physical therapy aide

I'm thinking about taking the the physical therapy aid course, from penn foster. Not because I think that it's a great course. But, I'm thinking of going to physical therapy assistant school next year, and have not been in school for a while. So I'm thinking of taking it for a refresher course. Is it worth it?

I am very interested in applying for a physical therapy assistant position and physical therapy aide position. I am still in school as an undergraduate with plans to transfer to University of Houston and I would like to work in an environment where I can gain valuable and much needed experience towards my physical therapy degree. I have been a fitness trainer for the YMCA for the past 4 years assisting seniors with their training and helping them get acquainted with the new exercise machines and equipment. I am CPR and First AID certified through the YMCA. I am not a certified assistant, but I believe that my experience allows me to successfully assist the physical therapist. I would like to know where in Houston, Texas will they offer me to work and gain that experience? I can be reached at nicholas.williams2010@live.com. Thanks!

My Name is Natasha and I’m a pre Physical Therapy student in San Jose California, I’m looking for a job as a PT aide so I can work in the field while I study. I’m open for full time and Part time positions. I would like to know if there is anything extra I can do to acquire a job as a PT aide or if anyone knows of any openings here in San Jose. Please feel free to contact me at nlosha@hotmail.com. Thank You.

Hi I am a Job Developer for ICDC COllege and I have PTA graduates that need to do some volunteer hours. So if you have a clinic that needs some volunteer work please contact me. Also I have PTA graduates that need job placement. I am currently looking for an opening in the Fullerton Ca area. Please contact me to hire my students so they can get working.

buster2456 in San Jose, California said: aide cannot also tell the patient or teach the patient to do exercises also

Not true! I guess all companies use their techs/aides differently, but when I worked as a tech, it was my job to go over the exercises with the patients, especially when the PT was doing an eval. As long as the PT told me exactly what to do, how many reps and how much weight, etc. I was able to work with the patient and make sure they were doing things correctly. I guess this also depends on the PT.

Question: I was wondering why there isn't any physical therapy aide trade schools in NYC. There are tons; actually too many medical assistant schools but no physical therapy aide. Can some one explain to me why???

Norma in New York, New York said: Question: I was wondering why there isn't any physical therapy aide trade schools in NYC. There are tons; actually too many medical assistant schools but no physical therapy aide. Can some one explain to me why???

I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking there aren't many PT-Aide schools anywhere. Why waste money going to school for that? You don't need a degree or certificate for it, you can be trained on the job.

Listen up, I'm a PT Aide, and honestly... don't bother going to trade school for a Physical Therapy Aide position. The pay is pretty much on par with minimum wage (9/hour). You're better off just spending a few months volunteering for a PT clinic with the off-chance that they'll hire you (like what I did.). It's a lot cheaper, and they'll be much more impressed with first hand experience as opposed to schooling.

Hey, Emzy is right, i'm currently in school for PTA and as a requirement, i had to either volunteer/work in a similar setting of physical therapy. I did both, however, when i did work, they trainded me on the spot. There isn't any arduous or difficult tasks required as a tech/aide. You follow PT directions and (in my past facility) it's minimal hands on work. The experience was great. I learned so much in just one month. I cannot wait to apply for the upcoming program in 2013. Hope this helps.

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone in the Physical Therapy world heard of a certification for Physical Therapy Aides such as from the Rehabilitaion Health Career Association (RHA) ? My other question, is it required truely to be a physical therapy aide and how valuable is it to have????

www.rhanow.com/certifications/

Thank You

Norma in New York, New York said: Hello,
I was wondering if anyone in the Physical Therapy world heard of a certification for Physical Therapy Aides such as from the Rehabilitaion Health Career Association (RHA) ? My other question, is it required truely to be a physical therapy aide and how valuable is it to have????

www.rhanow.com/certifications/

Thank You

Hey Norma, I have never heard of such thing as a RHA. If it has anything to do with paying money---flee from it. I'm a PTA student and am required to volunteer 25 hrs or work in a physical therapy setting. I applied for a very we’ll known rehab center in my state and got the job. I didn't need any certification to obtain the PT aide position, matter of fact--I got the training while working in the facility. It's incredulous and baffling to see companies coming up with ways to make money when a PT aide can learn the skills needed right on the job. To your second question, it isn’t required to “BE” a PT aide, however, it is a great way of getting familiar with what you’ll be doing, and it surely helps you decide if this is the carer path you want to take as you’ll be side by side a PT or PTA observing how they conduct themselves on the job, like, patient interaction, putting cold packs on, how to set up stems, how to treat patients, etc etc. So I say, just do your homework on certain things before you jump in the wagon lol. BTW, are you in school for PTA?

Hi Yohan of Bayonne, Thank you for your reply. I thought so,it doesn't sound right. As for PTA, I am now in a practical physical therapy "aide" class with over 50 hrs (and counting) of hands on experience with introductory anatomy/physiology, patient care,etc. In the summer wl sign up for pre-reqs.

Hi Yohan of Bayonne, Thank you for your reply. I thought so,it doesn't sound right. As for PTA, I am now in a practical physical therapy "aide" class with over 50 hrs (and counting) of hands on experience with introductory anatomy/physiology, patient care,etc. In the summer wl sign up for pre-reqs.

Hey i am glad it helped. Yea, i'm also in school for PTA. I just need to finish my Bio 1 & 2 this summer, then will be sending in my application in August. Hopefully i'll be in the program next year. It's actually exciting to see all these people on here and interacting about the same career path. I actually went to do a career project interview recently for my Eng class and had to interview a PTA and found out that, the PT aide that is working there is currently in the same school as me and is at this moment in the program right now. lol, I can't wait to go back to that facility and unload a series of questions on how the programs is. We'll i hope you continue your due diligence and finish your goals Norma. Keep in touch.

