Over the past several years many career fields have shrunk along with the economy as a whole. But there continues to be areas with bright outlooks and the promise of job growth, both now and into the foreseeable future. The shifting economy is at the root of some of the change but the biggest factor influencing the potential for physical therapy jobs, as well as employment in virtually all health care fields is the aging population. As more baby boomers reach retirement age they are going to be consulting with a physical therapist more and more.
There is no doubt that we live longer today than our parents and grandparents did, but our increased longevity has not been accompanied with an increase in our overall health. Joints still get weak, injured and worn out; muscles and connecting tissue still weaken and break down and our energy levels seem to plummet to the basement.
Job growth in the service sector has always been strong and health care fields are showing this same strong growth. The population increase together with openings caused by retirement of the baby boomers promises long-term stability for many of these occupations.
Education and training must be kept in mind when you are thinking about a new career. It costs money and takes time to get the training required for many of the top paying careers. Evaluate your options carefully to be sure you make the wisest decision.
Studies at the university level continue to rise in cost but most of the jobs showing the best promise of growth in the near future are in fields which do not require a four year degree. Most require only a two year degree and some require only a certificate program coupled with on-the-job training. Nursing, health home care, retail, and customer service are examples of some fields which fall into the latter category.
The following are some of the occupations which the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects as top picks for job growth in the coming years. Many of these will go to persons holding only a 2-year degree with some being filled by high school graduates receiving on job training. Note that if you are considering one of the physical therapy jobs, your job outlook is looking up!
These are a few of the top picks by the BLS.
1. Dental Assistants
The job prospects for dental assistants according to the BLS should remain strong as they have been in recent years. As the population grows, we have more teeth than ever before to take to our dentists who are using new techniques to preserve and restore them. Their increased work load has them turning more of the routine functions over to assistants. Many of these assistants learn on the job with formal training programs of 1 year quite popular. Dental assistants can expect to annual earnings of between about $23,000 to $47,000 depending upon the market in which they live and their length on the job.
2. Physical Therapy Aides And Assistants
As mentioned above, the increasing aging population helps keep the projected job growth for anyone in the field of Physical Therapy above average. The one down side is that there are also many persons who want to make a career in some area of physical therapy. So the competition for jobs is quite keen in some areas. This is bringing more emphasis on the candidate’s formal schooling. Most physical therapy aides continue to receive the bulk of their training on the job but the physical therapy assistants usually hold at least an associate degree. Earnings cover a span of about $29,000 to $55,000 per annum.
3. Rail Transportation Careers
Railroads aren’t very glamorous anymore, mainly because not too many people take notice of them. But they carry an awful lot of freight and are expected to continue to grow at about 9% per year. Not too many industries that have been around as long a the railroads can say that. Employment potential within the industry will also as many current workers face retirement. Most of the jobs will not require any higher education or outside training but pay quite well with hourly wages ranging from about $21.00 to $26.00 per hour.
4. Freight And Cargo Agents
The past couple years have not shown it but we are a nation of consumers and those goods have to be shipped form point A to point B (you) so you can buy them. This is another service sector that continues to show better than average employment potential. You normally do not require any education beyond high school and learn on the job. Agents earn from about $13.50 to $28.00 per hour.
5. Account And Bill Collectors
This field and the job opportunities are expected to grow faster than any other sector. This is another occupation that you can learn on the job but applicants with some customer service experience will have the edge.Successful applicants can expect to earn between about $12.00 and $22.00 per hour.
In Summary
If getting one of the physical therapy jobs is your goal, you should have no trouble earning a living in the years ahead. But keep in mind that there are may be many applicants for each physical therapy job opening. It is a great occupation for caring, dedicated people.
Filed under Physical Therapy Aide by on Feb 2nd, 2011. Comment.
The primary goal of the physical therapy assistant would be to enhance range of motion of those people with pain and restricted motion. Therapy assistants concentrate on pain-relief, and also the decrease motion associated with bodily afflictions. The Assistants put into action the remedies under the guidance of the physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant is actually educated to make use of therapeutic aids available in rehab.
Work Projection:
The actual work projection for any physical therapy assistant is extremely great. The brand new systems which are available which are allowing trauma sufferers to recover and live longer are driving up the demand for physical therapy assistants trained in their proper use. The majority of therapy assistants, over 70%, specialize in geriatric and pediatric cases working in hospitals.
The remainder are employed in various care facilities such as outpatient treatment centers, nursing facilities, colleges, sports activities centers as well as home care.
PTA School Prerequisites
The specific required areas of study for entry into a school for physical therapy assistants tend to be biology 135, or 141 or 142. Your biology courses should be taken at least 5 years prior to entering a PTA program. First-aid and CPR accreditation are also required.
PTA duties require no little physical strength and stamina. Physical therapy assistants are regular involved in kneeling, stooping and raising and moving the patient. Formal schooling includes 2 yrs associated with research that leads to an associate degree. On completion, the student receives a physical therapy assistant accreditation required to gain a license.
