Physical Therapist Schools - Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

Become A Physical Therapist Or Assistant - Learn About Physical Therapy Programs

If you have ever had muscle pain or endured the recuperation after an accident or illness, you know the importance of a physical therapist. The techniques you learn in physical therapy schools can improve someone's quality of life, and if you are looking for a fulfilling career, there is nothing better than helping someone regain their mobility and independence. If this sounds ideal to you, look into the best physical therapist schools for you and get started.

Job Description

A physical therapist needs to be trained in massage, electro and hydrotherapy, exercise and stretching in order to help people with pain, discomfort or weakened muscles. They also need to have patience and good people skills as they will be working with hurt and sometimes frustrated patients all day.

Career Options

Physical therapist careers essentially include 3 positions: becoming a physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant or a physical therapist aide. Each requires a different level of education and falls into a different salary bracket, with the physical therapist being the top the ladder.

With experience in this profession, you also have many other careers available to you. You can work in patient care or care management, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, as a fitness trainer or in massage therapy.

High School Diploma

With even only a high school diploma or a GED you can start a career as a physical therapy aide. You will work under the supervision of both the physical therapist and assistant, and you will prepare the work area and get the patients ready for their treatment.

Associate's Degree

In this 2 year program, you will learn about anatomy, physiology, therapeutic massage and exercise, first aid, emergency care, rehabilitation and an intro to psychology among other things.

With an associate's degree, you can become a physical therapist's assistant, working under the physical therapist to provide care for the patients. In some states you will still need to be licensed to be an assistant on top of getting this degree.

Master's or Doctorate Degrees

You need to complete a bachelor's degree before you can enter these programs, but with a direct entry master's degree program, your bachelor can be in any other field. In both a master's program, which is 2 years and a doctorate program, which is 3 years, you will learn biology, chemistry, human growth, kinesiology, neuroscience, pathology and about musculoskeletal disorders as only some of your subjects.

Once your studies are complete, you will also be required to volunteer in a physical therapy clinic for a set amount of time before you can take your licensing test. To become a physical therapist, you will need to have completed a master's or PhD.

Licensing

All states require a physical therapist to become licensed, but only some states require it of a physical therapist's assistant. You need to pass The National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE), and a physical therapist will have 5 hours to complete it while an assistant will have only 4. Once passed, you still need to find out about specific additional licensing requirements you may have to meet in your particular state.

Online Programs

You can pursue becoming a physical therapist online if you take an accredited distance course. Some great physical therapy programs that you can find online include Boston University, The College of St Scholastica, AT Still University, Utica College and Penn Career Schools.

Career Outlook and Salary

Physical therapy is a career choice that is experiencing an increase in demand right now, and you have so many physical therapy schools available to help you get there, whether they be in person or online. Experts say they predict that from 2006-2016, the amount of jobs in this field will increase by 27%, so now is the right time to join this profession.

The average salary in 2006 for a physical therapy aide was $22,060, for a physical therapy assistant was $41,360 and for a licensed physical therapist was $66,200.

Click Here To Get Free Information From Physical Therapy Colleges

Accredited Physical Therapy Schools | Physical Therapist Jobs And Description |