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Is physical therapy a really good career?

Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapy Assistants- is this a good career?

  • I need help to determine if this is the right career for me...Do you like your jobs? Is it exciting or does it become mundane after a while? What age groups do you primarily work ...show more

  • Answer:

    Well, I am not a PTA, but I am a PT. Most PTAs in 2005 were earning between $30-45,000 a year which breaks down to $14.40-21.60 and hour. Most work in hospital settings, but a large number also work in clinics. I think most PTAs are satisfied with their job...there are many opportunities, just like PT. I think what is frustrating for many PTAs is that those who do wish to become a PT do not really have good options. Even though there are two bridge programs (one in Ohio and one in California), they still need to spend a couple years completing the prerequisite courses they did not get as a PTA. So, really even the bridge program does not offer much of an advantage (except that it can be completed on weekends)...in essence, a PTA who wishes to become a PT must start pretty much at square one like everyone else. I can't say for sure, but I think OT is the same deal. My advice is that if you have any inkling of becoming a full PT or OT is to do it right off the bat...it might mean a couple years of debt, but a lot less than if you become an assistant and then decide to go back.

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My cousin went to school for occupational therapy assistant and while rewarding, she said that it can be both emotionally and physically draining and not to be thrown off by the term 'assistant'. There seems to be more job availabililty for the physical therapist assistant (they also need to have taken 'physics') though it is typically a more 'physical' ;) job. For the OT and PT (Not 'assistant'), it is quite competitive to gain acceptance into a program. The prospective student should have a 4.0 in prereq courses and overall gpa. And PT schools were once said to be more difficult to get into than medical school! For more info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'occupational therapy assistant' or 'physical therapist assistant' (an ot aide and pt aide are Very different and do Not require an associate's degree in the field). For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

jannsody

sure wonderful profession in the medical field and needed and also less effort and worth too much go ahead and take the chance

egyank

Philsop, talk with folks at local com.college to get better info. read '48 days to work u love' d.miller to understand where ur want to go. contact state OT PT agency for info. contact national PT OT organizations for real info.

robert w

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