Any PTs or PTAs out there?

[squirrlygirl]

While my heart has always been set on being a physical therapist, I never thought it would be possible. My shoulders have been falling apart, and I thought they couldn't be fixed.

But I've finally found some excellent doctors and therapists, and I'm optimistic that I may actually be able to function when all's said and done!

I've started looking toward the future, and I always come back to being a PT. I'm a hands-on, "do" kind of girl, and while I tried to convince myself that I would be better suited to working in the office, I know that I'd be always looking out and wishing I was working with the patients.

So. My questions. Since I'm relatively old and have young children, I'm leaning towards becoming a PTA instead of a PT. While it looks good on paper, I'm wondering how it is in the real world. Do employers actually hire PTAs? When I do a search I find plenty of agencies but little in the way of actual open positions. I'm not sure if that's because I don't know where to look or what. I'm in Michigan, and I do know that there were recently some new licensing requirements put in place for PTAs. I know I won't make as much money, but since that has nothing to do with why I want to do this, it makes little difference.

Will my age be an obstacle in being hired? Is there a stigma attached as far as not being a "real" PT?

For anyone that can answer, thanks. I want to go into this with my eyes wide open and realistic expectations.

 

[daughtersrus]

While my heart has always been set on being a physical therapist, I never thought it would be possible. My shoulders have been falling apart, and my right thumb has some nerve damage that has caused some pain and weakness.

But I've finally found some excellent doctors and therapists, and I'm optimistic that I may actually be able to function when all's said and done! I'm 5 weeks out from a bankart reconstruction on the left, and my right will be done in a few months. Half my thumb's problems have recently been found to be due to a torn ligament, and that can be fixed, too

I've started looking toward the future, and I always come back to being a PT. I'm a hands-on, "do" kind of girl, and while I tried to convince myself that I would be better suited to working in the office, I know that I'd be always looking out and wishing I was working with the patients.

So. My questions. Since I'm old (33) and have young children, I'm leaning towards becoming a PTA instead of a PT. While it looks good on paper, I'm wondering how it is in the real world. Do employers actually hire PTAs? When I do a search I find plenty of agencies but little in the way of actual open positions. I'm not sure if that's because I don't know where to look or what. I'm in Michigan, and I do know that there were recently some new licensing requirements put in place for PTAs. I know I won't make as much money, but since that has nothing to do with why I want to do this, it makes little difference.

Will my age be an obstacle in being hired? Is there a stigma attached as far as not being a "real" PT?

For anyone that can answer, thanks. I want to go into this with my eyes wide open and realistic expectations.

I'm not a PT or a PTA but wanted to chime in. My DD has been getting PT for over 15 years now from the same therapist and we've become very good friends so I base my knowledge on what she has shared.

Licensing laws have changed in the last few years. To be a licensed PT, you now need a doctorate instead of a masters. That alone can add quite a bit to your expenses as well as your time line.

PTA are hired very often. As a matter of fact, most school districts will have PTA and OTA in the classroom settings working with the students while a much smaller number of PTs and OTs, supervise and write the treatment plans.

My friend works mostly for a home agency for the elderly now. She is paid "per visit". The pay is higher than a PTA but she said that she spends quite a bit of time outside of the visit writing reports and doing a lot of other paperwork. She would rather work for the company as a PTA treating the patients and making less money and not have to spend so much time at home working on all of the paperwork. Of course, the company won't allow that since she's over-qualified to be a PTA.

My friend does love her career choice. She likes the flexibility of working with pediatrics, sports injury, elderly... The settings are also varied. It could be in a school (same hours as her children attend), a clinic, a hospital, a nursing home...so there really are a lot of options. The same is really true for a PTA as well.

My DN is starting a program at his local community college next year to be a PTA. I haven't looked into it but from what my DS said, it's a 2 year program.

Whichever you choose, I don't think that you will have any difficulty finding a job.

 

[squirrlygirl]

Thank you for that! I do plan on badgering my own PT with questions eventually, but I have to wait until the PT is a little less painful so I can think
I know the program I'm looking at is 2 years once you've done your prerequisites and been accepted. It says there's a waiting list procedure in place due to being a high-demand program, but almost all classes show availability for the term starting today

 

[mousefanmichelle]

Hey there fellow Michigander! I work for a rather large hospital system in MI and in the PT/OT Dept.

The PP was right - the PT program is now a PhD program and the PTA's as of 1-1-10 are now required to be licensed by the State of MI and that is a 2 yr. program. If your looking for money - you won't make it hand over fist as a PTA.

