Programs for physical therapy vs physical therapy assistant schools are significantly varied in terms of acceptance and prerequisites. Given the low educational requirements, physical therapist assistants received above-average salaries of $51,110 per year, or $24.57 per hour, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Before heading back to school, consider the pros and cons of an occupational therapy assistant career. Bright employment outlook (41% job growth from 2012-2022)*. “I always tell people considering being a travel therapist to think about the pros and cons,” said Host Healthcare recruiter Sarah Powell. The average salary for an OTA is $51,000. Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Physical Therapist Assistant is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for. PTAs need some sort of supervision, some states are more controlling (thanks, PA) than others. Salary: According to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics (BLS), and as of 2014, COTAs earn an average of $53,250 annually. What is it like being a physical therapy assistant: Pros, Cons, Salary, Responsibilities? Cons: Sometimes the practice act (depending on your state) can be limiting if you're in a very small department. In-Demand Career. PT assistants may begin work with only an associate degree, which takes about two years to... Job Growth. Exercises such as joint and soft tissue mobilization can help in relieving pain and restore muscle and joint functioning to reduce pain. It is not too difficult to get into this career. As you consider a career as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or SLP, you want to think about the advantages and disadvantages. You will spend about the same amount of time in school to become a physical therapist as someone who desires to be a physician. PRN occupational therapy: There is a lot to say about it, and because I’ve been a PRN (or per diem) occupational therapist for over five years now, I really wanted to share my PRN experiences (the good AND the bad). Like most jobs, there are advantages, but also some disadvantages, to working as a PT assistant. Certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) help patients recover, improve and develop skills that are crucial to working and living. Assistants must remain calm and pleasant so that they can provide effective treatment. Find a career you love with this simple personality test. Pros of OTA. Let’s look at the main differences between working as an employee vs. a contractor. But the highest wages were in management, scientific and technical consulting services, at a mean $75,680 per year, or $36.38 per hour. This will help you decide if it’s the right career move for you. You will be spending a long time in school. Benefits of Being an Occupational Therapist If you have the essential traits to become a successful occupational therapist and are looking for an economically sound career, occupational therapy could be a good choice for you. Required fields are marked *. Table of Contents. Generally requires formal training. You can read more about these career personality types here. In 2020, the average physical therapist salary came in at a median of $88,110 annually, with the bottom 10% making just under ... 2. Negatives. Low Educational Requirements. Benefits to Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant. Physical Therapist Assistants with little to no experience tend to make between $33780 and $46800 while the more experienced ones can earn over $68700 per year. PT assistants may begin work with only an associate degree, which takes about two years to complete. Pros and Cons comparison chart of becoming an OTA The Pros of an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career You Will Make a Difference in People’s Lives. Physical Therapist Assistants: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz, Learn more about Physical Therapist Assistants. Physical Therapist Assistants job description, Physical Therapist Assistants salary, Physical Therapist Assistants information, what is the job of a Physical Therapist Assistant like, pros and cons about Physical Therapist Assistants, colleges and universities for Physical Therapist Assistants, is Physical Therapist Assistants the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and … The role of a physical therapy assistant is a physical one involving considerable amounts of lifting and carrying patients, positioning them in or on equipments, providing massages and various other therapeutic treatments. There are many pros to being a physical therapist. They deal with patients who may be suffering from extreme pain, and who may be angry, confused or in denial about their health conditions. One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Physical Therapist Assistant is to move to a higher paying state like TX. An occupational therapist can become a director of rehab or program manager, and honestly make some of the best DORs. 1. Before entering this career in healthcare, learners must be able to recognize Physical Therapist Assistant pros and cons, and differentiate the differences between a P hysical Therapy Aide vs Assistant. Individuals in this group suffer more chronic medical conditions that require physical therapy. This means physical therapist assistants and aides often do tasks that are indirectly related to patient care, such as cleaning and setting up the treatment area, moving patients and performing clerical work like documenting patient progress and updating records. 1. The good news is every job has con and in this case, I think the pros outweigh the cons. They may rely on physical therapist assistants, or PT assistants, to help with such tasks as observing patients, demonstrating assistive devices and recording progress. Find yourself trying to do more than you actually need to. You might not want to take a home health therapy job for this and other reasons. The advantages and disadvantages of Physician providing therapy services in their facilities have been hotly debated over the years. