What is the field of physical therapy like?

Today's physical therapists (PTs) and their assistants (PTAs) play a major role in health care. Physical therapy means the assessment, evaluation, treatment and prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health related conditions. Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist in the delivery of physical therapy services. Their duties include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures, and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses.

Physical Therapy work involves patients of all ages - from children to the elderly - and can be in many different settings: hospitals and medical centers, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities and school systems, private orthopedic clinics, home health care agencies, convalescent centers and extended care facilities. In particular, small communities have a high need for therapy services.

What program does SFCC offer?

SFCC's seven-quarter PTA program is designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment. Students complete 103 credits and graduate with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The program includes study in anatomy and physiology, social science, technical physical therapy courses and practical clinical experience in area health care facilities affiliated with the college. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. The technical courses for the physical therapist assistant program are not designed to transfer to four-year schools.

Admission into the program is competitive. Potential students are rated in two areas: academic preparedness and previous experience (either paid or volunteer) in a PT facility or related medical field.

The SFCC PTA program is rigorous and demanding. Students may find it difficult to work while in the program (even part-time). Embedded in the program are more than 565 hours of clinical education, and students spend this time working in physical therapy clinics as part of their coursework.

What do PTAs do?

Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist in the delivery of physical therapy services. Their duties include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to the plan of care, training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures, and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses.

Physical therapy practitioners work with the entire spectrum of the patient population and are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and medical centers, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities or school systems, private physical therapy clinics, home health care agencies, convalescent centers and extended care facilities.

Most PTAs are drawn to this field because of their desire to work with people to help them regain their functional abilities.

Questions about Physical therapy Jobs

How do I find jobs?

Use SFCC's Online Job Referral Database to get connected with the Jobs and Resources you need to succeed!

Where will I get a job?

Nationally, job placement of graduates of Physical Therapist Assistant programs is excellent. The Physical Therapist Assistant profession is rated by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest growing professions, and current projections indicate that this trend will continue. Graduates of SFCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program can expect to be hired immediately; to date, 100% of graduates who sought employment found work as Physical Therapist Assistants. There are many job opportunities for both men and women, and career opportunities for pursuit of specialty interests in rehabilitation, orthopedics, geriatrics, and pediatrics.

Licensure is required in Washington State for the Physical Therapist Assistant as of July 2007. Graduates are prepared to sit for the licensure exam.

How much will I earn?

Physical Therapist Assistant salaries vary with the type of facility, so there is significant salary disparity in the field. Generally, PTA salaries start at about two-thirds the salary of a Physical Therapist. In Spokane, starting salaries vary in range from $19 - $25 per hour and include benefits.