Baltimore To See Greater Need For Physical Therapy Assistants
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects hot job prospects for physical therapy assistants from 2012 through 2022 with growth averaging about 41 percent, well above the average of 11 percent for most jobs. What will drive this huge demand? Several factors are actually converging to create a need for the services provided by physical therapy assistants. First is the aging of the population and the growing demand for those who care for their needs.
Secondly, federal health insurance and better trauma medicine combined with technological advances in medicine have all converged to create a larger treatment population. Along with this growth, it is estimated there will be a corresponding desire to effect economies of operation which, it is projected, will mean turning to physical therapy assistants as an alternative to physical therapists.
Physical therapist assistants or PTA's as they are often called, work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist and assist patients once a plan of care has been established by a therapist. They work with those who are recovering from illness or injury and most frequently work in acute hospital, skilled nursing, and outpatient orthopedic settings.
It is also estimated that rural areas may require more PTA's because physical therapists tend to be more concentrated in cities and suburban areas.
A two-year course of study is required in Maryland in an accredited and approved program for PTA's. Currently, there are six schools offering programs in Maryland. The State of Maryland also requires each graduate to obtain a license to practice by passing the state examination for physical therapy assistants and maintaining an active status thereafter.
The most common job responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant are: assist patients in completing specific exercises, bending, stretching in line with the plan of care established by the therapist; use devices such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation to treat patients; observe how patients respond to treatment and report to the therapist accordingly; and educate both patients and family regarding treatment. This position is usually full-time, requires compassion and patience, and most often means spending many hours on one's feet.
The average salary for a physical therapy assistant is $52,160 as of May, 2012. The top 10 percent earned more than $72,720.
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years.
Primary interests include metaphysics and energy healing in which she has several certifications. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times. Sue lives in Baltimore.