Physical Therapy Assistant Essay Example for Free

Physical Therapy Assistant Essay Under the observation of a Physical Therapist, a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works to help patients recover from injuries or disabilities within the body. A few exemplifications of their line of work include balance training, exercise, electrical stimulation, massage, ultrasound therapy, and mechanical traction. However, seeing as they are still just assistants, PTA’s must very thoroughly document and report everything they do and turn in their paper work to their overseeing therapist. Although the position is one of a mere apprentice, they are not required to hold a license, but there are several other qualifications needed. Education is the first step to certification. A basic two-year Associates degree is needed. This can be obtained through Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. There are two different components that fit into the degree: classroom studies and clinicals. Under the education part of the degree, you would take several courses during your two year term, including rehabilitation, psychology, physiology, kinesiology, and terminology, and anatomy. Other courses include orthopedics, advanced physical therapy procedures, and pathology. Overall, sixty hours of educational course credits are needed. In the second section of studies, you are required to have working experience in the field. These clinicals occur within the second year of your education. Whether it is in a treatment center of some sort or a professional Physical Therapy business matters not, only that you have the experience needed, and in most cases, 2,000 working hours. Seeing as this would put you directly in contact with other people in a medical field, you would be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the basics of first aid. On a side note, since you are in the occupation of physical therapy assistance, you yourself as the therapy assistant should be in good or excellent condition. Oftentimes, the assistant has to work with the patients and help them with mobility, therefore, there is a high necessity to have a physically maintained body as well. After you have secured your Associates degree and completed your physical therapy assistant program with credits, you have become eligible to apply for and take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). This test is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. One way that you can help prepare yourself for the exam is by joining professional organizations. Not only would the groups make you look good, they would also offer many network opportunities and benefits in the future. Earning credentials also allows for more preparedness. For example, joining the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) requires a substantial number of extra experience hours and approximately a year of work before admission. This would give someone a very good head start when it comes to studying for the test. Once you feel prepared enough, you may take your exam. If passed, the graduate may then carry on with their certification of completion for the Physical Therapy Assistant. With this license, you can now go out into the medical field, get your own job as a certified physical therapist assistant, and thrive with the degree and job you love.