A career that blends your passion and abilities while challenging you may be hard to find. Getting into a field that you love might feel impossible. Hobbies and interests don’t seem like real work choices either. Could Physical Therapy School be the answer?
You may have had to confront the clash between aspirations and adulthood. You would like to have a career that makes you interested and engaged. But you face the monotonous reality of mounting bills and other obligations.
Your work-a-day job may allow you to meet your financial obligations but nothing else. You long for a little more time for hobbies such as your music. But your job takes all your time and energy without giving you much in return except your paycheck.
Many earners with a high school diploma make a fraction of what they could make if they had an advanced degree. $781 per week might sound like good money. But then you may want to do things like buy a home for your family or send your kids to a good school.
Why Physical Therapy School Is Worth It
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that spending a few more years in school can double your weekly earning potential. Over fifty weeks, a high school graduate earning $39,050 translates into almost $1.2 million over a career. A Physical Therapy School may net $59,770 per year on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
More Than Money
When contemplating Physical Therapy School, there’s much more than money at stake. Money is beneficial. But a career as a physical therapist assistant may have other benefits:
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Professional respect
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Helping others
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Job security
Job security is essential for professional, and financial growth. It could feel wonderful to land an exciting new position. Part of the charm of a long-term job might be the life it might help you build for your family.
For many, a career in the healthcare industry often represents a solid choice. . A physical therapist assistant may be a desirable career if you want to work in healthcare. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional physical therapy positions may grow 21% between 2020 and 2030. This shows “much faster than average” growth by federal standards. So professionals in this field will likely be in demand.
How You Could Become a Physical Therapy Professional
Becoming a physical therapy professional requires higher education.
Physical therapy professionals, such as a physical therapist assistant, need to have knowledge of human movement. These include the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, circulatory system, blood, immune system, brain, and spinal cord.
To be an effective physical therapist assistant, it is not enough to know the location or even the function of these structures. You must know how they work together.
The standard physical therapist assistant program includes a range of experiences. They let you know and see the body in action as much as possible. This may help you in the field with different conditions.
What Can You Expect To Learn From A Physical Therapy School
Graduates from a physical therapy school with the degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant can expect to be able to do the following:
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Define the scope of practice for PTs and PTAs.
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Describe basic concepts related to the health care delivery system. This includes the role of other health care providers and facilities.
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Identify principles of levels of authority and responsibility.
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Understanding of and applying wellness and disease concepts.
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Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
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Knowledge of blood-borne diseases, including AIDS.
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Knowledge of disease processes and health conditions encountered in physical therapy practice.
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Anatomical structure, function, and dysfunction of the human body. How it relates to the practice of physical therapy.
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Assist the physical therapist with therapeutic procedural interventions. Interpret and apply a physical therapist’s plan of care.
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Use of assistive/supportive devices and specialized equipment.
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Competent patient progression within the physical therapist’s plan of care.
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Competency inappropriate documentation of physical therapy treatment.
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Ethical and legal practice as a physical therapist assistant. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients, families, and other healthcare staff.
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Cultural competence in verbal and non-verbal communication.
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Respond to the patient’s needs as reflected in the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
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Teach other health care providers, patients, and families to perform selected treatment procedures and functional activities.
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Identify and respond to barriers to a patient’s participation in their life role.
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Commitment to lifelong learning and career development.
Real-World Learning for Real-World Results
Some of the most valuable learning of therapy programs may be clinical rotations. You might get to do things like shadow a practicing clinician and observe meetings. You could get the chance to develop portions of plans for patients. After you complete your college education, clinical experience is next.
Get Started Today
If you’re thinking about attending a Physical Therapy School, one way to know if it is right for you is to get experience. Saber College could provide you with the knowledge, skills, and connections that may position you for success. Contact Saber College today to begin your journey toward becoming a physical therapist assistant.
