Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Schools: What to Look for
Key Takeaways
Selecting a quality Physical Therapist Assistant program requires evaluating accreditation, program outcomes, and practical considerations including location and clinical experience opportunities. CAPTE accreditation is essential for eligibility to take the national licensure examination.
- CAPTE accreditation is critical; unaccredited programs prevent graduates from taking national licensure exams
- Program outcomes including graduation rates and licensure exam pass rates indicate quality and effectiveness
- Typical PTA programs are 2 years (five semesters) and most are full-time with some online course options
- Clinical experience and established healthcare provider relationships are essential for hands-on patient care
- Considerations include school location relative to home/work, tuition costs, and program structure flexibility
Is Financial Aid Available?
Many schools do offer some form of aid, from grants and federal loans to work-study, and some even have specific aid for those in the military or who may have a disability. If assistance is given and is not listed on the school website, contacting someone from the school to ask is also always an option.
Is the Curriculum Flexible?
Many people have established routines, as well as lives and family matters that often take priority over education. As such, it’s important that schools offer a flexible curriculum for these kinds of students.
Others aspects of importance include the location of the school to home and work, tuition costs, the length of the program, graduate outcomes, the application processes, and what types of courses are offered in the actual program.
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary & Career Outlook
As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 41 percent in the next seven years (2012-2022), much faster than many other occupations. Physical therapy assistants often work in acute-care hospitals and other areas, especially in highly-populated urban and suburban areas. The median wage for those in the physical therapist assistant field, also according to the BLS, is $52,160 as of May 2012.
Finding a Job as a Physical Therapist Assistant
As your studies wind down, it will be time to begin the job search. Here are some important avenues to a successful outcome:
- Job Fairs: Attending a career fair event is an excellent way to make connections and obtain job prospects. One-on-one interviews are often available on the spot, and applications and information is provided by employers to graduates seeking full-time and part-time work, internships, and/or experience.
- Job Search: At reputable schools, the career services department can assist in developing a program-related job search strategy; this includes resumes, cover letters, networking skills, interviewing tips, professionalism, and salary discussion techniques.
- Clinical Rotations: Finding a school that has established relationships with leading healthcare providers is essential in obtaining hands-on experience with actual patients.
- Partners: No matter how long it has been since graduation, many colleges offer assistance to alumni whenever they require it. This helps with furthering your education, obtaining new certificates, interview preparation, seeking new opportunities, and much more.
Helping Out for June 3, 2015: Heroes of Health Science, a group of medical assistant students at ECPI Universi... https://t.co/3yXONQV9N4
— MedicalResume (@MedicalResume) June 3, 2015
Want to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)?
Here’s How to Get Started.
Education is a lifelong commitment and success is often found in those that continue to explore their career and look for more ways to further enhance their knowledge and skills. At ECPI University, students can find themselves immersed in an enriching environment that encourages the improvement of their professional and personal life through education. Admission advisers at EPCI University can be reached by email, phone, and live chat. Contact us today for more information on how you could earn an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy Assisting in as little as 1.5 years through our year-round program! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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