Online Physical Therapy Assistant Schools
Updated September 13, 2024 · 3 Min Read
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The job outlook for physical therapy assistants (PTAs) from 2023-2033 could grow far faster than that for all occupations. PTAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home healthcare, and nursing homes.
Explore online PTA school curriculums, the benefits of working as a physical therapy assistant, and answers to frequently asked questions about online PTA programs.
Popular Online Healthcare Certificate Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Price Check
The cost of programs varies significantly, ranging from $6,660 at San Juan College to $59,660 at Penn State.
Physical Therapy Assistant School Curriculum
The online PTA program curriculum typically blends theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience. Practicum and lab requirements allow students to apply knowledge in professional settings, which is critical for professional development.
The clinical experiences are typically completed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or rehabilitation centers. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of a PTA role. Core courses include:
- Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the human body and its functions
- Exercise Physiology: Understanding the relationship between metabolism, performance, endurance, and recovery
- Kinesiology: Study of human movement
- Clinical Pathology: Study of disease processes and diagnostic methods
- Biomechanics: Analysis of human movement using mechanical principles
- Therapeutic Exercise: Techniques to improve patient mobility and strength
- Modalities: Utilizing physical agents like heat, cold, and electrical stimulation
- Orthopedic and Neurological Rehabilitation: Techniques for treating specific conditions
Benefits of Going to Physical Therapy Assistant School
PTA jobs are in high demand, and PTAs can earn competitive salaries. Professionals work in diverse environments, have access to career advancement opportunities, and can positively impact a patient's life. Benefits also include:
- A job growth of 19% between 2023 and 2033, faster than average, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data
- A mean annual salary of $64,080
- Flexible work schedules
- Continuous learning and skill development
- Strong professional support and networking opportunities
Physical Therapy Assistant School Program Outcomes
Graduating from an online PTA program equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their careers. The primary outcomes include meeting the educational requirements for licensure, understanding job market trends, and recognizing the factors influencing salary potential and responsibilities. Several requirements must be met to become a licensed PTA.
Candidates must complete an accredited associate degree program, which typically takes two years. They then pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs and meet state-specific licensure or certification requirements.
The BLS reports a mean annual wage for PTAs as $64,080 as of May 2023. However, several factors can affect your salary potential, including your level of education and specialization, years of experience, geographical location, and the type of healthcare facility.
In 2023, the largest employers of PTAs comprised the offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists, employing 45% of PTAs, according to the BLS. Hospitals hired 22% of workers, and home healthcare services hired 12%. Nursing facilities, government, and physician offices hire the remaining 14%.
Physical therapists supervise physical therapy assistants to treat patients recovering from injuries or surgeries or living with chronic conditions. PTAs perform tasks, such as guiding therapeutic exercises, applying modalities, and educating patients and families about at-home care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Physical Therapy Assistant Schools
Should a PTA earn a bachelor's degree?
PTAs must have at least an associate degree to become certified, obtain a license, and find a job. However, whether a PTA program should be elevated to a bachelor's degree is an ongoing debate, with valid points on both sides of the argument. A bachelor's degree could enhance professional recognition and career opportunities, but it could also limit accessibility and exacerbate workforce shortages. Accredited, two-year online PTA schools offer greater accessibility and flexibility for working students. Changes to the educational requirements must carefully consider factors that impact both the profession and healthcare delivery.
What can PTs do that PTAs cannot?
Physical therapists (PTs) and PTAs work collaboratively to provide care, but PTs have a broader scope of practice and can perform tasks that PTAs cannot. Key differences include a PT's ability to evaluate and make clinical diagnoses, develop treatment plans, perform ongoing assessments, and handle complex decision-making for patients with complicated or evolving conditions. PTs also supervise and delegate tasks to PTAs, ensuring the tasks are performed within the scope of practice and providing guidance as needed.
What is the difference between a PTA and an OTA?
PTAs and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) play crucial roles in rehabilitation care, but the focus areas differ significantly. PTAs focus on helping patients improve physical mobility, strength, and function, while OTAs focus on helping patients develop, recover, or maintain skills needed for daily living and working. PTAs and OTAs typically work in similar settings, and both require an associate degree from an accredited program, passing a national board certification examination, and obtaining state licensure to practice.
How stressful is being a PTA?
Being a PTA can be stressful, but the level of stress a PTA experiences varies based on several factors, including work environment, patient population, workload, and individual resilience. Assisting patients with severe injury or chronic illness can be emotionally taxing. The physical demands can range from very light to very heavy work, depending on the transfers, gait training, and exercises the patient needs. PTAs can manage stress levels through regular physical exercise, seeking support, and practicing self-care and work-life balance.
What field of physical therapy pays the most?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the highest paying positions are in home healthcare, followed by an academic setting, inpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. The lowest paying positions are in the K-12 school setting. Certain specializations tend to offer higher salaries because of the complexity and demand of the work.
Page last reviewed June 14, 2024
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