Learn About Physical Therapist Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant Schools, Training, Jobs, and Careers

What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
As with most careers in the healthcare field, physical therapists need assistants. They can not perform all the things needed in patient’s rehabilitation all by themselves. So physical therapist need physical therapy assistants (PTAs) to help them manage such things as broken bones, arthritis, amputation, lower back pain, etc. Needless to say, the list could go on.

In a typical day, the physical therapist assistant could perform some or all of the following:

1. Workout a patient with fracture to get them stronger so they can go back to their day to day activities
2. Fit a patient with brace or crutch
3. Massage a patient
4. Answer the phone
5. Schedule and cancel appointments
6. Order supplies that patient’s will need
7. Observe and update patient progress report
8. Physically lift patient in and out of wheelchair
9. Etc.

As you can tell from the last item above, the job requires that the PTA be physically fit. Lifting patients in and out of wheelchairs wouldn’t be a pleasant experience for someone who is not fit.

How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant:
This is one of those careers where a certificate will not do. You need a college degree. The minimum degree needed to become a physical therapist assistant is associate degree.

As usual, you first need to get your high school diploma or equivalent. You then need to attend a school offering the physical therapy degree program. While in this school, you should expect to take such classes as:

a. Motor Movement and Analysis
b. Medical Conditions and Their Implications
c. Kinesiology
d. Introduction to Physical Therapy
e. Therapeutic Exercise
f. Activity Skills and Analysis
g. Etc.

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary:
Physical therapy assistants make excellent pay. Some make as much as $42,000 per year just to start at the low end. We have also seen some that make as much as $62,000 per year. This depends on your level of education, location, and level of responsibility.

Physical Therapist Assistant School:
We have uncovered 2 schools that offer physical therapy assistant program. Both schools offer the program at the associate degree level.

The first one is Keiser University. Keiser University offers the associate of science in physical therapist assistant. You should request for their program information to check it out. You can do so by clicking this link.

Return from Physical Therapist Assistant to Medical Assistants Schools and Careers