Physical Therapy Assistant: A Growing Career And Bedside Manner
Some people who have stumbled upon this career field may wonder if they should become a physical therapy assistant? The job market these days has been scarce with little employment opportunities, but one job that has become very competitive is that of the physical therapy assistant.
As one of best and fastest growing jobs, in the healthcare field, with excellent benefits and salary, one cannot go wrong when choosing this career path to study. The question remains though, is this the job for you? The honest answers to this question may become your guide to a new profession for your future success.
As a growing healthcare career, the physical therapy field has been expanding in leaps and bounds in the medical industry. As detailed on the PTA site www.jancolley.com the actual job of the physical therapy assistant involves helping patients with many body strengthening exercises, as well as, range of motion and therapy to improve the body’s daily functions.
Many patients that have been suffering through injuries, surgeries and physical disabilities all benefit from the help and guidance of a well trained physical therapy assistant. It is the job of the PTA to set up equipment for the patient, monitor and chart the patient’s progress. As a team, the physical therapist and their assistant can work wonders for the patients that they help, but empathy is critical when providing treatment.
Kindness Helps With Therapy Too
The customary chain of command is that a physical therapy assistant function under the licensed physical therapist, and their job is to assist in each day’s physical therapy patient roster to help them with their progress. As a physical therapy assistant one may need to perform additional essential parts of treatment with the care of the patient.
Sometimes they may need to work with therapies such as giving ultrasound treatments, providing massages to patients, applications of hot and cold compresses, as well as, instructing patients on some of their home rehabilitation routines.
In some clinics, the physical therapy assistants may need to assist in helping patients to walk with devices, especially if they have suffered from surgery and serious accidents, often leading to having to learn these functions all over again.
On many occasions, the kind of therapy that the physical therapy assistant offers is not always physical. Some patients have a very difficult time emotionally, and with the kindness and support that the PTA offers, many of the patients end up with great successes in all aspects of their therapy.
New Treatments Taught at Cutting Edge Respiratory Therapy Schools
Over 300 million people worldwide have asthma, with the prevalence in the United Kingdom being among the highest in the developed world. Asthma affects around 5% of the general adult population, of whom approximately 5-10% suffer from severe asthma.
These patients are of particular import