Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are health care providers who work as part of a team to provide physical therapy services under the supervision of licensed therapists. They assist individuals of all ages from young to old who have medical problems that deter them from performing their daily chores. They also teach patients how to exercise in order to enhance their strength and coordination. By use of treatment techniques, they examine individuals to relieve pain, enhance mobility and to restore function of the body. In addition, they develop fitness and wellness- oriented programs for healthier living (American Physical Therapy Assocation, 2015).
The physical therapist assistant profession has a scope of practice, …show more content…
Many states require licensure after completing an approved degree program. Licensure requires the passage of national and state examination in the field, and these licensure requirements are regulated by Physical Therapy boards. However, most require graduation from an accredited program, must have done some clinical work and a good grade on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Some states also call for applicants to pass separate tests on medical ethics. Apart from the required state license, physical therapists also have a chance to earn voluntary professional certification in specialist areas and credentials are offered by physical therapy professional organizations. The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is an important accrediting agency for graduate programs. Accreditation ensures that PT and PTA degree programs maintain particular academic standards and thus will be able to graduate professionals who are very competitive in the society. PTA programs are accredited at the associate level. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). To be able to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination, one must complete a CAPTE- accredited degree program (SR Education Group, …show more content…
One of them is the clinical electrophysiology, that studies electric functions of the body. The physical therapists who specialize in this area record and interpret data, and then apply their findings to a patient's physical therapy plan. There is also cardiovascular and pulmonary, which is treating patients with cardiopulmonary disorders or those who have had cardiac or pulmonary surgery. Other examples include: geriatrics - the physical therapy for the elderly and aging; neurology, which deals with patients suffering from brain injuries; orthopaedics, which entails working with people who have broken or weak bones; paediatric physical therapy, which is administered to young children; and women’s health specialists, who assist patients with medical conditions such as pre- and postnatal distress, incontinence, and lower back pain (SR Education Group,