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To
be a successful Physical Therapy Assistant you should:
- Enjoy working closely with people, including those
who are sick or disabled.
- Communicate effectively, including educating patients
and their families.
- Be competent in the physical and biological sciences.
- Enjoy solving complex problems.
- Desire to improve your community by helping individuals
achieve their full physical potential.
- Desire a career that values life-long learning.
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
Physical therapist assistants must complete a 2-year
education program, typically offered through a community
or junior college. Candidates receive an associate degree
upon graduation. The course of study includes usually
one year of general education and one year of technical
courses on physical therapy procedures and clinical experience.
The majority of PTA programs have specialized PTA courses
across two years of study. There is a heavy emphasis on
science courses. |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut. Prerequisites:
An approved Physical Therapy Assistant program or graduation
from an approved Physical Therapy Assistant program or
graduation from an approved US Phsycial Therapy school
or 20 years of PTA employment prior to October 1, 1989.
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| Where
can I get more information? American Physical
Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 999-APTA www.apta.org
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| What
is the salary for this career? $31,200-$45,760
(Source: 2003 Connecticut Hospital Association
Compensation Survey) |
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| What
will my job be like? Physical Therapist Assistants
(PTAs) assist the physical therapist in implementing treatment
programs, training patients in exercises and activities
of daily living, conducting treatments, and reporting
to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. |
| Where
could I work? Physical Therapist Assistants'
work may occur in a hospital, in a school system, in an
orthopedic or sports rehabilitation clinic, in the patient's
home through a home health agency, or in a hospital that
specializes in rehabilitating patients after serious injury
or disease.
The hours and days that physical therapist assistants
work vary, depending on the facility and whether they
are full or part-time employees.
Other workplace settings:
- Physical Therapist's Offices
- Nursing and Personal Care Facilities
- Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers
- Offices and Clinics of Physicians
- Sports Facilities
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| What
is the future of this career? Employment of
physical therapist assistants is expected to grow faster
than the average through the year 2008. |
Where
can I get the education and/or training?
- Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport
- Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury
in consortium with:
- Capital Community College, Hartford
- Manchester Community College, Manchester
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winstead
- Tunxis Community College, Farmington
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