In most states, physical therapy assistants are required by law to have an associate degree. An associate degree in this field typically takes two years to complete. Remington College in Ohio is an example of a school that offers this type of degree. When looking for a program, students should look for schools that are accredited, according to Education-Portal.com. The American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredits several physical therapy assistant programs. To get into an associate degree program, students usually need a high school diploma or GED. When applying for the selective professional part of the program, students additionally need competitive grades in their pre-requisite classes. Applicants at Essex County College in New Jersey actually also have to complete several volunteer hours in a physical therapy setting and pass a Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test as well.
Classes in a physical therapy associate degree program cover topics such as anatomy, biology, medical terminology, physical therapy science, patient care skills, orthopedic therapeutic exercises, neurological therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation principles. Rehabilitation principles might include transfer activities and patient positioning. Students also should learn techniques such as radiant energy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, paraffin and cryotherapy procedures. In addition, they usually learn how to perform massage techniques for certain patients, care for wounds, sterile technique and how to monitor vital signs. Students might cover advanced first aid, pathology, pharmacology, kinesiology, human musculature, algebra, English, psychology and even technical writing as well.
An associate degree program in physical therapy prepares students to take licensure exams for physical therapy assistants. Most states require physical therapy assistants to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, and some states require these professionals to mass state exams. In addition, physical therapy assistants usually must complete continuing education credits to keep their licenses. The American Physical Therapy Association also recognizes assistants who gain extra skills in specialty clinical areas such as pediatric, cardiopulmonary or integumentary physical therapy.
Most physical therapy associate degree programs require students to complete a certain number of hours of on-the-job clinical experience. These internship opportunities might be available in a hospital or clinic that offers physical therapy services and prepare students for real work in this potentially demanding field.
With an associate degree in physical therapy, an individual can find entry-level jobs as physical therapy assistants in hospitals or doctor's offices. Other physical therapy assistants work for nursing care facilities, home health care services, outpatient care centers, hospices, fitness centers or inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Employment of physical therapy assistants is expected to climb by 35 percent from 2008 to 2018, mostly because of the increasing elderly population. Median annual wages of physical therapy assistants in May 2008 were $46,140, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.