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Training Required to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant or Aide
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To become a physical therapist assistant you will need to learn anatomy, physiology, biology, and even psychology. You may even have to learn CPR and first aid before you can begin your hands-on clinical work. Most physical therapist assistant training programs last two years, and graduates receive an Associate's degree. Learning is split between classroom lectures and clinical experience, with some programs offering externships or internships at a hospital or clinic. How you perform on your field work is integral to gaining a good job since all employers consider that the most essential part of your education.
A physical therapist aide, by contrast, technically only needs a high school diploma and some on-the-job training. However, any additional training may help increase job opportunities and allow for future advancement.
Licensing and Certification Options
Not all states require a physical therapist assistant to possess a license, but even in those states that don't, a certified physical therapist assistant will find a greater variety of job opportunities and more possibilities of advancement. All states offer accrediting programs, and those states that do require certification have specific educational and examination criteria. These standards are established by the American Physical Therapy Association. They involve both classroom work and hands-on practical experience. A physical therapist assistant usually needs at least an associate degree. And while a physical therapist aide is not licensed, the increase in competition means those with some formal training will have an edge in appealing to perspective employers.
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