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Health Care Careers PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Career Description:

Works under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT) to help patients regain physical function after illness or injury
Provides direct interventions to improve their mobility, reduce their pain and improve function
Confer with PT about treatment plan for patient
Instruct and assist with therapeutic exercises programs, instruction in self care and home management techniques and functional training programs
Train patients on how to care for braces, prostheses (artificial body parts) and assistive devices such as crutches, walkers, and canes
Administers traction, massage and cold/hot packs and electrical stimulation and ultrasound
May perform come clerical duties

Work Environment:

Working Conditions:

Requires physical stamina (long hours on feet and patient, equipment moving)
Some risk of exposure to diseases
High level of social interaction; work closely with patients and PT staff
Can deal with angry or discourteous patients
May work full or part-time; evenings or weekend shifts available; most work regular schedules

Job Outlook:

Over 59,000 PTAs employed in U.S.; over 2000 PTAs work in Massachusetts
36,000 PTA job openings predicted nationally between 2004-2014 (new and replacement positions); 44% growth rate
110 open PTA positions predicted annually in MA through 2008; much faster than average growth rate expected through 2012
Job growth mainly due to aging population requiring services; growth may be limited in the short-term by insurance payment limitations and federal laws, but expected shortages in the PT field will lead to major growth in the demand for PTAs

Career Advancement:

May specialize in areas such as pediatrics or geriatrics
May return to school and pursue PT Career. Minimal requirement for PT is a MS degree with the majority of PT programs transitioning to 6-year Doctor of PT degree

Earnings:

Full time median annual earnings for PTAs nationally in 2002 was $36,080
In MA, hourly range was $14.78-$23.34, or $30,742-$48,547.00

Salary information is based on data extracted from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Career Information System, the Massachusetts Hospital Association “Pulse” website, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary by employer, geographical location, experience and level of education. Salaries in the Boston area are generally higher than stated Massachusetts and National averages.

Education/Training Required:

A.S. Degree from accredited PTA program; generally from community or junior college
Course work includes anatomy and physiology, biology, and psychology; also includes clinical training for hands-on experience
Must pass National PT licensing exam by Federation of State Boards of PT; then apply and pay fee to MA for state registration (MA Board of Registration in PT)

Prerequisite Educational Requirements:

High School Diploma or GED
Completion of High School Biology class w/ Lab component and grade of “C” or better within last 5 years; OR college Biology 101 within past 5 years
Successful completion of college placement exam, including Math, English and Reading assessments and placement in to college level classes

Is this career for you?

Do you have a HS diploma or GED with completed prerequisites?
Can you pass computerized placement exams for college level math, reading and English?
Have you or could you successfully complete college Algebra and science courses such as Biology and Anatomy and Physiology?
Are you compassionate?
Do you have the desire to help people?
Are you able to provide excellent customer service even in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment? Are you interested in “lifetime learning”?
Are you physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift, push and carry heavy objects/patients?

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