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jumping back into PTA career
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Comments (21)

tmertz in Utica, Michigan

35 months ago

Anyone out there have advice for me. I'm a "retired" PTA from MI. Worked from 1987 to 1994 and since have been home raising 6 children. I may have to get back into the work force. Has anyone done this without going back to a PTA program or do I settle as a PT aide. Are there refresher courses? Any advice would be helpful.

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Tim Daley in Tampa, Florida

35 months ago

tmertz in Utica, Michigan said: Anyone out there have advice for me. I'm a "retired" PTA from MI. Worked from 1987 to 1994 and since have been home raising 6 children. I may have to get back into the work force. Has anyone done this without going back to a PTA program or do I settle as a PT aide. Are there refresher courses? Any advice would be helpful.

If you really want to get back in the best way to refresh yourself would be to look for volunteer opportunities! It is hard to find employers willing to hire off of a 15 year gap, but starting with a few months of volunteer work and some strong refrences from the facilities you work at would develop confidence that you can still get the job done. I work in staffing allied professionals, such as PT's and PTA's, so I talk to hiring managers on a petty regular basis. If you have any other questions fell free to e-mail me at tdaley@kforce.com. Best of luck!

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Therapyrecruiter in Saint Ann, Missouri

35 months ago

Have you kept up with your Continuing Ed? Most states will require that you have been pursuing continuing ed to keep current in your field. You might also check with your state professional licensure division to see if you will have to re-test for your license.

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Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania

32 months ago

I have been out of touch with PTA since 1994. I graduated with an Associate in 1992. I am looking to get back into the profession. Anyone take any of the refresher courses and pass the PTA exam? I looked at the Lake Superior College course and the TherapyEd course.

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Shari Malizio in Beloit, Wisconsin

28 months ago

I am also looking to get back into Physical Therapy after a 10 year gap. I have similar questions to those asked above. I am looking into the Lake Superior College course, anyone know of a PTA taking this refresher course? Thanks for help in advance.

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Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania

28 months ago

Shari Malizio in Beloit, Wisconsin said: I am also looking to get back into Physical Therapy after a 10 year gap. I have similar questions to those asked above. I am looking into the Lake Superior College course, anyone know of a PTA taking this refresher course? Thanks for help in advance.

I have received no info from anyone on this website.

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PTA in Bellingham, Washington

28 months ago

I have taken the Lake superior PTA course and recommend it to everyone trying to pass the PTA exam.

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Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania

28 months ago

Thank you for a reply. How many years was it after you graduated from school?

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Shari Malizio in Beloit, Wisconsin

28 months ago

I graduated pta school in 1994, I am sure things have changed some since then. I last worked about 10 years ago, as an on-call therapist. Been doing a virtual school with the kids since then. They are now back in school, and I am going through a divorce. Need to take care of things again.

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Shari Malizio in Beloit, Wisconsin

28 months ago

tag44 in Miami, Florida said: Hmmm for more information on PTA and for other job opportunities i must recommend you one of the leading recruitment and staffing firm of US i.e. Tag44, check there site for more related information www.tag44.com

Thank you soooooo much, I will do just that!!! Appreciate your help!

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Shari Malizio in Beloit, Wisconsin

28 months ago

Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania said: Thank you for a reply. How many years was it after you graduated from school?

Sorry, I meant to reply to you, but posted my info below your note...lol Graduated in 1994

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Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania

28 months ago

Shari, Thank you again for your help. I am so stuck. I took the exam 2 times and failed both times. So, now I am trying to figure out if it is worth the money to take the course and try again. I still have about 15 years to work. Maybe more, if I can work with seniors.

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Felicia Rowsey in Memphis, Tennessee

27 months ago

Hi i graduated in 2004 as a pta and i failed the test twice. I went back to scool to become a massage theraphist and past that test. It is still in my heart to past the pta exam i dont know where to start or who to talk to before i attend another school for another program. I got to past the pta exam /Help me please.

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Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania

27 months ago

Felicia, I graduated in '92 and I have figured out with my mentor to take the PTA test again, but in a different state. So, I am planning on taking the test after I finish an on-line course from Lake Superior College. It is only on-line. It uses the book I purchased to study for my first 2 tests. The book is Scorebuilders PTAExam studybook. Hey, if I can try again, so can you. I have been a massage therapist for 15 years. But, I want to prove to myself that my schooling was not wasted. Good luck,

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Shari Malizio in Beloit, Wisconsin

27 months ago

Hey there Felicia...Good luck to you!! I am also going back to school to be a massage therapist....very good to be multi-talented I say...

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Michele in Uniontown, Pennsylvania

21 months ago

I too am a PTA that has been a Stay-at-home-Mom for the past ten years. I recently renewed my license and started reviewing my old notes, but feel I need some sort of hands on training. Are there any type of internship programs or hands on clinical instruction available such as what we completed while in school? I considered volunteering, but most laws are so strict that a volunteer can even touch a pt. Any ideas or info is greatly appreciated.

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Terry in Salinas, California

19 months ago

Check with your state licensing board. Usually after a 5 year lapse you need to re-test. If you had your license for more than 2 years you're probably not going to have to re-fulfill your work hours. The best advice I can give you is to get a test review books such as Giles or IEP to help refresh things. Also Purchase the on- line PEAT Exam that NSBPT offers. Both books and the PEAT have rationals to the answers which should help refresh things.

On the work side, go to a PT clinic tell them about yourself, experience and what your trying to do. They will probably help you as there aren't enough therapists to go around and recruiting companies are lookinfg to fill the gaps with PTA's

I hope that helps.

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Lis in Valrico, Florida

19 months ago

I also have been a stay home mom for the last 13 years. I have maintained my license in another state, but am seeking to re-activate my license in Florida. So, I have begun my journey and would like to know if there is anyone out there who has recently taken the on-line PTA refresher course with Lake Superior College. For me this will not only serve as a refresher but as a confidence booster. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Merle in Southampton, Pennsylvania

18 months ago

I looked into the program. Seems like a good one, but my issues are not in the education part. My issues are in the test taking part. Good luck to you.

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Diana LaPierre in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

3 months ago

Any information anyone has about re-entry refresher coarses for Physical therapists...would be great! I live in SC and am not finding much help.
Thank you!

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robreigh in Kathleen, Georgia

2 months ago

Lis in Valrico, Florida said: I also have been a stay home mom for the last 13 years. I have maintained my license in another state, but am seeking to re-activate my license in Florida. So, I have begun my journey and would like to know if there is anyone out there who has recently taken the on-line PTA refresher course with Lake Superior College. For me this will not only serve as a refresher but as a confidence booster. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

for Lis, any updates on your status? I have also been out of PT for about the same number of years as you, and was hoping to take a refresher course. Did you find one that worked for you and if so, would you recommend it? thanks

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