Across the country, there are a lot of online physical therapy programs that are offered to college students looking for a profession in this particular medical field. A physical therapy assistant (PTA) job requires at least a two year degree certification. Several online physical therapy assistant programs can also help graduates find a job after passing the license exam.

Advantages of Online Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

In most cases, accredited online programs are the ones who give college students their preferred curriculum schedules. This is very convenient for the student as they no longer need to visit the school campus weekly just to get a schedule on a subject. They are able to effortlessly arrange their classes according to their schedule based on their jobs and family obligations. These online programs are ideal for those with very busy lifestyles.

Programs and Training

It is necessary to keep in mind that students will not pass their studies on a two year course just by doing web based courses. It is required to have practical knowledge that you will only learn from hands on training in a PTA clinic. Hands on training with patients is a very important requirement to understand how a PTA job works.

Many online physical therapy assistant programs would only need one week of hands on training typically by the end of the term. Various other online programs may only need students to attend Saturday and Sunday laboratory work every month.

Find A Licensed Online Physical Therapy Assistant Program

The first thing to do to turn into a PTA is sign up for a licensed online physical therapy assistant program. It is crucial for students to research institutions which have been authorized by CAPTE, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Once an online course program has become accredited by CAPTE, all of its curriculum will meet the basic, but important teaching objectives with this health occupation.

This also shows that the staff is totally competent and that the training program offers all of the essential materials for an excellent learning experience. Accredited online programs are required to reveal their college graduating rates, license test passing rates, and even their job hiring rates.

In order for students to be able to obtain a PTA licensing test, they have to first earn a two year associate’s college degree from a CAPTE licensed online program. Passing the licensure exam is important since it is required to get a professional license to PTA practice. By the way, only PTA graduates from CAPTE accredited schools are accepted to work with patients that are under Medicare.

Courses Offered in PTA

These online programs instruct learners the basics of anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, orthopedics and many different forms of therapy procedures.

Supplementary important courses can include record keeping, medical terms and speech training. All these lessons help prepare students for work in hospitals, therapy clinics, nursing facilities, schools, pension communities and fitness clubs.

The lab training will show students how to utilize the sophisticated apparatus and equipment such as tilt tables, massage tables, traction tables, ultrasound, and electro-therapy machines.

Requirements for Graduation

Majority of online programs expect students to achieve a general class average point of3.0 to pass. More often than not, these classes require students to gain at least a minimum of 74 hours of coursework to graduate. Work hours done in clinical laboratories for hands on training is also counted for to qualify for an associate’s degree.

Duties of a PTA

Online PTA programs prepare students for a profession as a highly proficient licensed medical care staff that works well under the guidance and direction of a licensed physical therapist.

Physical therapy assistants assist patients deal with physical disorders such as the following:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Strokes
• Arthritis
• Cerebral Palsy
• Sports Injuries
• Work Injuries
• Fractures
• Developmental Delays

Career Outlook for Physical Therapy Assistants

The job demand according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data is up to 45% from 2010-2020 which is a lot faster than any other jobs in the healthcare industry.

PTA jobs that are focused on helping elderly people are very much in demand today. The average annual salary for a physical therapy assistant back in 2010 is around $37, 700.

Looking for a PTA job? With this guide you should be able to find an online physical therapy assistant program that will get you started on your PTA career.