Physical therapy offers exciting career opportunities, and work for a PTA might include performing physical therapy with patients in:
Ø A hospital after a hip replacement, injuries from trauma, or cancer;
Ø A school system with children who are disabled or need special attention;
Ø A private office for orthopedic or sports related rehabilitation;
Ø Home health agencies following the transition home for recovery from a disability;
Ø Industrial settings for the recovery from work injuries;
Ø A rehabilitation hospital or nursing home following a hip fracture or stroke.
In addition to performing physical therapy interventions such as electrotherapy or therapeutic exercise the PTA performs physical measures, documents the patient’s response to treatment, and provides education and support to patients and their families. Candidates for this career must truly enjoy working closely with people and studying science courses such as anatomy and physiology. To keep pace with the vast changes occurring in today's health care system the successful PTA should have a lifelong commitment to continued learning and development.
Return to the PTA Program’s Homepage