The actual span of research for any physical therapy assistant student consists of; biochemistry, physiology as well as anatomy. There is also strong emphasis placed on interpersonal skills and communication ability. Some other areas associated with therapy assistant study include kinesiology, critical thinking and professional ethics.
College students take part in clinical study in the lab and in actual medical clinics. This on-job training exposes the students to all kinds of equipment they will operate when employed. They gain an understanding of assistive products such as crutches and walkers. They’re educated to make use of hydro-therapy tanks, dumbbells, ultrasound devices, as well as mechanized lifts. These people make use of the instruction as well as tools through this on-job training with patients.
Income Potential
A PTA can expect salaries in the range of $40,000 to over $60,000 per year. PTA can, for the most part, set up their own schedule to work with their assigned patients. Some physical therapy assistants prefer to work only part time by helping take up the overload in the office of a physical therapist or filling in as vacation relief help. Part time work may require that the PTA have a method of toting all of the required physical therapy gear from job to job.
With a certificate from an accredited institution, a physical therapy assistant will have little trouble finding employment when and where they desire.
Filed under Physical Therapy Aide by on Jan 19th, 2011. Comment.
When you become a physical therapy aide, your responsibility would basically to be the go between from patient to physical therapist. You would arrange appointments, welcome patients, and point them to wherever they are expected to go to get treatment, and notify the person who will probably be their therapist if there’s more than one within the practice. A lot of your job will probably be done within the clerical capacity, such as doing filing, answering phones, scheduling sessions, filing records, etc.
When you are not performing clerical type of work you will be personally assisting the therapist with the patient.
You will assist in patient care activities, as well as adjust treatment as the physical therapist sees fit. You are going to have to know the physical therapists programs in and out, as you may be required to adjust them to get the most effective performance out of the patient. This may very well be decreasing the activities as a result of of discomfort, and even improving as the patient recovers.
Typically you must tell the therapist about the adjustment, and make sure you record it inside the patients record. You must also communicate with the therapist if the individual is not recovering as swiftly as they are expected to. A main adjustment may well have to be made to their program. This is to ensure that the patient gets the maximum benefit from their recovery course of action.
One more main job that aides are going to be performing, is prepping the treatment rooms for the patients, making sure that all is in working order, and that all set up properly before the therapist and patient to arrive.
Maintaining the equipment is very important. If you there are any malfunctions while a patient is being treated, there could be vast consequences, to both you, as well as the patient. The patient could possibly be further injured, and you also may well lose your job, and have a law suit on your hands as well.
Be sure all equipment is clean, and in right working order. If there is a thing that could be not working, you would be responsible for contacting the best person to get it fixed as soon as feasible.
Bear in mind, as with all medical professions, there is a certain confidentially that you have to abide by. Any leak in facts could lead to dismissal plus a law suit, and probably, you would by no means be able to obtain employment in this profession again. You will probably be signing a non-disclosure agreement when you are hired, just so there is no room for error.
You are going to have to be able to think swiftly on your feet, as you will be faced with numerous issues throughout the day. Some might involve over booking, patient injury, a person calling in sick, and you have to reschedule all their booked appointments, even a improved filing system. These are items may be referred to you to act upon, or you may well make the decision on your own without input from the physical therapist.
Over all you are basically the physical therapists assistant, mixed in with a bit of office manager. You make sure that the patients get the best and quickest care feasible in all circumstances. And be sure the office is running smoothly and devoid of hiccups.
Do I want Any Form of Formal Education?
The education necessary is not extensive. You commonly only have a High School Diploma, or even a GED. However, possessing some form of formal secondary education is beneficial. This way you will have a good idea of what needs to be done and all you will really need do is get used to the office, as well as the way it functions.
Experience in an office atmosphere, or clerical setting is regularly preferred. As you will have basic working knowledge of how a basic office structure will work and won’t be running around like a chicken with your head cut off when faced with a activity.
Having some knowledge working in a doctors office, or another clinical setting would increase your chances of obtaining the job. This indicates you would have excellent interpersonal skills, and know how to handle patients. That is more than just managing people at a standard job. You ought to be aware of injuries a patient might have, and the way to properly help them without further injury.
Of course, like any job, the more experienced person is going to get the job. So if you do have aide experience, or have worked as a physical therapy technician, then you stand a better chance of finding a job in this field than if you did not.
Getting education as a physical therapist aide is not too tough, and most programs can be executed inside of a year, most even in 8 months. And in case you are lucky, there are home based courses you can take so that you can study and learn even though you are still working at some other work.
Is this a career for you? Well, if you like to work with people, are good at solving difficulties, and don’t mind the work load, then I would must say yes. Just do not put all your eggs in one basket. There are many places to apply to. Hospitals, clinics, private clinics, workout gyms, etc. Even home care therapists have an assistant from time to time.
Another thing you need to know about this job is to watch everything the therapist does, because you might be asked to do it sometime in the future, and you would not want to panic. Plus, it will be fantastic experience when you move up and you’re the therapist who gets to order around the physical therapy aide.
Filed under Physical Therapy Aide by on Jul 1st, 2010. 1 Comment.