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Hopefully, after learning some of the pros and cons and reasons why to become a Physical Therapist Assistant, you will know whether or not the career is a good fit for you. Today we want to answer the question, “Should I become a Physical Therapy Assistant? But before you make the jump, you should know what the pros and cons of both employee and contract jobs are so that you’re best prepared to succeed. High Average Pay. Pros: Doing the fun part of Physical Therapy (no evals, meetings, etc). List of the Cons of Being a Physical Therapist 1. Article by St. Kate's (St. Catherine University) Career Exploration Career Education Early Education Interactive Infographic Occupational Therapy Assistant Music Therapy Horse Therapy Hand Therapy Physical Therapist I know in my heart this is what I want to do but am reluctant because I am a small female (100lbs) and a bit affraid of not being able to meet the jobs physical demand. The largest segment of the American population -- baby boomers -- will continue to become senior citizens from 2010 to 2020. Pros and Cons of Being a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. In 2014, there were 1,545,200 nursing assistant jobs in the United States; BLS expects the U.S. will add another 267,800 nursing assistant jobs by the end of 2024. To learn more about the pros and cons of working as a physical therapy assistant, read on. Physical Therapist Assistants assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. Ultimately, a physical therapist assistant’s job is about supporting the physical therapist with whom they work. Always have to work under a PT. Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up. To help you make the best choice, we’ll be taking a look at the pros and cons of an occupational therapy assistant career. Top 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Therapist. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington. Pros of Being a Physical Therapist. When physical therapists become well-established or develop large practices, they may not have enough time to give all of their patients the necessary attention. Medical Knowledge. Job opportunities for OTAs are expected to jump 43% by the year 2020. This rate is similar to those who work in parallel fields—like physical therapy assistants. 5. What’s the difference between an employee vs. a physical therapy independent contractor? What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Physical Therapy Assistants? You may have read our previous article where we bragged about how excellent a home health therapy job can be. Therapists are also responsible for PTAs and use their PT license number to sponsor their assistant, making supervision of the PTA a high priority as well. Can anyone give me some insight on a career in the Physical Therapy Asst. Pros of a Physical Therapy Assistant Career. Before heading back to school, consider the pros and cons of an occupational therapy assistant career. assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. One of the main reasons why people look at physical therapy vs physical therapy assistant jobs is due to the level of responsibility between a PT vs a PTA. Nov 11, 2016 - Considering becoming an OTA? How Much Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Earn. Right now, the highest paying states for Physical Therapist Assistants are TX, NJ, CT, CA and MA. Ultimately, there are more demanding educational requirements to become a PTA, and therefore they tend to hold more responsibilities than Physical Therapy Aides. Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Physical Therapist Assistant. position working in home health care. This takes at least three years of full-time study beyond the four years needed for the prerequisite undergraduate degree. You can learn about the ups and downs to being a COTA by continuing to read below. Being that Physical Therapists work with the entire body and all of its systems, … 4. 82% of Physical Therapist Assistants said they were satisfied with their job and 86% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better. Pros and cons of becoming a physical therapist assistant. What are the benefits and the negatives of being a PTA. However, just like any other career, a career in this field has its pros and cons. The pros and cons were the same for me as others. 3. The largest segment of the American population -- baby boomers -- … In this article, I cover both the pros and cons of working as a PRN occupational therapist. They also require the strength to set up heavy equipment, such as traction machines and weights, and to help patients who have difficulty moving. Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs. Physically and mentally demanding with lots of paperwork, along with the physical demand of a lot of hands on work. Stan T.April 28, 2020Career, OverviewLeave a Comment. The Pros of Being a COTA. But remember, every coin has two sides. They like helping or providing service to others.. In addition, baby boomers are remaining far more active than in previous generations, which may also result in more temporary injuries. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. Good pay. As with all jobs in health care, those of assistants can also be emotionally demanding. What are the benefits and the negatives of being a PTA. Occupational Therapy Assistants job description, Occupational Therapy Assistants salary, Occupational Therapy Assistants information, what is the job of an Occupational Therapy Assistant like, pros and cons about Occupational Therapy Assistants, colleges and universities for Occupational Therapy Assistants, is Occupational Therapy Assistants the right career for me, … Social Worker Assistant Careers & Salaries, Job Description for a Physical Therapy Aide, The Pay Scale of an Associate of Science Occupational Therapist, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Physical Therapist, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant or Aide, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Outlook for Physical Therapist Assistant and Aides, Corporation for National and Community Service: Baby Boomer Facts, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011, Physical Therapist Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Work Environment for Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides, Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs & Salaries. Rising job growth. So, here we expound on some of the cons of having a career in home health. All totaled, the training period for assistants to enter the physical therapy field is much shorter than that of physical therapists, who require a master's degree in physical therapy. