Physical Therapist Assistant Education Requirements

In order to become a physical therapist assistant, you need to fulfill certain educational requirements. Meeting this prerequisite means preparing to achieve an Associate’s Degree in PTA Education.

For those who would want to pursue a career as a licensed PT or physical therapist, there are different institutes that offer PT doctoral degrees. Of course, you’ll need to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree to be able to advance into the doctoral programs.

Becoming a PTA means enrolling in a recognized (accredited) program and obtaining the associate degree before you will even be recognized by the organization called the American Physical Therapy Association. But before you can even enroll in an Associate’s Degree program, you must submit proof that you’ve already acquired a high school diploma.

Beyond your acquisition of an Associate’s Degree in PTA Education, you will also need to get a license in order to begin working as a PTA.

Pre-PTA General Requirements

The requirements for each PTA school greatly vary. There are schools that center their curriculum on academics while there are those that give focus on internship experience. There are two things that you need to check with the PTA school that you’re going to attend:

• First, the PTA program must take two years to complete and,
• The curriculum is divided into the pre-PTA and PTA programs.

Most pre-PTA programs require ACT scores, a complete application form, transcript of your high school education and even your immunization records.

PTA Programs General Requirements

• Complete application packet
• Observation time (a minimum of 50 hours)
• HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test) scores
• An impressive interview score
• Clinical observation rating submitted by a therapist
• Results of faculty interview
• Minimum cumulative GPA

Scrutinizing the Associate Degree for PTA

This program that is being offered to high school graduates and those who are aiming to go back in college also requires hands own clinical experience together with the academics.

The students must readily comply with anatomy and physiology fundamentals for they are going to use the knowledge they acquire here in dealing with their patients. It is also vital to have ample knowledge of biology, chemistry, and algebra. A student must also need to gain a certificate in a first aid program, including CPR or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

As of today, there are more than 250 accredited PTA programs all over the country. The physical therapy assistant curriculum may vary from school to school but on top of theory and physical therapy practice, you will probably need to learn the fundamentals of medical sciences and basic education courses.

Expect to earn plenty of hands-on experience during your clinical internship. Now keep in mind that your salary and duties will also depend greatly on the level of education that you attained, your geographic location, and other factors.

Here’s a sample PTA curriculum for Pre-Associate’s Degree Program:

And here’s a sample of a single semester of PTA program (First Summer)

And here’s the Fall Semester Curriculum

The Importance of Clinical Training

PTAs are also trained to carry out therapeutic exercises, massage, and patient evaluation. They may also be asked to fit or adjust many types of supportive devices such as crutches or leg braces. Clerical duties may also be done by a PTA such as answering phone calls, completion of forms or ordering office and medical supplies.

In order to gain some experience before you begin your Associate Degree program, you can volunteer in any of the nursing homes near your area. This will give you an idea on what you’d be dealing with after your graduation.

Also, it would greatly help if you have a background in chemistry, biology, health, physics, art and social sciences.

PTA Licensure

In order to begin practicing as a physical therapy assistant, you should have graduated from your Associate’s Degree program and have satisfactorily passed your licensing requirements. Majority of states require that you pass the licensure exam, first aid and CPR certifications, and complete a certain number of hours in field work.

Satisfy all of these requirements and you can soon practice your profession. Remember that the healthcare industry is a rewarding path to pursue. You will surely feel emotionally and financially blessed to have a PTA job.