How Long Does It Take to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Are you interested in becoming a physical therapist assistant? Physical therapist assistants are healthcare professionals who work in a clinical setting with patients. Under the guidance of a physical therapist, they help patients by promoting healthier habits, pain relief, and increased range of motion. Becoming a physical therapist assistant is a great way to enter the field of physical therapy and help others without spending 6 or more years to become a physical therapist.

What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?

The responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant may vary, but they typically focus on helping patients reach their physical goals. The work of a physical therapist assistant can include both hands-on work with patients and documentation, during, or after seeing a patient.

Assist Physical Therapists

One of the most important roles of a physical therapist assistant is helping their supervising physical therapist. A physical therapist (PA) will create a treatment plan for patients that the physical therapist assistant (PTA) will implement. PTAs must work closely with their PAs and not deviate from the instructions given so that patients are safe, and injuries are avoided.

Work with Patients in a Clinical Setting

Physical therapist assistants work one-on-one with patients to improve the patients’ mobility, strength, and muscle functions. PTAs observe patients and understand what limitations they may have, then implement ways to work around or improve those limitations. For example, if the treatment plan for a patient requires them to lift weight to improve arm strength but the patient cannot grip a weight securely, instead the PTA can attach a wrist weight to the patient’s arm.

Provide Hands-On Therapy

PTAs work hands-on with patients, meaning they assist patients during physical therapy stretching and exercise. PTAs can assist patients by maneuvering the patient in and out of stretches, demonstrating to the patient how to use pieces of equipment, or even massage patients as part of their treatment plan.

Collaborate with Other Healthcare Workers

Physical therapist assistants must communicate with other healthcare professionals aside from their supervising physical therapists. For example, a PTA may call a patient’s primary physician, under the direction of a physical therapist, to ask questions related to the patient’s projected recovery time for an injury or condition. PTAs might also communicate about the progress of a patient in a physical therapy program with other members of the patient’s healthcare team. For example, a PTA who works in a nursing facility may let nurses and nursing aids know what the patient’s limitations and current capabilities are.

Educate Patients

Some physical therapy plans require patients to perform exercises outside of the physical therapy office, and it’s part of the PTA’s job to educate patients on proper form. It’s also part of the PTA’s job to teach patients and their family members or caregivers about any post-treatment restrictions and care that the patient should pay attention to. PTAs can do this by writing down information, demonstrating exercise techniques, and talking with their patients to make sure they  know that they are part of their own treatment plans.

Document Patient Progress

Physical therapist assistants fill out paperwork before, during, and after visiting with each of their patients. This includes documenting a patient’s progress during treatment, and also include filling out intake forms or dismissal forms. PTAs should know how to interview patients to get the information needed for proper documentation and should feel comfortable using any technology provided by their employers to complete their documentation.

Modify Treatment Plans as Needed

PTAs and PAs often work together to modify a patient’s treatment plan after observing a patient in a physical therapy session. Sometimes, a patient will progress toward a goal faster than expected, so PTAs can communicate about changing the ending date of a physical therapy treatment plan. Other times, patients may progress slower than expected, so PTAs can advise to add extra therapy sessions into the treatment plan for the patient to make more progress.

Provide Support to Patients During Therapy Sessions

Physical therapy can be quite difficult for many patients, and it’s important that PTAs understand that and guide a patient who needs encouragement. A patient may not be able to complete an exercise during a physical therapy session, so PTAs can support the patient by physically lending a hand. For example, a PTA can help a patient lower weight if the patient can lift the weight but not lower it to complete an exercise.

Where Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Work?

While most PTAs work in hospitals and outpatient clinics, there are some options for PTAs to work in other environments where they can specialize in specific types of patients.

Hospitals

Physical therapist assistants who work in hospitals usually work in acute physical therapy, which is therapy meant to support patients for a short amount of time. PTAs usually help patients learn how to move in a hospital bed, move in and out of the bed, and safely walk in a hospital setting. PTAs working in acute physical therapy can also help hospital patients improve their strength and range of motion by implementing physical exercises.

Other PTAs who work in a hospital may work in inpatient physical therapy or rehabilitation. This is therapy that is best for patients who have recently sustained an injury or illness that has affected the person’s physical abilities, or for patients who must recover from surgery. Typically, PTAs will only work with these patients in the hospital setting for a short time before patients may be transferred to outpatient care.

Outpatient Clinics

Outpatient clinics are another common place for PTAs to work, and they are a place that offers outpatient physical therapy given to patients with regular clinic visits. Treatment may last for only a few sessions or for many sessions over many months, but it focuses on achieving a long-term goal for a patient. For example, if a patient has suffered an injury that makes it difficult to walk, the patient may benefit from regularly visiting an outpatient physical therapy clinic to build up the strength and muscle function needed.

Nursing Facilities

Long-term care facilities, also known as nursing facilities, employ PAs and PTAs to work with residents of the facility. These facilities act as a permanent or temporary residence for patients, but they always provide a safe environment for patients with certain conditions or disabilities to live with or recover from their conditions. PTAs in these environments typically work with patients over a long period of time.

The Home Health Sector

Some PTAs work in the home health sector, which offers healthcare services right in patient homes. As a home health worker, they must transport their equipment in and out of patient homes and be able to adapt to a variety of environments. Additionally, some home health PTAs might show patients how to navigate their homes safely with any disabilities or restrictions the patients may have.

Schools

Schools are another place of employment for PTAs where they specialize in working with children. Typically, school-based physical therapy is only available to children who have disabilities and limitations that restrict their participation in educational environments. For example, children with a disability like cerebral palsy would be able to join a physical therapy session in a school, but a child with a temporary bone fracture may not.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?

Becoming a physical therapist assistant may take less time than one would think, and there are even some available programs to become a PTA in as little as 20 months. To become a licensed PTA, you will need to complete an accredited PTA program and then take an examination. The good news is that CBD College offers an accredited PTA program.

Attending an Accredited PTA Program

PTA programs are available for you to take on a hybrid schedule with both online and in-person classes. CBD College supplies you with the skills you need to become a successful physical therapist assistant, including how to work with patients in a clinical setting, such as with courses in a training lab.

Earning Licensure

To gain your licensure, you’ll take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants. Retaking the exam is allowed if necessary, and up to three retakes per year for up to two years is permitted. After gaining your PTA license, you may need to take some continuing education courses to maintain your license.

PTA School Program

You’re already making a difference through the work you love. Now, take it to the next level with the Physical Therapist Assistant program from CBD College. It’s flexible, affordable, and uniquely tailored to build on the skills and experience you’ve acquired professionally.

Contact us now to learn more.