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Jun 13, 2020 - Pros and cons of becoming a physical therapist assistant. Variety of Working Environments. A lot of hours worked within the job. What Are the Pros and Cons of Being A Physical Therapist? Learn how your comment data is processed. Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Certification Rating: 2.7 - 2 reviews Most recent review: Thu Jan 9 06:05:44 2020 May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. They typically undergo an additional few weeks or months of on-the-job training to obtain necessary clinical experience. If you are considering becoming an occupational therapist, it can be helpful to know the pros and cons of the industry and field. Physical Therapist Assistants job description, Physical Therapist Assistants salary, Physical Therapist Assistants information, what is the job of a Physical Therapist Assistant like, pros and cons about Physical Therapist Assistants, colleges and universities for Physical Therapist Assistants, is Physical Therapist Assistants the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical, Certified Physical Therapist Assistant (CPTA), Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA), Outpatient Physical Therapist Assistant, Per Diem Physical Therapist Assistant (Per Diem PTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapist Assistant and Nurse Aide, Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), Physical Therapy Technician (Physical Therapy Tech), Physiotherapy Assistant, Your email address will not be published. Good salary payoff for educational requirements ($54,330 average annual salary; associate's degree typically required)*. While this rate is comparable to other professions — such as physical therapist assistants who make an average $52,160 each year — many variables affect the actual salary you could earn. As with physical therapists, the jobs of PT assistants can be physically demanding. Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes. Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. We asked other Physical Therapist Assistants what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Bachelor’s Degree. I would like to become a physical therapy assistant and am looking into getting a 2 year degree from a DelTech University. Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment. However, a higher pay at TX doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at TX might be twice as high than where you are currently at now. Hate driving and long commutes? I'm 33 years old and looking to go into the physical therapy field. They must remain on their feet for most of the day. These factors are expected to contribute to the expected 46 percent growth for physical therapist assistants, which is more than three times the 14 percent increase for jobs in all fields. Your email address will not be published. Work-Life Balance. Disadvantages of Being a Physical Therapist. Here are just a few: Less education than other jobs in … Generally requires formal training. In most companies and states, a certified occupational therapy assistant can also work in this position. Most found work in the offices of physical therapists to average an annual $49,430, or $23.77 per hour. OTs understand the challenges faced by physical therapy as well as speech therapy, making an excellent middleman. A promising job outlook and some of the highest job satisfaction levels in the country, according to a National Opinion Research Center survey, make physical therapy an appealing field to enter. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. I am really interested and looking into classes. Pay for the highest earners topped $71,200 yearly, or $34.23 hourly. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Proficiency in a variety of techniques: By becoming a physical therapist, you acquire skills in different procedures including electrotherapy, massage, … The debate was recently renewed when President Obama included a measure in his FY 2015 budget to end the exception in the Stark Law that permits physicians to offer rehabilitation services in the same facility where they perform surgeries. You must achieve your undergraduate degree in an appropriate major before attending graduate studies which focus on physiotherapy. what does a Physical Therapist Assistant really do at work, how much do Physical Therapist Assistants make, most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree, how to become a Physical Therapist Assistant, what is the job of a Physical Therapist Assistant like, if a Physical Therapist Assistant is the right career for you, http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/top-executives.htm, Anxiety before Test Day: 9 Tips to Prepare for Test Day, Why You Shouldn’t Let Pink Collar Job Stereotypes Influence Your Career Search, What to Expect When Planning to Teach in the UK, Suitable for people who likes to help and teach others, Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment. The average annual salary for all occupations was $45,230, as of May 2011. 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Not want to answer the question, “ Should I become a physical Therapist COTAs help! Care, those of assistants can also be emotionally demanding so that they can provide effective.... And joint functioning to reduce pain by continuing to read below most found work in the offices of physical to... You love with this simple personality test here are some of the day find yourself trying to more! For people who likes to work indoors this group suffer more chronic medical conditions that require physical independent...

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