Why a Physical Therapy Assistant Is More Than Just A Fitness Trainer.
A physical therapist assistant, also known as a PTA, can be a rewarding profession for someone looking for a job in the medical field. An individual can complete physical therapist assistant studies and achieve an associate degree in physical therapy in about 21 months. While a physical therapist assistant may have many similarities to a fitness trainer, some key differences exist.
Learn how a physical therapist assistant is different from a fitness trainer, what a physical therapist assistant does, and how to become one.
Physical Therapist Assistant vs. Fitness Trainer
A physical therapist assistant provides direct care under a physical therapist’s (PT’s) supervision. Physical therapists are responsible for creating a rehabilitative program that is customized to a patient’s specific injury or diagnosis. Physical therapist assistants administer a physical therapist’s rehabilitation program, assisting with various exercises, stretches, and strength-training activities.
Fitness trainers (1) are sports professionals responsible for assisting and motivating individuals to reach their personal fitness goals. They also assist with developing a fitness routine that includes various exercises such as aerobics, weight training, strengthening, balance, and flexibility. Besides creating an exercise program for their clients, fitness trainers may also help develop a nutritional guide or create recipes that will support their clients in their fitness and weight-loss goals.
What Work Does a Physical Therapy Assistant Perform?
Physical therapist assistants treat individuals of all ages and health conditions. They take into account existing injuries and disabilities while administering treatment, as well. A physical therapist assistant’s goal is to help patients return to their pre-injury conditions to regain movement and flexibility, effectively manage discomfort or pain, maintain their independence, and lead an active, healthy life.
Duties of a physical therapist assistant may include the following:
- Treating patients with various techniques, such as massage, stretching, or aquatic therapy.
- Assisting individuals in completing specific exercises for mobility, strength, flexibility, and coordination.
- Teaching patients how to walk with crutches, canes, walkers, and other mobility devices.
- Assisting individuals in using medical devices and aids, such as TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).
- Observing and recording a patient’s performance and results from each appointment.
- Educating patients about what to expect following the course of treatment.
Why Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
For those who enjoy working directly with individuals in a clinical setting, an occupation as a physical therapist assistant may be an ideal option. It can be a gratifying career. Physical therapist assistants have the privilege of assisting their patients as they go from having little mobility or decreased physical function to a life of independence and improved physical health.
Many physical therapy assistant programs can be completed in less than two years. Training and professional development include both coursework and clinical experience.
What’s the Job Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistants?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2) expects physical therapist assistant jobs to continue growing over the next several years. The need for physical therapy is on the rise, especially as people are aging and living longer. Several physical health issues, such as chronic diseases, orthopedic injuries, mobility-related afflictions, and other medical conditions, respond well to physical therapy treatment.
While physical therapists create and oversee all rehabilitative care, physical therapist assistants help carry out the care plan as designed by a physical therapist. This support saves on the cost of physical therapy for the patient. It also uses the physical therapist’s time more efficiently, allowing the PT to be available for any emergency therapy treatment needs that may arise.
What Health Conditions Do Physical Therapist Assistants Treat?
Physical therapy treats a wide range of health conditions (3), ranging from ankle sprains and fractured bones to life-altering chronic health conditions. These conditions may include:
- Acute injuries, including total joint replacements, stroke or spinal cord injuries, wound or burn care, cardiovascular complications, and pulmonary conditions.
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary afflictions, including chronic respiratory disorders, vascular disease, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, heart disease, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
- Geriatric health conditions, including cancer-related complications, fall-related injuries, joint replacement surgeries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and amputations.
- Neurology-related disorders, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries.
- Orthopedic injuries, including back and neck pain, rotator cuff injuries, muscle strains, joint sprains, knee and ankle injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Pediatric conditions, including developmental delays, Down syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, brain injuries, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and autism spectrum disorders.
- Sports-related ailments, including performance enhancement, injury prevention, acute sports injuries, and rehabilitation.
- Women’s health issues, including urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, pelvic pain, breast cancer, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia.
- Home health care rehabilitation for disorders such as total joint replacements, progressive neurological conditions, dementia, chronic pain, wound or burn care, COPD, and heart failure.
Where Do Physical Therapist Assistants Work?
Physical therapist assistants work in clinical and community-based settings. As part of their work, these professionals often collaborate with parents, caregivers, medical professionals, and other health experts. You can find physical therapist assistants working in many settings. These places include hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, group homes, schools, private practice offices, hospice settings, and private residences. Due to the various environments in which a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant work, schedules can range from part time to full time and include working nights and weekends.
Working as a physical therapist assistant requires individuals to be physically active and frequently moving. They must perform tasks such as setting up equipment, demonstrating exercises and stretches, and lifting and moving patients. For this reason, they must learn proper techniques for working with their patients to avoid or prevent unnecessary injuries to themselves and their patients.
How Do You Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?
All 50 states require physical therapy assistants to obtain an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Upon graduation, an individual must take and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam. Once candidates fulfill these requirements, they can work toward becoming licensed and certified as physical therapy assistants.
What Are Education and Training Like for Physical Therapist Assistants?
A PTA associate degree program typically takes less than two years to complete. The curriculum includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, biomechanics, clinical pathology, behavioral sciences, communication skills, ethics, and values. The educational program also involves hands-on skill training and real-life experience through supervised clinical work in various medical settings. Approximately 75% of the coursework connects with the classroom and laboratory. The remaining 25% involves full-time clinical educational experiences. — READ FULL Article here.
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