When new clients visit the physical therapist, they may be in pain or have restricted movements due to injuries or illnesses. The specialized knowledge and experience of the physical therapist often can help them regain strength and flexibility. This usually involves an exercise routine with a physical therapist assistant that is followed during office visits.
In the Miami, Florida, area, students can develop the physical therapist assistant skills needed to succeed in this healthcare career at The Praxis Institute. Here, we discuss what skills students should work on and how we can help them develop into professionals.
What Skills Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Need?
The work of physical therapist assistants, sometimes called physical therapy assistants or PTAs, is active and fulfilling. They are responsible for accurately reporting information that is ultimately recorded in the client’s health record. They are required to understand interrelated aspects of the human body as they oversee each client’s performance of exercises. Assistants share core values with the physical therapists who supervise their work, including a collaborative outlook and commitment to required duties. They also call upon these physical therapist assistant skills:
- Physical strength and stamina to keep up with a heavy schedule helping clients
- Interpersonal skills to aid daily cooperation with team members
- Ability to communicate clearly to help educate clients about their treatment
- Attention to detail to accurately report and record client progress
- Compassion to recognize the basic humanity of each client and their struggles
Physical therapist assistants can develop these skills and attributes while studying in a physical therapist assistant program or PTA school. If you are attracted to a physically active role in the healthcare professions, and if you are fascinated by the abilities and resiliency of the human body, working as a physical therapist assistant may be an excellent career choice.
Develop Physical Therapist Assistant Skills
The Praxis Institute offers thorough training for physical therapist assistants in our associate degree program. In addition to competitive pricing, the program offers schedule flexibility with some courses offered online. The program is organized into five semesters, including clinical experience during the last three semesters. This training, which covers anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, pathological conditions, and medical documentation, also includes entry-level courses in English composition and college algebra.
Enrollment period is held one time per year. Students who successfully complete the physical therapist assistant program are awarded an associate in science degree. They also are qualified to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and start working in the field. Physical therapist assistants, or PTAs, find work in a variety of healthcare settings, including physical therapist offices, hospital and community health centers, sports medicine and school locations, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.
Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
The physical therapist assistant program at The Praxis Institute is located on our Miami, Florida, campus. Students benefit from our experienced, dedicated teaching staff, who share their real-world experience. They also can network with professionals during the clinical experience modules in the curriculum. These are opportunities to develop the communication and interpersonal skills necessary for a successful career. In addition, students can learn about the fine points of medical data and receive training in observation. Through watching the progress of actual clients, students also develop more compassion, although this often is a trait that attracts students to pursue this line of work in the first place.
Apply to Our Associate Degree Program at The Praxis Institute
Are you ready to explore a new career in healthcare? Our program helps students in the Miami, Florida, area gain the physical therapist assistant skills they need to begin working in this exciting field. Help clients every day and work closely with medical professionals. These are environments where it’s possible to keep learning and advancing. Discover whether this healthcare career is right for you. Contact us today.
