4 Basic Regulations For Physical Therapy Assistants

Regulations for physical therapy assistants include the following: education, clinical rotations, licensure exam, and continuing education.

Physical therapy assistants (PTA) work alongside physical therapists in assisting physically-injured patients to recover. Anyone can easily become a PTA; although, there’s a physical therapy practice act which governs this kind of profession.

Education

Associate’s Degree Program is a required course that one needs to complete before applying for a license as a physical therapy assistant. Its fundamental focus is on the treatment methods. The program’s coursework, which lasts for about two years, might possibly consist of medical terminology, anatomy, pathology, human development, rehabilitation procedures, rehabilitation exercises, as well as healthcare law. The program’s sessions are also composed of both academic study as well as hands-on work.

Clinical rotations

The students will go through clinical rotations in the course of the second half of their last year in the program. During the clinical rotations, the theoretical knowledge of the students will be applied and tested on real-life situations wherein they will be under the supervision of a qualified physical therapist. Students will be carrying out several tasks such as treatment administrations, health teachings, as well as documentations. Moreover, the students will also have the chance to experience the numerous sub-specialties in this field of medicine which consist of geriatrics, sports medicine, as well as pediatrics. These clinical rotations are not only a necessary part for students before they graduate from the program, but the experience will also allow them to develop their capabilities. Moreover, most employers also oblige their applicants to have experience prior to being hired.

Licensure exam

The physical therapy assistant licensure examination obliges applicants to have basic entry level abilities and proficiency before they can acquire a license. An applicant should have proof of having completed the Associate’s Degree Program from an affiliated school. While the examination is computer-based and lasts for four-and-a-half hours, it is composed entirely of 200 multiple-choice questions that include pathology, physiology, anatomy, treatment and documentation, and professional skills. No penalty is given for each incorrect answer, and the scores range from 200-800 in which the passing mark is 600.

Continuing education

The licenses of physical therapy assistants are only good for about 3-5 years, depending on which state it is recorded. Licenses are renewed once expired. Nonetheless, the applicants are obligated to take continuing education for them to remain eligible for the renewal of their licenses. These continuing education programs are converted into hours. Understand that each territory has varying numbers of mandatory hours for PTA continuing education. Additionally, some states also oblige their physical therapy assistants to undergo further trainings that involve updates on occupational health and safety or blood-borne pathogens.

Being a physical therapist assistant is never an easy profession because the occupation requires intense physical activities. In addition to that, PTAs must not only be physically fit at all times, but they must also have remarkable writing and communication skills. You need to be able to communicate well with your patients in order to let them understand their status and how both you and the patient can help each other in accomplishing the best treatment goal. You should also be able to communicate well with the other members of the health team; thus, writing skills is also very important in documenting your treatment activities with the patient.

Written by Daina W. Morrison.To find out more about the physical therapy practice act, please visit http://www.physicaltherapypracticeact.org