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Accreditation
Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Stanbridge College is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. The program has submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the technical/professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in technical/professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist to provide treatment and care for patients with injuries and disabling conditions. They aid patients in exercises and treatments to improve patient mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or lessen physical disabilities. PTAs may also be tasked with teaching a patient how to use assistive devices like crutches or preparing equipment for training sessions among other treatments.
After graduating, some PTAs choose to advance their knowledge and skills in a particular area of physical therapy. These include geriatric, pediatric, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. PTAs might also advance in other non-clinical areas including administrative roles.
Work Environment
Physical Therapist Assistants generally work in acute care hospitals, outpatient therapy offices and skilled nursing facilities. Their schedules are variable with the facility’s hours and may include weekend or evening hours. PTAs need a moderate degree of strength as they are required to kneel, stoop, bend, and stand for long periods of time.
Employment
According to the US Labor department, Physical Therapist Assistant positions are expected to grow by 35% from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 This rapid growth is due mainly to the increased elderly population in addition to the aging baby-boomer generation. Because PTAs allow Physical Therapists to handle more patients, job opportunities for PTAs are numerous and widely available.
Earnings
According to the US Bureau of Labor, the median annual wages of Physical Therapist Assistants were $46,140 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,170 and $54,900.1 Increased years of professional experience may raise a PTA’s yearly income. Other variables that may increase income include geographical location of employment and the type of facility, which the PTA is employed.
1. Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos167.htm. As viewed on January 4, 2012.
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