What Are the Key Benefits of Enrolling in a Physical Therapist Assistant Program?

Physical therapy assistant helping patient in wheelchair with leg stretchingIf you’re interested in a career in healthcare but don’t want to spend several years in school, consider enrolling in a physical therapy assistant (PTA) associate degree program. At The Praxis Institute, our Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program is available to students in the Miami, Florida area and offers many advantages. Here, we discuss the physical therapy assistant benefits you can experience from enrolling and completing a PTA program.

What Is a Physical Therapy Assistant?

A physical therapist assistant is a trained healthcare professional who works under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. They provide direct patient care to help patients manage pain and regain range of motion after surgeries or injuries. PTAs can work in hospitals, physical therapist offices, schools, and other healthcare environments, but their typical duties are often similar. They include:

  • Supervising patients as they complete their prescribed physical therapy programs
  • Assisting patients with stretches and exercises to ensure they’re being done correctly
  • Recording data and progress from sessions and reporting it to the physical therapist
  • Providing massage, balance training, heat and cold therapy, etc.
  • Using other techniques and equipment like walkers, exercise bands, assistive equipment, etc.
  • Assisting patients when moving between areas
  • Promoting wellness and injury prevention
  • Educating patients and families about post-treatment care and limitations

To become a physical therapist assistant, you need to graduate from an accredited physical therapist assistant program like the one offered at The Praxis Institute.

Physical Therapy Assistant Benefits

Graduating from a PTA program can help prepare you for a rewarding career where you help treat patients and manage their pain, which is ideal for those who want a fulfilling job in healthcare. Some of the other benefits of enrolling in and completing a PTA program include:

Short Completion Time

A main benefit of enrolling in an associate degree program for PTAs is the fact that it has a shorter completion time compared to the schooling needed for physical therapists. Most PTA programs, including The Praxis Institute’s, take about two years to complete. This is much shorter than PT schooling, which can take anywhere from six to nine years to fully complete. A shorter completion time lets PTAs get to work sooner.

Bright Job Outlook

A major benefit of completing a degree program for physical therapy assisting is the bright job outlook it offers graduates. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for physical therapist assistants is expected to increase as the population ages and deals with mobility issues and the effects of chronic conditions.

Range of Work Environments

Another benefit of completing a PTA associate degree is the range of work environments where graduates can find work. Physical therapist assistants are needed in many different healthcare settings, including hospitals, physical therapy offices, sports medicine clinics, schools, and more. This allows PTAs to choose the environment that works best for their interests and schedule, while also letting them switch environments if one doesn’t work out.

If you’re considering other related positions like a physical therapist aide, it’s important to understand the difference between the careers so you can choose the right one for you. Physical therapist aides work less with direct patient care and more with cleaning and setting up treatment areas, clerical duties, and moving patients. If you want to work closely with patients, becoming a physical therapist assistant is a better choice.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at The Praxis Institute

If you’re interested in pursuing the benefits of a PTA career, apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant program at The Praxis Institute. This five-semester program is available at our Miami campus and helps educate aspiring PTAs with the knowledge and clinical skills they’ll need to succeed in their roles. The curriculum features courses in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, psychology, patient care, documentation, testing, and measurements. The Praxis Institute’s programs provide many advantages to students, including:

  • Experienced and knowledgeable teaching staff
  • Competitive pricing
  • Financial aid opportunities for qualified students
  • Flexible schedules
  • Classes in English and Spanish
  • Career services

Our PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Apply to The Praxis Institute’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Students who are ready to reap the benefits of a rewarding physical therapy assistant career should apply to the Physical Therapist Assistant program at The Praxis Institute in Miami, FL. Since 1988, The Praxis Institute has provided accessible short-term training programs that prepare students for success in the healthcare industry. To learn more about enrollment or admissions, contact us today.