Physical Therapy Assistant

1. Physical Therapy
Assistant

2. What is a Physical Therapy Assistant?
• A PTA or PhysicalTherapy assistant objective is to assist patients to improve
increased mobility and strength, and to ease pain.
• Under direct supervision PhysicalTherapy Assistants can assist with the
following responsibilities:
• Propose treatment goals and objectives
• Administer treatment programs as established by PhysicalTherapists
• Massage
• Heat/cold packs
• Exercises programs-gain strength and flexibility
• Implement patient treatment plans with guidance from the PhysicalTherapist
• Instruct patients on physical therapy interventions, modalities and home exercise
programs

3. Skills
Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Active Listener
• CriticalThinker
• Team Player
• Assertiveness
Compassion
• Positive Outlook
• Relating to client situations
• Collaboration
• Motivation
Detailed Oriented
• Measuring range of motion
• Observation
• Assessing client pain tolerance
• Prioritizing
Multitasking
• Organization
• Handling multiple clients
• Time management
• Coordinating with physical therapist to
report any changes necessary

4. •High level of social
interaction
•Responsible for health and
safety of clients
•Work in a group or as part of
a team
•Write letters and e-mails
•Working indoors
•May be exposed to diseases
and may wear protective
gear
•Working closely with co-
workers
•May have to wear a uniform
• Set schedule per week
• Part or Full time
available
• May require to work
evenings and
weekends
• Must be exact-no errors
• Make decisions daily
which strongly impact
patients
• Usually can set tasks for
the day with consult of
supervisor
• Day must revolve around
appointments Work
Performance Hours/Travel
Interpersonal
Relationships
Physical Work
Conditions
Work Conditions

5. • Can complete school in 2 years
• Excellent job salary
• Being able to set your own hours
• Can work in a variety of environments
PROS
• Physically and Mentally demanding
• Long hours
• Working under a PhysicalTherapist
• May have to work with difficult patients
• Lots of paperwork
CONS

6. Education
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 2-year degree-can obtain 4-year degree if desired
• State license
• Take the National PhysicalTherapy Examination
(NPTE)
• Some schools offer specific PhysicalTherapy
Assistant programs

7. Annual Wages for Physical Therapy Assistants
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
Arizona
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale
United States
25% Median 75%

8. Growth potential of Physical Therapy
Assistants
• According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Growth over the next 10 years looks to be an
increase of 33% from 2019-2029
• Must faster than average

9. Schooling in Arizona
Arizona-Gateway Community College-Phoenix AZ-Washington Campus
• Requirements:
• Official college/university transcripts received by GWCC Admissions and Records
• Completed Student Information Form submitted to Admissions and Records
• Documentation of completion of ENG101 or ENG102 and BIO160 or BIO201 with a 3.0 GPA and a
minimum grade of B in each course.
• Completed application to program
• Admission requirements-Forty (40) hours of volunteer/work/observation in physical therapy
practice settings supervised by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant are
required to apply for admission into the PTA Program. A minimum of 20 hours in an inpatient
(hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation hospital) setting is required.
• Background check
• Formal application and admission to the program by a point system is required
• Clinical Health and Safety Requirements
Program cost- Associate in Applied Science in PhysicalTherapist Assisting: $9,517 - $12,285*

10. Schooling outside of Arizona
Baker College-Michigan
Requirements:
78 credit hours-2yr average-needed to graduate
• Prerequisites: 28 hours
• PhysicalTherapy Assistant Major: 50 hours
• Cost ofTuition:
• 2020-2021 Tuition & Fees
• Undergraduate Degree-$415/per credit hour
• Premium tuition-health sciences courses(lower level) -$20/credit hour-(upper level)-$90/credit hour
• Grants, loans, scholarships available-financial aid

11. Jobs! Where are they?
Most Jobs available for PTA’S
• LasVegas
• Texas
• Ohio
• Florida
• California
• Illinois
Least Jobs available for PTA’S
• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Montana
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• North and South Dakota
• Maine
• Delaware,Vermont, Rhode Island,
and New Mexico

12. Links
• Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy
• https://azcis.intocareers.org/materials/portal/home.html
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/
• https://www.masmedicalstaffing.com/
• https://www.bls.gov/