A physical therapy assistant is a licensed health care professional that has received special training. These health care assistants work with physical therapists in treating patients who have physical disabilities and injuries. Many treatments are designed to relieve pain and improve the patient's mobility.
There are over two hundred physical therapy assistant programs that are available today. To be considered for one of these programs, candidates need to have a high-grade point average, primarily in the main sciences such as chemistry, biology, and statistics.
Each candidate will have to volunteer in the health care field, ideally as an aide, and also show community participation by taking part in some service program. It is also important to have recommendations from physical therapists because this is another prerequisite for being accepted into a PTA program.
What Does A Physical Therapy Assistant Do?
A physical therapy assistant works with a physical therapist in the treatment of patients who suffer from injuries or physical disabilities. All work performed by this type of health care assistant is supervised by licensed physical therapists. They provide a number of techniques when caring for patients, including exercise treatment protocols, deep soft tissue massage, and general mobility training.
They also perform physical modalities including ultrasound and electrotherapy. This type of therapy assistant may also apply ice or heat therapy to patients, help them learn how to use equipment such as crutches, or teach them stretches and exercises that improve their range of motion.