Physical Therapy Assistant

 

Career Profile
Physical therapist assistants perform components of physical therapy procedures and related tasks selected by a supervising physical therapist. These healthcare providers assist physical therapists in providing services that help improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Other procedures performed under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, involve exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound. Physical therapist assistants record the patient's responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.

 

Job Outlook
Employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average through the year 2012. Demand for physical therapist assistants will continue to rise, in accordance with growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function. The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants vital. The large baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, further increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation. In addition, future medical developments should permit an increased percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating added demand for therapy services.

 

Salary
Based on information obtained from the Texas Workforce Commission's Wage Information Network from 21 local employers in the Austin-San Marcos area, entry level wages averaged $14.30 per hour in 2002. That wage has increased an average of 30 to 35 cents per year since 1997. Based on recent conversations with our Healthcare Partners the current entry level salary is $15.06

Physical Therapy Assistant

 

Important Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills
• A desire to help people in need
• Responsible
• Patient
• Good communication skills
• Willing to take directions
• Able to work as part of a team
• Caring
• Ingenuity
• Imagination in adapting activities to individual needs
• High ethical and moral standards
• Values diversity

 

Physical Therapy Assistant

 

Educational Programs

Austin Community College

 

License/Certification
Licensure is required in the State of Texas under the provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act 4512E and must be obtained through successful completion of a national exam before the candidate may practice Physical Therapy.

 

Length of Training/Requirements
Students should expect to spend 2 years, including summers, for a total of 6 semesters to complete the required course work for the program.

 

Location of Classes
Lectures and labs are held at the ACC Eastview campus, building 9000, located at 3401 Webberville Road.

Physical Therapy Assistant

 

Seton HealthCare Network
W. 38th1/2 Street
Austin, Texas
www.seton.org

 

HealthSouth Rehabilitation
Hospital of Austin
1215 Red River
Austin, Texas 78701
www.healthsouth.com

 

St. David HealthCare Partnership
900 East 30th Street,
Suite 109
Austin, Texas
www.sdhcp.com