| Whether you are fresh out of high school or are | | | | applicants graduating. |
| interested in upgrading your education, it's difficult to | | | | Although some Physical Therapy assistants are |
| pin point exactly which field you should pursue. 4 | | | | trained on the job, the majority is required to have |
| year University educations are out of reach for those | | | | an associate's degree. To obtain an associate |
| with families or individuals who don't wish to be | | | | degree, you are required to complete 4 semesters at |
| saddled with huge student loans. Taking a course to | | | | an accredited institution. In some states, a license is |
| learn a trade has become the hot thing to do when | | | | required to work as Physical Therapist Assistant. |
| upgrading your education. Trades allow you to learn | | | | There are specific areas of specializing that an |
| the skills to perform a specific job. When narrowing | | | | assistant can focus on, including geriatrics or |
| down your choices, consider the many job vacancies | | | | pediatrics. |
| for a certain position and choose from there. | | | | The outlook for employment upon completion of the |
| Currently, one of the most popular careers paths is | | | | program is extremely good, as the supply of |
| that of a Physical Therapy Assistant. | | | | assistants far outweighs the demand. The number |
| Physical Therapy Assistants perform their jobs under | | | | of positions has increased exponentially over the past |
| the supervision of a Physical Therapist. Physical | | | | 3 years, and is predicted to grow from 107,000 |
| Therapy is a popular option to assist in the recovery | | | | positions currently across the US to 137,000 positions |
| of chronic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or other | | | | by 2016. The average salary earned by a |
| pain and injury issues. The therapy involves | | | | professional in this field starts at approximately $23 |
| exercises, ultrasound therapy, and in some cases, | | | | per hour and goes up from there. |
| massage. The assistant to a Physical Therapist | | | | Although the need for Physical Therapy assistants is |
| evaluates and assists patients by performing | | | | high, the educational institutions that offer the course |
| exercises, refilling supplies, and helping where | | | | are smaller in number than needed. Programs across |
| needed. | | | | the USA reach maximum capacity each intake, and |
| As the US undergoes Health Care Reform, the | | | | there is a need to increase the intake in order to fill |
| industry is booming. The baby boomers in the | | | | job vacancies. |
| USA are aging, and there are bigger requirement for | | | | As our population ages, the need for health care will |
| services such as Physical therapy. As well, our belief | | | | increase exponentially rather than level off. |
| systems are more open to alternative approaches to | | | | Careers in the health care field are recession proof in |
| healing, whereas 20 years ago the idea of Physical | | | | most cases, as there is always going to be people |
| Therapy would have been scoffed at. The demand | | | | who get sick and end up in hospitals or care |
| for Physical Therapy Assistants is growing to the | | | | facilities. A career path such as Psychical Therapy |
| point that the jobs available outnumber the qualified | | | | Assistant is the beginning of a long and fruitful career. |