Are Physical Therapist Assistants Being Phased Out?

Are you interested in becoming a physical therapist assistant but worry that they may be phased out? Whether it is a reduction in headcount or the emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), there may be some impact on the jobs within the medical field. Fortunately for physical therapist assistants, that is not how the future will unfold.

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) play an important role in the healthcare field. They work under the supervision of a physical therapist to help patients recover from certain illnesses, disabilities, and medical procedures. Becoming a PTA is a great career choice for those who want to give others a better quality of life and work in a larger healthcare team.

Are Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) Being Phased Out?

Physical therapist assistants are certainly not being phased out and are projected to hold even more jobs within the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PTAs job opportunities are projected to increase 19% over the coming decade.

PTAs are in demand because of advances in medicine and the increased age of the population. Seniors are at risk for physical injuries, which increases the need for physical therapy services. On top of that, PTAs are tasked with helping patients manage common chronic illnesses, like diabetes, that more individuals are diagnosed with every year.

Why Are PTAs Important?

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are vital medical workers who provide hands-on patient care and treatments. They work with a team of medical professionals to coordinate care for every patient. PTAs must communicate directly with their team members and patients to ensure the best, safest treatment possible. Some of the main reasons for PTA importance include:

Assistance for Physical Therapists

PTAs assist physical therapists, so the physical therapist can focus on the patient’s treatment planning. For example, if a physical therapist needs to focus on creating a treatment plan for a patient, then a PTA can step in to treat the patient. It is common for multiple PTAs to work under one physical therapist, so they can designate certain tasks for each PTA to complete, making for an effective team.

Physical therapist assistants have a limited scope of practice compared to physical therapists, so they cannot do some tasks. However, most PTAs can provide direct patient care, and they can do things like help a patient with a therapy exercise, provide massage therapy for a patient, or evaluate a patient’s therapy progress. In some cases, a PTA may work more closely with a patient than the leading physical therapist does. So, it’s up to the PTA to communicate with the physical therapist in charge about any patient’s concerns.

Educators for Patients

With many physical therapy treatments, patients are encouraged to perform some of their treatments at home. In those cases, a physical therapist assistant will teach the patient how to perform at-home therapies and answer any questions the patient may have about those treatments.
Having an excellent working knowledge of physical therapy, including common conditions and illnesses often treated in physical therapy, is essential for PTAs. For example, a PTA could share tips with a patient who has an injury to decrease the patient’s risk for a similar injury. PTAs should also be innovative since they may need to come up with different ways for a patient to perform specific exercises or treatments in certain circumstances. For example, suppose a patient recovering from a back surgery cannot stand due to previous ailments. In that case, the PTA may need to alter any standing exercises to be performed in a sitting or lying position.

Documenters of Medical Reports

While PTAs spend a lot of time providing patients with treatment, they also perform reporting and documentation. PTAs can perform assessments on patients and record their findings while the patient is present. Or they may record a patient’s progress during a treatment session after the initial conversation. All documentation will be given to the leading physical therapist, so being as detailed as possible will help revise a patient’s future treatment plan. For example, suppose some exercises seem too easy for a patient’s condition. In that case, the PTA can document that so that the physical therapist can add more advanced exercises for the PTA to try with the patient in a future visit.

Documentation is essential for PTAs who work in the home healthcare sector since a physical therapist may not always be present. In home health settings, PTAs visit a patient’s home by themselves and perform all tasks for a treatment session alone. A physical therapist cannot know how a patient’s treatment is carried out in these situations unless the PTAs provide detailed documentation.

Leaders for Future PTAs

Some physical therapist assistants become teachers of PTA students, leading the next generation. PTAs who become educators can do so through a college or university, or they may provide training for students in a clinical setting. For those who do not directly become educators, being able to mentor new PTAs is still essential. For example, newly hired PTAs may join a physical therapy practice at any time, and existing PTAs are usually responsible for helping those new employees integrate with their healthcare teams.

Why Become a PTA?

If you’d like to join the healthcare field relatively quickly, becoming a physical therapist assistant is a great career choice. As a PTA, you will hold fewer responsibilities than a physical therapist, but you will have an equal part in treating patients.

A Focus on Helping Others

One of the top reasons for people to enter a career path in physical therapy is the chance to help others improve their quality of life. After all, physical therapy focuses on helping people improve their range of motion, muscle strength, and body coordination, which can improve symptoms of specific acute and chronic conditions. Physical therapy might also help relieve pain and decrease swelling for some, leading to further relief.

Work in Multiple Environments

The work of a PTA is quite flexible, and PTAs can work in multiple settings, ranging from a private physical therapy practice to inside patient homes. PTAs who work on a hospital campus may also be able to travel from one hospital unit to another, offering even more variety in the work environment. Regardless of where PTAs work, though, they often work with varying equipment and learn how to use new equipment regularly.

Relatively Minimal Education Requirements

Compared to physical therapists, physical therapist assistants have much fewer educational requirements. In many cases, physical therapists must hold a doctoral degree, while PTAs must only complete a diploma program. Both roles require certification, but the tests for PTAs are not as complex. Becoming a PTA also takes less time and education than many other healthcare professions, like nurses and physicians.

How Do You Become a Physical Therapist Assistant?

To become a physical therapist assistant, you will complete an accredited post-secondary PTA program, like a 20-month PTA program at CBD College. You’ll learn the basics of physical therapy and health sciences, plus you’ll get to practice the skills you learn in a physical therapy clinical lab. Examination and become a licensed PTA. The Physical Therapist Assistant program will also prepare you for the NPTE and CLE licensure exams.

What Is the NPTE?

The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is a standard U.S. test that awards licensure to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Taking this test is required for those who want to become licensed PTAs after completing a PTA educational program.
The NPTE is a computerized test that must be completed in one sitting at a designated testing location. For PTAs. Sample questions for the exam can be found on the official Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website, which is the board handling all NPTE exams. Those not passing the exam can retake it twice within 12 months.

What Is the CLE?

The California Law Examination (CLE) is an additional test that PTAs must take to become licensed in California. This test includes 50 questions that must be taken within one hour, and this test is offered at the exact locations of most NPTE centers. This test focuses on your knowledge of California laws and regulations regarding physical therapy practices.

Physical Therapist Assistant 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.