Yohan

Hi Yohan, I'm in the same boat. Have to re-do my pre-req's for a better grade. Will start in the summer w/ Bio and Psych. Question, I was wonder if I have a slightly better chance to work with patients since I have a Nasm certification and a Masters in Rehabilitation in Corrective Exercise. I know I will need the license. But I was thinking having these will help a little with my persuit. What do you think?
Thank You

Sorry mispelled. I meant pursuit.Tks

Hey Norma, lol it's funny because after the program i'm funny on planning on getting some type of personal training certification, maybe the ISSA certificate. However, You have one of the top certifications and think it will not only help you with your career,but it will also increase your pay as a PTA because you have a certificate in personal training which is very similar to Therapy. Man i envy you right now lol. That's exactly what i'm planning on doing too. But, what were your grades in for the prerequisites that you had to re-do them? I just trying to get an idea of what a "bad" grade is to some people. The program in my school is very competitive and heard you have to excel in the bio 1& 2 to be considered in the program. We'll see how i do this summer :/

Hi, I understand. If I can make a suggestion instead of ISSA certification, try to get NSCA or ACSM. These are the top certs including NASM. Most colleges and institutions look at all 3 certs as one of the best.ISSA id good but not one of the top 3. The last cert is the ultimate to have. It's as close as studying for PTA because it so extremely medical. If you can get that one, PTA would be a breeze when it comes to understanding orthopedic conditions. I have all the textbooks on both certs. I hope to find time to get both certs. As for my pre-req grades, they were "C and B-", as well as being over 10 years old. So I have to redo them to get some kind of chance.

www.nsca-lift.org/

www.acsm.org/

Hey, yea i am familiar with those certs. However, i just don't have the time to seriously study for them. My school has this express class for one month for the NASM certification but they only give it every summer 1 and i'm taking class both summers this year. Those certs are hard and to combine them with all the other classes i'm taking would make me lose my head lol. Yea i now get why your re-doing the classes. Myabe now they'll be a bit easier since you've been in the health field a while now. How time and study did you take to pass the NASM and do you still have the text books?

Yohan in Bayonne, New Jersey said: Hey, yea i am familiar with those certs. However, i just don't have the time to seriously study for them. My school has this express class for one month for the NASM certification but they only give it every summer 1 and i'm taking class both summers this year. Those certs are hard and to combine them with all the other classes i'm taking would make me lose my head lol. Yea i now get why your re-doing the classes. Myabe now they'll be a bit easier since you've been in the health field a while now. How time and study did you take to pass the NASM and do you still have the text books?

Yes, I still have the books and use them as a part of my library. There is a time restraint for taking the test. I don't remember since I've it for a long time.

I was wondering if anybody knows about physical therapy aide jobs available near Fayetteville, NC? My fiance is back from deployment in Sep. and I am moving there and would like to work while I take a year off from school and apply to PT schools. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Rachel Fennel in Ellensburg, Washington said: I was wondering if anybody knows about physical therapy aide jobs available near Fayetteville, NC? My fiance is back from deployment in Sep. and I am moving there and would like to work while I take a year off from school and apply to PT schools. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Hey Rachel, i dont know about any jobs in NC, but why don't you just try volunteering in several clinics initially and then see if PTA or PT is the career you want to pursue before taking a year off from school? :)

Thanks for that suggestion but I have already completed 700hours of volunteer work in various physical therapy clinics and am absolutely sure that this is what I want to do.

Well thats really good Rachel. It's always beneficial to have massive volunteer hours and work as a tech before applying to the program. They say you get more points in the entry form from what i heard.

Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the info. Question, Do you know what companies are looking for this certification? Can you name a few places?

Thanks Again.

dawn eugene in southern, California said: yes you will definitely be hired if you have the hands on skill.
because when i am reading through this forum i feel that some people are lost and same people know too much.

i am a physical therapist
let me clear few points
physical therapy needs atleast 7 years of study with dedication even after that you will have to appear for a state license
physical therapy assistant 2 years of study with investment of time and money
physical therapy aide/technician
some people receive on the job training and some people go to school for it depending on their choice

but getting educated through a school doesn't harm anyone, the ptaide course just lasts for 3 months or less,and if possible try to get certified

last point, not everyone has the time to do pt assistant program because of the time,
because they either have to support their family by earning or have to take care of their kids at home. so they are only left with this option of a physical therapy aide program.

let me put it this way

What is a medical assistant
THE PERSON WHO WORKS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN//////////////
THINK TWICE..............IF THIS IS YOUR ANSWER
THEN WHO IS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

MY WHOLE POINT IS YOU CANNOT SAY THAT PTAIDE IS A SCAM OR NOT, its not we who decides, its the education board which approves it so they know what they are do

Well, it seems very suspicious when two people post the exact same wording. Not sure what that means.

I wanted to point out, in my opinion,PTA is more than a 2-year degree. The program is 2 years but the prereqs and having all of your associates classes takes 2 to 3 years. If you get to count the undergrad for PT, you get to count the associates for PTA, as both are required.

Hi Dawn,
Thank you for the link. I also wish to take the ACSM and your so right about that it's practically close to being medically certified. I just completed a mid-term for a"hands on" physical therapy aide course and I noticed in just a few short weeks my level of understanding has great improved. I will keep pushing forward! Thank you!!