Home » Education

Graduate Degree Programs Online

Ranked #55,007 in Education, #920,074 overall

Physical Therapists Are In-Demand

When a patient goes through physical therapy, a therapist usually consults with a doctor to determine a program to help the recuperation process. One the program is agreed upon, the therapist then assigns executing said program to an assistant. As it happens, therapists are one of the most in-demand occupations in the U.S., with assistant's a small step behind them. Encouraging those to enter this field are the many distance education degree programs offered.

Just to get the nomenclature straight, there is quite a different between a therapy assistant and an aide. Aides just need a high school degree and can be hired after just an interview. They are trained on the job. Their responsibilities are mainly janitorial, clerical and to provide a helping hand when needed. If they are involved in therapy, it's under the direct supervision of an assistant or therapist. It's not uncommon for them to use this as their first stepping stone in becoming an assistant or therapist.

Education Connection

Earning The Right Education For The Job

Physical therapy assistants are usually the ones who are hands on when it comes to healing. Techniques they use include electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, exercise, instruction, ultrasound, massage, and gait and balance training. They also keep a history on a patient's recuperation for the therapist and doctor.

Unlike the aide, an assistant does have to go to a medical college, either brick-and-mortar or online, and graduate with a minimum of a two year degree. Curriculum is divided into academic classes and hands-on clinical experience. The academic coursework includes algebra, English, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Clinical work includes certification in CPR, first aid and field experience in treatment centers. Both educators and prospective employers view clinical experience as essential to ensuring that students understand the responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant.

Help an honorable charity

Room to Read partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, providing education to girls and estab

What To Expect In The Field

Like the boss, the assistant must be licensed in order to practice. This involves taking a certification exam. One important note an assistant must always keep in mind is many states require they regularly stay on top of the field through continued education. Because of this, most assistants keep subscription accounts with colleges for medical professionals as a part of the job. One should check with their local state board to see if the live in one of those states.

Compensation is often dependent on where the assistant finds a job. Places of employment can go anywhere from major health institutions to home health care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that private doctor's offices are on the lower end of the pay scale, averaging around $44,000. Home health assistants are on the high end, at just about $52,000. It can go over $60,000 with benefits depending on the institution and the hours the assistant puts in.

Follow us on Twitter!

Earn A Larger Income

According to the Bureau, the U.S. had nearly 64,000 assistants working as of 2008. It projects a need for 21,000 more by 2018, making it one of the fastest growing fields of employment in the country. This is an exciting aspect for those who want to start and stay in and in-demand field.

A good place to find out more about this career and the medical coding colleges that can get you there, is with a college career counselor. There is a considerable amount of financial aid out there for the position too, as well as others where a medical science degree opens doors, so talking with a financial aid advisor is highly advisable.