Four Fundamental 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 together with physical therapists in assisting physically-injured patients to get better. Anybody can easily become a PTA; although, there is a physical therapy practice act that regulates this kind of occupation.

Education

Associate's Degree Program is a mandatory program that one should complete before applying for a license as a physical therapy assistant. Its main focus is on the rehabilitation methods. The program's syllabus, which lasts for about two years, may consist of medical terminology, physiology, pathology, human development, treatment methods, rehabilitation exercises, and healthcare law. The course's sessions are also composed of both academic study as well as hands-on work.

Clinical rotations

The students will go through clinical rotations during the second half of their last year in the program. Throughout 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 professional physical therapist. Students will be carrying out various tasks such as treatment administrations, healthcare teachings, and documentations. Furthermore, the students will also have the chance to experience the numerous sub-specialties in this branch of medicine which comprise of geriatrics, sports medicine, as well as pediatrics. These clinical rotations are not only a mandatory part for students before they finish the course, but the experience will also allow them to develop their proficiencies. Furthermore, most employers also want their applicants to have experience before being employed.

Licensure examination

The physical therapy assistant licensure examination entails applicants to have fundamental entry level abilities and proficiency before they can acquire a license. An applicant must have proof of having completed the Associate's Degree Program from a connected institution. While the exam 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, as well as professional skills. No penalty is given for every 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 legit for about three to five years, depending on which state it is recorded. Licenses are renewed once expired. However, the applicants are obliged to take continuing education for them to remain qualified for the renewal of their licenses. These continuing education courses are converted into hours. Know that each nation has varying numbers of required hours for PTA continuing education. Additionally, some states also require their physical therapy assistants to undergo further trainings that involve updates on occupational health and safety or rather blood-borne viruses.

Being a physical therapist assistant is never an easy profession because the job requires rigorous physical activities. In addition to that, PTAs must not only be physically fit at all times, but they should also have excellent writing and communication abilities. 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 achieving 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.

by: Patricia Strasser

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