This major is a program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress.
Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, basic neurology and orthopedics, physical therapy modalities, documentation skills, psychosocial aspects of health care, wound and injury care, electrotherapy, working with orthotics and prostheses, and personal and professional ethics.
What can you do with a major/degree in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Major?
As a Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant, it is your job to assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. 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. To become a physical therapist assistant, it generally requires formal training.
Job opportunities for physical therapist assistants are very likely in the future as this career subsector is expected to see an eight percent (8%) growth 2019-2029.
An associate degree is generally the minimum educational requirement to enter this career area. A certification program with on-the-job training may get you into this career field.
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Major
Professional associations are groups of professionals dedicated to topics in specific fields. Professional associations provide a wealth of online resources, some of which are geared specifically towards students. These organizations typically also host conferences and events, providing great opportunities for learning and networking across your field of interest.
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
- American Occupational Therapy Association
Publications/Magazines in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Major