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Physical Therapy Assistant

Under the direction of a licensed physical therapist, physical therapy assistants, or PTAs, attempt to restore bodily function, relieve pain, and prevent disability after an injury or illness.  Using a number of treatments, PTA’s treat injuries and disorders including fractures, arthritis, cerebral palsy, lower back pain, heart disease, and head injuries.  They keep detailed records of patient responses and outcomes of treatment.  Treatment methods and procedures may include the following:

• massage
• electric stimulation
• exercise
• paraffin baths
• hot/cold packs
• ultrasound
• traction

A number of factors have led to increased employment projections for PTA jobs.  Many health issues requiring rehabilitation occur in aging adults.  As the population ages, employers are looking to hire physical therapy assistants to care for these patients.  PTA jobs will be affected due to the population, as well as the continuation of medical advancements and the increase in survival rates, which will cause many candidates to require extended recovery care.  Finally, as health benefits improve, technology advances, and healthcare services become more affordable, the need for PTAs to fill available positions will increase as well.  Many employers have begun utilizing the skills of PTAs and increasing workloads, which causes costs to continually decrease as less physical therapists and more assistants are used.  Highly qualified candidates will experience the highest opportunities. 

Candidates interested in obtaining a physical therapy assistant job must undergo formal training.  A minimum of an associates degree, combined with a passing state exam score, are commonly necessary to begin practicing in the medical field, as well as  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.  Not all states require PTAs to obtain licensure, so it is important to carefully investigate all requirements.  Clinical experience is commonly necessary to begin work in physical therapy fields. 

In addition to the amount of education necessary, there are basic physical requirements as well.  PTAs must be capable of lifting, standing, stooping, kneeling, and any other motions necessary to assist patients periodically throughout the day.  Approximately 30% of all PTAs in 2004 were employed part time, but full time schedules are most common.  Evening and weekend hours may be required in order to accommodate patients’ needs.  PTAs may be employed in a number of facilities including hospitals, nursing centers, and private offices; therefore conditions vary greatly. 

For more information on a career as a physical therapy assistant, please visit the following sites:

• Health Careers in Mississippi
• Physical Therapy Board
• Jackson State Community College
• Blackhawk Technical College
• F.A. Davis Company

If you are searching for a therapy career, or have a therapy position open, please visit iHireTherapy.  We are an online niche job posting board, specializing only in the therapy field.