Becoming a physical therapist assistant can be a rewarding career.
Physical therapist assistant jobs are estimated to grow 35 percent by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, you can capitalize on this trend through online courses that specialize in physical therapist assistant training. By educating yourself in this growing field through online classes, you can position yourself for a fulfilling career through a more flexible schedule and a lower cost than traditional classroom training.
Career School Online Courses
There are many schools that offer online courses for a physical therapist assistant. Career schools like Penn Foster offer accredited online courses that lead to certification. They have courses that include subjects like introduction to medical terminology, body systems and therapeutic treatment. You can take all the classes at home in front of your computer. Upon graduation you will receive a certificate or career diploma, or you can choose to continue your studies. The total price for online courses is around $800, as of 2011, which you pay in full or in monthly plans.
Career Outlook
Career opportunities as a physical therapist assistant generally are in hospitals, personal care facilities and home health care. You can earn a diploma by spending an hour a day in your home studying for your new career. The shortest time to graduate is four months, after which you'll have a certificate or diploma as a physical therapist aide or assistant, which can help you start a career helping patients recover. The demand for physical therapists has risen over the years, increasing the number of working therapists and assistants. New skills learned through online physical therapist assistant courses are instrumental in securing a position as a therapist's assistant.
Average Salary
The average annual salary for a physical therapist assistant is over $46,000 as of 2008 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent make over $63,000 and the lowest make around $28,000 or less. These salaries are greatly influenced by location, demand of therapists and the type of care facility in which a physical therapy assistant works. A good education is key in obtaining any position; assistants will only get hired if they have completed some sort of courses. Diplomas and licensing are also required in most states.
Salaries by Industry
The annual salary varies based on the industry in which the assistants work. Facilities that offer home health care and services typically pay their assistants the highest, according to BLS figures, with an annual average of around $52,000. Nursing care facilities come in a close second with around $51,000, followed by hospitals, office health practitioners and regular physicians with averages close to $45,000. The BLS predicts these salaries will rise steadily with the demand for more physical therapist assistant positions.
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