In healthcare, physical therapy is a vital part of healing and rehabilitation. When a patient suffers an injury that affects the joints, back, or limbs or goes through a major surgical procedure, they need to take time to rebuild their strength and endurance. Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT) use carefully planned and executed stretches and exercises to help patients regain flexibility after an injury, illness, or surgery.
These doctors work in physical therapy offices and have a team of people around them helping them support their patients. Physical therapy assistants are some of the professionals who work in these offices alongside the therapists, performing much of the direct patient work. If you’re interested in working in the physical therapy space but want to start your career quickly without the long process of going to school for physical therapy, then consider becoming certified as a physical therapy assistant. This guide will walk you through the process, highlighting not only how to become a physical therapy assistant but also what these professionals do.
What Is a Physical Therapy Assistant?
What Do Physical Therapy Aides Do?
Physical Therapy Assistant Education Requirements
How Long Does It Take to Become a Physical Therapy Assistant?
Start Your Training as a Physical Therapy Aide Today!
What Is a Physical Therapy Assistant?
A physical therapy assistant is a licensed professional who works under the direct supervision of a physical therapist to implement patient care plans. They collaborate with the doctors they work for to implement and modify treatment plans based on a patient’s progress. These professionals are valued members of a physical therapy team and play a vital role in helping people improve movement and strength after a serious injury or medical issue.
What Do Physical Therapy Aides Do?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, a physical therapy assistant, also known as a physical therapy technician or physical therapy aide, helps physical therapists treat their patients. The therapist examines the patient and creates a treatment plan, and the physical therapy assistant works with the patient to perform the prescribed exercises. Assistants also educate patients about their at-home exercises to support their care. In addition, physical therapy assistants may:
- Collect health history and data from patients
- Provide feedback to the physical therapist about a patient’s progress
- Show patients how to perform stretches and exercises
- Operate physical therapy equipment
- Sanitize equipment and furniture between patients
- Measure patient progress
- Prepare medical reports
In many offices, the physical therapy aide spends more time directly working with patients than the physical therapist does, but both work together to support the healing and recovery of patients.
Physical Therapy Assistant Education Requirements
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates physical therapy assistants need an associated degree from a program accredited through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. These programs will teach anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, giving you a clear understanding of the human body and how it works to create strength and movement.
A physical therapy assistant training program is three-quarters of the time spent in the classroom or lab and one-quarter of the time spent in a clinical internship. This internship provides hands-on experience working with patients and physical therapists. In general, most programs have 16 weeks of hands-on clinical work. During your internship, you will work full-time in a physical therapy clinic, while receiving guidance and instruction from physical therapists and assistants.
Every state in the United States also requires physical therapy assistants to obtain certification to work in this field. To get certified, you will need to take the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapy assistants, which the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy administers. Some states have additional examination requirements covering state-specific regulations.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Physical Therapy Assistant?
With a traditional course of study, you need about two years to become a physical therapy assistant. Most associate degree programs take two full years, or four semesters, to complete. Taking summer classes or an accelerated program can speed this up.
Alternatively, as you consider how to become a physical therapy aide, consider a streamlined approach. Advanced eClinical Training’s physical therapy technician certification program provides an immersive learning experience to give you the skills to start your career in this field. This program, which you can complete in as little as eight weeks, prepares you to take the American Medical Certification Association’s industry certification exam, which makes you a nationally recognized Certified Physical Therapy Technician. This is a faster way to start working alongside physical therapists to help patients heal and thrive.
Start Your Training as a Physical Therapy Aide Today!
If a career as a physical therapy aide appeals to you, getting physical therapy technician certification is a good starting point. Advanced eClinical Training offers a fully online certification program for physical therapy aides that would get you ready for your new career quickly. With this flexible program, you can earn your physical therapy technician certification in as little as eight weeks. Certification can also boost your application to physical therapy programs, should you choose to pursue additional education in the future.
The Advanced eClinical Training Certified Physical Therapy Technician course prepares you to take the American Medical Certification Association examination, which opens the door for many entry-level opportunities. Our online medical certifications provide flexibility along with expert training to prepare you well for your future career. For many pre-med students or those interested in a career in the physical therapy field, this streamlined, self-directed course is a great starting point. Enroll today and start training for a fulfilling career in healthcare as a physical therapy assistant.
