Health Care Career Written Paper
Physical Therapist Assistant
Job Description
Physical therapist assistant works with the aide of a physical therapist to assist patients who are victims of injuries by helping them in exercise, massaging them and helping them to gain balance. They also assist patients in all therapeutic modalities so that they can have improved movement. This is in order to regain their movement as well as reduce pain. They also clean the treatment arena to make it ready for the next patient.
Physical therapist assistant completes all responsibilities of a physical therapist but at the supervision of the PT. They are restricted from writing a discharge summary for patients, coming up with a plan of care or changing the plan of care, write progress report of a patient, supervise physical therapy aide performing tasks related to therapy or even being the representative of a physical therapist in a meeting. All these responsibilities are left for the physical therapist and at no any time should we expect a physical therapist assistant to provide treatment for any patient unless with the physical therapist instructions.
The code of ethics for physical therapy assistant includes acting in a trustworthy manner to all patients without discrimination. They are also expected to comply with the laws and regulations that govern physical therapy. They should maintain a high level of competency while providing any form or physical therapy intervention. They should provide certain physical therapy interventions only with a physical therapist intervention. They should also make a judgment that aligns with their legal and educational qualifications in their line of practice. They should protect the public against any form of malpractice.
Education
The education requirement for physical therapist assistant calls for one to have done anatomy, physiology, biology one and two, general chemist one and two, general physics 1and 2, statistics and psychology. Also, the minimum GPA to pursue PTA profession is 3.58 for overall undergraduates. With those subjects, one qualifies to pursue a career in physical therapist assistant.
Examples of schools that offer physical therapy assistant program include Touro College and the University of Southern Illinois. To complete this program, it depends with the educational institution that one has enrolled the career. In most schools, a student takes four years to complete the program while in some, two years are enough to attain certification.
The approximate cost of taking physical therapist program in Touro College is $16,700 while taking the same program in University of Southern Illinois can take up to $13,137 for in-of-state students and $26,390 for all out-of-state students.
For one to qualify to be a physical therapist assistant, one should have completed an accredited associate’s degree program of the same and should be licensed or certified to work in all states. One requires passing an exam and progressing with education to become more qualified.
One must obtain a Board Certification to make them qualified for the position. This is obtained after one passes board examination that tests job competency. One must also sit for the licensing exam and pass to qualify to be a PTA.
Employment
Physical therapist assistants have a ready job market, and it is projected that the job availability will increase by 31percent between 2016 and 2026. This is a more rapid growth compared to the growth of any other occupation in the health sector.
The growth trend in this profession is rising where there is an expectation of a 31% increase between 2016 and 2026. The increase in job availability for PTA is due to increased demand for physical therapy by the aging population. Also, the major medical advancements will create more opportunities for PTA in the market.
The number of physical therapist assistant jobs advertised locally in our country varies depending on requirements. Sometimes they are needed in large number while other times, only a few are required in our country.
Before one is employed as a physical therapist assistant, qualifications are the most important things, not experience. This is because the experience does not qualify one to work as a physical therapist. Both the experienced and the inexperienced are treated the same as long as they qualify for the position.
The entry salary for physical therapist assistant is $55, 170 according to the United States of Labor Statistics.
Advancement opportunities for a physical therapist assistant include being a physical therapist, exercise physiologist, Acupuncturist and chiropractor. Physical therapist assistant can become one of the mentioned with or without an education if they prove to be competent.
Professional Activities
To join as a student of physical therapist assistant, it depends whether one is from the same state or different states. Also, the rates differ depending on the institution one is in. The cost ranges from $13,137 to $ 26,390 or even more depending on the specific institution one is in.
Continuing Educational Units are required for this profession. All physical therapist assistants are expected to complete at least 12 contact hours per every renewal cycle. This can go for up to 30 hours to complete the units.
The different ways members of an organization can earn CEU include attending events and conferences, achieving the required amount of academic hours that can be transferred to CEU equivalents, completion of NRPA’s distance course, enrolling a Professional Service Experience Points as well as attending a seminar for 30 days. That qualifies one to earn CEU with the relevant continuing education requirements.
Reflection
I have always desired to be a physical therapist, and through this profession, I can advance and become a good physical therapist. My subjects’ combinations and GPA makes suitable for the profession. I easily follow the laws and regulations set by an institution which makes me more suitable in this career. Compassion and respect are part of me which will allow me to treat all patients diligently and ensure they are well protected. I will ensure I work under the supervision of physical therapist in the operations am not supposed to handle. My passion for interacting with patients and helping them makes me the best fit in PTA career.
My career goal is to attend a college where I will earn a degree in physical therapy associate. I will later enroll a master’s program where I will graduate with a degree with physical therapy. Finally, I plan to advance at the doctoral level where I will graduate with a doctoral degree as a Doctor of physical therapy. My major objective is to achieve a doctorate in this field which will make me the most senior person in my career field.