Interested in becoming a healthcare professional with excellent work-life balance, steady job prospects and the opportunity to work one-on-one with patients? Embarking on a career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) fulfills this wish list.
PTAs are one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions today and a key component of any healthcare team focused on physical therapy. Working under the supervision of physical therapists, PTAs are vital to carrying out treatment plans for individual patients.
Keep reading for information on what a physical therapist assistant does, what educational background they need, job prospects and other information about the PTA career path.
A physical therapist assistant collaborates with a physical therapist to execute a treatment plan, providing necessary rehabilitation to meet the patient’s needs. This entails educating patients about their treatment, teaching them how to use appropriate equipment, helping them with specified exercises, or applying therapeutic interventions like stretching or soft tissue mobilization.
PTAs track their patients’ progress and share their observations with physical therapists and other healthcare providers, discussing any issues or concerns their patient may experience during their sessions
To become a physical therapist assistant, you must earn an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapy assistant program. The degree program usually takes two years, or five semesters, to complete and includes coursework, lab training and clinical hours. To obtain your license after graduating, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam.
Earning a degree from an accredited program is crucial if you want to become a physical therapy assistant. Accreditation means the program meets the educational standards to prepare you for your professional duties. An accredited program is also a requirement for the licensing exam and for providing services to Medicare patients.
Clinical training is an important part of any PTA curriculum from an accredited institution, accounting for 25% of credit hours. In the second year of their program, students spend an average of 16 weeks in full-time internships.
The importance of hands-on experience during students’ education goes beyond building a résumé — though it certainly helps their career prospects upon graduation. Through internships, students explore different work environments and are exposed to various practice areas, allowing them to hone their interests. Internships create a safe space to practice technical abilities and develop soft skills like listening and rapport, which make a highly qualified PTA.
Successful PTAs combine interpersonal skills, technical competencies and compassion to provide effective care. Their jobs often require hands-on therapeutic applications, which means they can be very physically demanding roles. Establishing strong ties with patients through active listening, empathy and a positive attitude is paramount.
Some of the essential skills physical therapists demonstrate include:
Ability to work independently
Comfortable using technical equipment
Communication skills
Observation and attention to detail
Patience and a positive attitude
Physical strength and stamina
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Though many PTAs work in physical therapist offices, others pursue jobs in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, long-term care facilities, the sports industry, home health services, schools and universities, and hospitals.
Most states require passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered by the American Physical Therapy Association, for licensing.
Other requirements vary by state. Some may ask for transcripts, criminal background checks, professional liability insurance and a jurisprudence assessment. Please check the specific details for the state where you intend to practice.
The NPTE consists of 180 questions divided into four sections that cover body systems, equipment and technology, therapeutic modalities, safety and protection, professional responsibility and evidence-based practice.
Preparing for the exam doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
Create a study schedule to review the material in small chunks instead of cramming.
Take sample exams and answer practice questions to familiarize yourself with the format.
Focus on the “Big Three” topics covered in the exam: musculoskeletal, neuro, and cardiopulmonary issues and treatment.
There are many ways to advance in your career as a PTA. At a minimum, you are expected to stay current with the latest technology and practices in the field.
Advanced Proficiency Pathways programs allow you to advance your knowledge in acute care, cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics or wound management. Completing the programs signals to employers that you are well-versed in these topics, which could lead to more responsibilities and supervisory roles. Dual certification also gives you a competitive edge in the job market.
As a PTA, you can also use your experience as a launching pad for other professional roles, like becoming a fully licensed physical therapist, exercise physiologist, nurse, massage therapist or trainer/coach. Though it may require additional education and certification, your years of professional experience can help you stand out among applicants.
Job prospects for PTAs are bright, with employment projected to grow 19% in the next decade, much faster than average for all occupations. In 2022, PTAs’ median annual wage was $62,770, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $85,230.
In addition to a steady job outlook and earning potential, PTAs often report having a good work-life balance. Though working evenings or weekends is common to accommodate patients’ needs, most have set schedules and a certain degree of flexibility.
Being in demand means they have many options of where to work — both in terms of geographical location and the type of healthcare setting. Though they follow a physical therapist’s directives, they carry out much of their daily tasks independently.
Finally, PTAs have ample opportunity to create tight bonds with patients and positively affect their quality of life. Seeing patients progress over time can motivate and encourage PTAs to take pride in their ability to improve the mobility and overall health of others in a meaningful way.
The affordable, transfer-friendly Associate of Science - Physical Therapist Assistant program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) can set you on the path toward this rewarding career. Though you can graduate in as little as five semesters, our flexible curriculum lets you complete the program at your own pace.
Students receive hands-on, rigorous training through state-of-the-art facilities and intensive clinical internships. Our method is effective — our pass rate on the licensing exam is 93.4%, and since 2021, 100% of our students have found employment.
Discover how we can help you achieve your professional goals!
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