Physical And Occupational Therapist With An Associate’s Degree
The physical and occupational therapist is one of the fastest growing positions in the healthcare industry. This position typically requires a master’s degree, a lengthy college commitment that several prospective college students cannot afford.
Did you know though, that by merely studying for 2 years and obtaining an associate’s degree, you can secure a position as a certified physical therapist assistant? This is one of the jobs listed in the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics’ November 2007 assessment of the job market as “the fastest growing occupations.”
Physical therapist assistants have a projected job growth of 32.4%, meaning assured job security. Median pay is $25/hour, or approximately $50,000/year. This is considerable for the two years of school the associate degree program requires.
Physical therapist assistants aid physical therapists in providing treatment to patients. This treatment increases a patient’s mobility, relieves pain, and prevents or lessens physical disabilities. A physical therapist may ask their assistant to help patients exercise or learn to use crutches, as an example. Physical therapists may also part take in other tasks such as:
- Massages
- Electrical stimulation
- Paraffin baths
- Hot and cold pack application
- Traction
- Ultrasound
- Record patient response and report to the physical therapist
Physical therapist assistants get the rewarding task of working hands-on with patients and improving their lives.
Patients that physical therapists work with can range from accident victims to individuals with disabling conditions like: lower-back pain; arthritis; heart disease; fractures; head injuries; and cerebral palsy.
Physical therapist assistants perform a variety of tasks. Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, they provide part of a patient’s treatment. This might involve exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound. Physical therapist assistants record the patient’s responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.
