3 answers
Josie
Student
Jamestown, Indiana
1
Question
Updated
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What job would be good if looking to go back to school to become a PTA ?
I currently hold a bachelors degree in health and movement studies. I am looking to become a physical therapist assistant. I’ll need to go back to school for it, but currently I am in need for a job. What careers should i be looking at if PTA is what I want to do at the end of the road?
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3 answers
Lauren T
Physical Therapist Assistant
24
Answers
Joliet, Illinois
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Josie!
I am currently a PTA. My path was somewhat similar to yours. I had an unrelated Bachelor's degree and job in an unrelated field. I wanted a new career in physical therapy and went back to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. I took on the role of Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech). There are other names for this role, including: PT Aide, PT Tech. If you go on www.indeed.com and search for "physical therapy tech," or "rehab tech," these would be similar roles that I would recommend if you are interested in pursuing PTA school.
A rehab tech is an entry-level position but you will gain valuable experience in an active physical therapy setting. I maintained this role while I was a PTA student and found that the work allowed me to supplement and reinforce the learning I was receiving in school. As a rehab tech, my job description included cleaning treatment tables and equipment, setting up ice/heat/electrical stimulation/ultrasound on patients, assisting with scheduling of patients, demonstrating exercises or setting up equipment in the PT gym, laundry and restocking of supplies, and helping with any other clinic or therapist needs (short of hands-on treatment of any kind).
This type of job title and work experience on your school application/resume will demonstrate your commitment to the industry, solidifying your interest so the program knows that you are serious about a future in physical therapy. And the experience you will gain will be helpful while you're learning more about the techniques and principles you'll be taught in PTA school. Not to mention, it's pretty fun! And satisfying.
In my case, once I completed my PTA program, the company that I worked for as a rehab tech hired me on as a new grad PTA.
There's additional information you can find on www.APTA.org. Or you can search for your state's chapter: https://inapta.org.
If you're new to this industry, it's totally ok! I think I put too much pressure on myself to know more than I did because I'd already had a formal education and work experience - just in a different industry. Enjoy the learning experience of it! I'm still learning all the time and I love that about this industry. Every therapist that you encounter comes from a different background and has a different toolbox of experience and you can learn plenty from each one of them.
Search for the job title: "Physical Therapy Tech," "Physical Therapy Aide," "Rehabilitation Technician," or similar.
I am currently a PTA. My path was somewhat similar to yours. I had an unrelated Bachelor's degree and job in an unrelated field. I wanted a new career in physical therapy and went back to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. I took on the role of Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech). There are other names for this role, including: PT Aide, PT Tech. If you go on www.indeed.com and search for "physical therapy tech," or "rehab tech," these would be similar roles that I would recommend if you are interested in pursuing PTA school.
A rehab tech is an entry-level position but you will gain valuable experience in an active physical therapy setting. I maintained this role while I was a PTA student and found that the work allowed me to supplement and reinforce the learning I was receiving in school. As a rehab tech, my job description included cleaning treatment tables and equipment, setting up ice/heat/electrical stimulation/ultrasound on patients, assisting with scheduling of patients, demonstrating exercises or setting up equipment in the PT gym, laundry and restocking of supplies, and helping with any other clinic or therapist needs (short of hands-on treatment of any kind).
This type of job title and work experience on your school application/resume will demonstrate your commitment to the industry, solidifying your interest so the program knows that you are serious about a future in physical therapy. And the experience you will gain will be helpful while you're learning more about the techniques and principles you'll be taught in PTA school. Not to mention, it's pretty fun! And satisfying.
In my case, once I completed my PTA program, the company that I worked for as a rehab tech hired me on as a new grad PTA.
There's additional information you can find on www.APTA.org. Or you can search for your state's chapter: https://inapta.org.
If you're new to this industry, it's totally ok! I think I put too much pressure on myself to know more than I did because I'd already had a formal education and work experience - just in a different industry. Enjoy the learning experience of it! I'm still learning all the time and I love that about this industry. Every therapist that you encounter comes from a different background and has a different toolbox of experience and you can learn plenty from each one of them.
Lauren recommends the following next steps:
Sharie Richardson, PMP
Management and Advisory Consulting
10
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Sharie’s Answer
Hi Josie,
Before becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), you can gain valuable experience and skills in a variety of jobs related to healthcare and physical fitness. These roles can provide you with a foundation of knowledge and practical experience that may be beneficial in a PTA role:
Physical Therapy Aide: These roles often require a high school diploma and allow you to work in a physical therapy setting under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. You'll gain first-hand experience with the daily operations of physical therapy.
Medical Assistant: Working as a medical assistant can give you experience in healthcare, patient care, and medical terminology. These roles often involve both administrative and clinical duties.
Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer: These roles can provide experience in leading individuals through exercises and understanding human movement and fitness. These usually require certifications that can be acquired in a short amount of time.
Rehabilitation Aide: Working in a rehabilitation center can provide experience with patients recovering from surgeries or injuries, similar to the work of a PTA.
Massage Therapist: As a massage therapist, you can gain knowledge about muscles and soft tissue manipulation, which can be beneficial to a PTA role.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A CNA provides basic care to patients and assists them with daily activities. This role can help you develop patient care skills.
Home Health Aide: Home health aides provide in-home care for disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired individuals. This role can provide experience in patient care and working with a diverse patient population.
When considering the roles above, be sure to determine what your bandwidth is for additional education/training that may be required.
Before becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), you can gain valuable experience and skills in a variety of jobs related to healthcare and physical fitness. These roles can provide you with a foundation of knowledge and practical experience that may be beneficial in a PTA role:
Physical Therapy Aide: These roles often require a high school diploma and allow you to work in a physical therapy setting under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. You'll gain first-hand experience with the daily operations of physical therapy.
Medical Assistant: Working as a medical assistant can give you experience in healthcare, patient care, and medical terminology. These roles often involve both administrative and clinical duties.
Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer: These roles can provide experience in leading individuals through exercises and understanding human movement and fitness. These usually require certifications that can be acquired in a short amount of time.
Rehabilitation Aide: Working in a rehabilitation center can provide experience with patients recovering from surgeries or injuries, similar to the work of a PTA.
Massage Therapist: As a massage therapist, you can gain knowledge about muscles and soft tissue manipulation, which can be beneficial to a PTA role.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A CNA provides basic care to patients and assists them with daily activities. This role can help you develop patient care skills.
Home Health Aide: Home health aides provide in-home care for disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired individuals. This role can provide experience in patient care and working with a diverse patient population.
When considering the roles above, be sure to determine what your bandwidth is for additional education/training that may be required.
Henry Chigozie Nwilo
Digital Artist
3
Answers
Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria
Updated
Henry Chigozie’s Answer
Hello Josie
If you're planning to go back to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), you might consider jobs that align with your future career goals and provide relevant experience. Here are some options:
1. Rehabilitation Aide/Technician: Working as a rehab aide in a physical therapy clinic or hospital can give you hands-on experience in the field, familiarizing you with the environment and daily tasks of PTAs.
2. Medical Assistant: This role provides experience in patient care, medical terminology, and healthcare administration, which are beneficial for a future PTA.
3. Fitness Trainer/Personal Trainer: Working in fitness and wellness can help you understand body mechanics, exercise routines, and client interaction, all of which are relevant to physical therapy.
4. Patient Care Technician (PCT): This role involves direct patient care under the supervision of nurses and doctors, providing valuable experience in a clinical setting.
5. Home Health Aide: Working with patients in their homes offers experience in patient care and rehabilitation, similar to some aspects of a PTA's role.
6. Volunteer at a Physical Therapy Clinic: Volunteering can provide exposure to the field without the commitment of a full-time job, and it can be a valuable addition to your resume.
7. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): This position involves direct patient care, helping with daily activities and basic medical tasks, which can be a stepping stone to a PTA career.
These jobs not only offer relevant experience but also help you build a network within the healthcare field, which can be advantageous when you pursue your PTA education and career.
If you're planning to go back to school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), you might consider jobs that align with your future career goals and provide relevant experience. Here are some options:
1. Rehabilitation Aide/Technician: Working as a rehab aide in a physical therapy clinic or hospital can give you hands-on experience in the field, familiarizing you with the environment and daily tasks of PTAs.
2. Medical Assistant: This role provides experience in patient care, medical terminology, and healthcare administration, which are beneficial for a future PTA.
3. Fitness Trainer/Personal Trainer: Working in fitness and wellness can help you understand body mechanics, exercise routines, and client interaction, all of which are relevant to physical therapy.
4. Patient Care Technician (PCT): This role involves direct patient care under the supervision of nurses and doctors, providing valuable experience in a clinical setting.
5. Home Health Aide: Working with patients in their homes offers experience in patient care and rehabilitation, similar to some aspects of a PTA's role.
6. Volunteer at a Physical Therapy Clinic: Volunteering can provide exposure to the field without the commitment of a full-time job, and it can be a valuable addition to your resume.
7. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): This position involves direct patient care, helping with daily activities and basic medical tasks, which can be a stepping stone to a PTA career.
These jobs not only offer relevant experience but also help you build a network within the healthcare field, which can be advantageous when you pursue your PTA education and career.