What Do They Do? The main job of physical therapist assistants is to help patients that are recovering from any type of injury or illness to be able to regain their full range of motion and to effectively manage their pain. They help them out by giving them therapy. These types of therapy include exercises, massage, gait and balance training, and therapeutic modalities like ultrasounds and electrical stimulation. The physical therapists will guide them as to what different therapies to have the patient do. Once the form of therapy is finished, the assistants will record information and report all of the results back to the physical therapist.
Work Environment In 2012, physical therapist assistants held approximately 71,400 jobs. The main …show more content…
These programs typically last about 2 years. While being involved in these programs, you do both classroom studies and clinical experiences. The programs also usually include algebra, english, anatomy, physiology, and psychology courses. One may also earn CPR and other fist-aid skills while taking the classes. All assistants have to be licensed or certified. To become licensed, you are required to have graduated from an accredited physical therapist assistant program and have passed the Nation Physical Therapy Exam. Applicants for the job may also have to undergo a criminal record check and be at least 18 years old. Some important qualities that physical therapist assistants must have include compassion. They have to enjoy working with people and to supply empathy to their patients. They must be detail orientated in order to stay organized, keep accurate records, and to follow written and verbal instructions carefully. Assistants must have dexterity when working with their hands to provide therapy and exercises. They must also have interpersonal skills and be courteous and friendly to all of their patients. Lastly, they must have physical stamina because they are always on their feet and moving while they …show more content…
The demand for this job is expected to increase because of the health needs for the aging population. This baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes so they will be in need of lots of rehabilitation. Also, conditions such as diabetes and obesity are growing and physical therapist assistants will need to help patients maintain their mobility.
Similar Occupations Some of the similar occupations to a physical therapist assistant include dental assistants, medical assistants, nursing assistants, occupational therapy assistants, pharmacy technicians, physical therapists, and psychiatric technicians. The one thing that all of these jobs have in common is that all of them are assisting the licensed doctor or therapist fulfill their duties.
What Have I Done at Sartell to Prepare for this Career? I have taken several classes to prepare for this career. These include biology, algebra, geometry, and the 2 required physical education classes. Also, when I was in ninth grade, I had to go to multiple physical therapy sessions at the St. Cloud Orthopedics in order to help cure my bone contusion on my knee. This is what got me interested in this career because I saw all of the physical therapy assistants working and it looked like a job that I would
Work Environment In 2012, physical therapist assistants held approximately 71,400 jobs. The main …show more content…
These programs typically last about 2 years. While being involved in these programs, you do both classroom studies and clinical experiences. The programs also usually include algebra, english, anatomy, physiology, and psychology courses. One may also earn CPR and other fist-aid skills while taking the classes. All assistants have to be licensed or certified. To become licensed, you are required to have graduated from an accredited physical therapist assistant program and have passed the Nation Physical Therapy Exam. Applicants for the job may also have to undergo a criminal record check and be at least 18 years old. Some important qualities that physical therapist assistants must have include compassion. They have to enjoy working with people and to supply empathy to their patients. They must be detail orientated in order to stay organized, keep accurate records, and to follow written and verbal instructions carefully. Assistants must have dexterity when working with their hands to provide therapy and exercises. They must also have interpersonal skills and be courteous and friendly to all of their patients. Lastly, they must have physical stamina because they are always on their feet and moving while they …show more content…
The demand for this job is expected to increase because of the health needs for the aging population. This baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes so they will be in need of lots of rehabilitation. Also, conditions such as diabetes and obesity are growing and physical therapist assistants will need to help patients maintain their mobility.
Similar Occupations Some of the similar occupations to a physical therapist assistant include dental assistants, medical assistants, nursing assistants, occupational therapy assistants, pharmacy technicians, physical therapists, and psychiatric technicians. The one thing that all of these jobs have in common is that all of them are assisting the licensed doctor or therapist fulfill their duties.
What Have I Done at Sartell to Prepare for this Career? I have taken several classes to prepare for this career. These include biology, algebra, geometry, and the 2 required physical education classes. Also, when I was in ninth grade, I had to go to multiple physical therapy sessions at the St. Cloud Orthopedics in order to help cure my bone contusion on my knee. This is what got me interested in this career because I saw all of the physical therapy assistants working and it looked like a job that I would