility. You can become part of the group of people helping other people

lead better lives through physical therapy.

What to Look for in a Physical Therapy School

What is the best job in the world? How would you describe it? For U.S. News & World Report, having the

best job means being in demand, getting paid well, and having the opportunity for advancement.

According to the Washington-based news magazine, physical therapist lands the number eight spot on

the overall best job and number four spot on the best health care job of 2012. Physical therapy offers

lucrative opportunities and a potential to make a difference in someone elses life. Before you dive into

this fast-growing industry, examine the physical therapy school you want to enroll in, so you are

guaranteed the very best education.

All physical therapists and physical therapy assistantsare required to get a degree from accredited institutions

or universities. Your education begins with an

undergraduate program, which provides you with the

core competencies you require to enter a post-

baccalaureate program. Physical therapy assistants are

not required to enroll in post-grad studies, but are

instead expected to finish a two-year associate degree
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program. If your intention is to take on a physical therapy career,

then youll need to enter a graduate program.

The University of Southern California (USC) is considered to have

the best physical therapy program in America, according to a

ranking done by the U.S. News & World Report. USCs Division of

Biokenisiology and Physical Therapy includes a Doctor of PhysicalTherapy program, which aims to prepare you to become an

autonomous practitioner capable of treating and evaluating a

patient. Other programs you might want to consider at USC are

orthopedic, neurologic and sports residency programs.

Other schools that made it to the U.S. News list were the

University of Pittsburgh Washington University in St. Louis,

University of Iowa, Baylor University (US Army), which offers

advanced studies with its doctoral physical therapy program, the

New York University, and the MGH Institute of Health Professionals

in Boston.

When you embark on a school search, it would also help to check with the American Physical Therapy

Association (APTA), which is an organization that maintains a level of standard in physical therapy

schoolsto make sure that students like you get the very best level of education.

Depending on the region, the reported salary for physical therapists is $60,000. The fee goes up to

$70,000 when you have achieved four to six years' experience and $86,000 if you have accumulated

more than 16 years of practice. It also depends on the region. Forbes.Com estimates that the highest

salaries for physical therapists are in the West, and the lowest in the Midwest.

A reputable and accreditedphysical therapy schoolwill arm you with the knowledge and skills you need

to pass a licensing exam and eventually practice a lucrative career in physical therapy. But remember,

fulfillment only comes when you actually love and enjoy what youre doing. Once you begin to look

forward to going to work every day, only then will you be

able to declare that youve got the best job in the world.

Physical Therapist Schools: Career Development

Begins Here

Pain management is a tough battle when a pa tient

is forced to deal with the condition by himself. A

doctor can only do so much in terms ofmedication and possible procedures that can

alleviate the daily struggle with excruciating pain.

Physical therapy allows the patient to manage his

condition to gain a better quality of life and

achieve good health for the long haul. If you are

interested in becoming a physical therapist, know

that you will soon be making a difference in a
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patients daily life. Physical therapist schools today

provide a high quality of education to help you become

a competent and licensed practitioner.

Physical therapists are highly educated health care practitioners

who are able to examine, diagnose, and treat patients of every

age. As a therapist, you will be responsible for devising a plantailored to a persons condition and present treatment

techniques to help him regain the ability to move, restore

function, and manage pain. All this is done without resorting to

long-term prescription medication or costly surgery.

Because you will basically be responsible for another human

beings quality of life, it is absolutely necessary you acquire the

required competencies to examine and treat people, just like a

doctor. Every physical therapist begins with a bachelors degree

in physical therapy. The program will provide you with

foundational coursework and training. Youll be able to learn advanced theories and concepts. Youlllearn anatomy, psychology, genetics, microbiology, athletic injury care, exercise physiology, chemistry,

physics, and statistics, nutrition, and research methods, among many other topics. From here on, you

are expected to take on a masters degree or clinical doctorate to pursue a professional career. If, for

some reason, you are unable to move on to the next stage of your education, having a bachelors degree

will allow you to become a physical therapy assistant.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), an organization that maintains a level of standard in

physical therapy schools, advises graduates to consider getting an American Board of Physical Therapy

Specialties (ABPTS) certification for eight specialties that include geriatrics, orthopedics, neurology, and

sports. This will allow you to make further advancements in your career. So, dont just stop at studying

inphysical therapist schools.

As a licensed physical therapist, youll be able to choose from a number of work environments or

institutions. Youll be able to work in homes for the elderly, in-patient rehabilitation centers, outpatient

clinics, fitness centers or sports training facilities, industrial workplaces, education or research centers,

extended care facilities, schools, and hospices.

Get a Promising Career at Accredited PT Schools

A physical therapist (PT) works with patients who have

limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function

resulting from injury, disease and other causes. ThesePTs provide services that help restore function, relieve

pain, improve mobility and prevent or limit permanent

physical disabilities. It is a challenging occupation that

gives you the chance to be of service to numerouspatients.
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In order to become a physical therapist, you have to attend an accreditedPhysical Therapy

school to get a degree in physical therapy. At times, applying for a physical therapy

program is time-consuming. First, you have to determine whether you want a masters or

doctorate degree in physical therapy. Next is to determine the location of the school where

you would like to enroll and finish your degree. In choosing a physical therapy school, it is

important to choose a program that is accredited by the American Physical TherapyAssociation.

Becoming a physical therapist takes years of schooling, training and continued education,

and it is offered in both state and private institutions. Selecting a good school can be

instrumental in helping you prepare for and pass the physical therapy national licensing

examination required in almost all states. It can be advantageous to have your training

within the state that you plan to work in as thePT schoolshave a better knowledge of what

is required to find work within their state. These schools may be able to help you contact

physical therapists who can assist you withyour required work experience.

Career opportunity for physical therapists is

expected to grow in the coming years and it

was identified as an excellent career in

2006 by US News & World Report.

Employment of physical therapists is

expected to grow with the increase in the

number of individuals with disabilities or

limited function. The growing elderly

population is also now aware of the

advantages of physical therapy which help

sustain or increase their mobility and lifeenjoyment.

Advances in the field of medicine lead to

greater survival rate of trauma victims, of

newborns with birth defects and treatment of additional disabling conditions will create

demand for rehabilitation services. Indeed, continuing programs about health promotion

are projected to increase demand for physical therapy services. Many employers are now

asking physical therapists to evaluate worksites, develop exercise program for employees

and teach safe work habits to employees, with the purpose of preventing or reducingworking injuries.

The most convenient means of finding the right physical therapy school is through theinternet. Look for the PT programs available in each school and compare schools entrancerequirements, coursework and school fees.
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physical therapy assistant schools: your substitute for a work in patient care

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