We hire PTA's but right now our problem is that there is a hiring freeze therefore no hiring at all. Lots of our PTA's and PT's are doing homecare on the side to supplement their income since maybe their spouse has lost a job. Lots of PT's are leaving to do straight homecare since they can make more money overall.

Maybe you would consider being an OT? It is a masters program now but there are many different areas you could go into with OT.


Good luck to you!
Michelle

 

[savannahcat]

I currently have an accounting degree, but I am starting classes next week in preparation for beginning a PTA program in the fall. It's my intention to do home health after graduation because I need a job with a great degree of flexibility. The money is much better than what I could earn doing part-time bookkeeping or similar.

A good friend of mine is a PT who contracts with a home health agency. She also says that, due to the amount of required paperwork, that she would rather be a PTA. Around here, there is about a $15/visit gap between the PT rate and PTA rate. ($55 vs. $40). Keep in mind that this a contract rate with no benefits.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I've considered OT, and even volunteered in with OT at the local hospital at one time, but PT is really close to my heart I expect it's only natural when I've been in and out of PT clinics for years and have seen firsthand how beneficial it can be.

Michelle, it doesn't surprise me that somewhere in Michigan has a hiring freeze I can only hope that by the time I'm ready to work that our state will be on a better track than it is now!

I wish I could go to school for a PTA, and then down the road continue on to a PT but it looks like the PTA program isn't aligned with the PT program?

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am pretty sure most PTs get their bachelor's in kinesiology. Many of the "prerequisites" may transfer to the general education requirements for any BS/BA degree, but probably not any of your clinical work.At our rehab hospital we are having to severly limit our PTA hours based on new Medicare reimbursement regs.
We also have a job catagory called "rehab tech" which helps out in many non 'skilled areas.

 

[squirrlygirl]

...At our rehab hospital we are having to severly limit our PTA hours based on new Medicare reimbursement regs...

Interesting...a PT friend of mine that works at a local hospital just told me that PTAs are getting more hours due to the lower reimbursements

 

[Judy from Boise]

The acute hospital is most likely not billing for the PT hours, as they are paid on a DRG basis, so PT hours are just an expense, and PTA hours make great sense.
At a rehab hospital we can actually bill for therapy time as long as it is a liscensed PT, but PTA hours we "eat" as an expense. Almost the opposite.

 

[mamajoan]

PTA since 1979... a car accident while doing homecare in 1999 ended my career.. and I miss it everyday!

I had a great career as a PTA.. all hands on -one on one with patients... loved it!! That is the benefit of being a PTA.. yes, you are the work horse.
Due to my husband being a Marine, we moved often.. I always had a job... I had my pick of opportunities. Besides patient care a few of the options I pursued were clinic management, instruction of PT aides, managed an RNA program, helped to develop a new PTA program, worked on PTA legislation, but the best part was working with patient everyday. So a career as a PTA can be as varied as a PT. I worked as a PTA in Illinois, California and Hawaii.

Yes there are limits being a PTA... varies state to state. I never found it to limit me or be a problem.

Please do not think that PTA's are less than a PT. They are an important member to any rehab team. Don't make it your second choice... I have seen people do this and it shows. Yes, the PT is in charge of the evaluation and treatment plan, but a great PT listens to the PTA's opinion too. PT's are awesome, they have the extensive education.

I never accepted the term "just a PTA". and I request that other PTA's do the same.

PTA is one of the top ten careers for the future, the money has improved thru the years. Salaries are darn good these days! Yes, PT's are paid more... and it is well deserved.

As far as being too old.... no way. Seasoned yes.. but imho it makes for a better student.

Best wishes.. if you have any ? I can help you with give me a holler on a pm.

 

[squirrlygirl]

The acute hospital is most likely not billing for the PT hours, as they are paid on a DRG basis, so PT hours are just an expense, and PTA hours make great sense.
At a rehab hospital we can actually bill for therapy time as long as it is a liscensed PT, but PTA hours we "eat" as an expense. Almost the opposite.

Ok, makes sense. Kind of. After I looked up DRG

Mamajoan, sent you a PM.

 

[mamajoan]

just giving this a bump, because I know there are a few PT's and a few PTA's too...

PM back at 'cha OP

I also wanted to add that clinics, hospitals, SNF's utilize PTA's differently .. usually according to the Director.. .. and hopefully within State laws.

During my career I was fortunate to work with a number of Great PT's and PTA's - also SLP and OT's and OTR's. They were ethical, empathetic, honest,versatile, intelligent, team players that had very good skill sets.

As with any profession, the better and more varied your skill set as a PTA increases your options of employment.

BTW.. I have never heard of a good PTA having problems finding a job.

 

[Anne34]

One of my mom friends went back for PTA at our local community college a couple years ago. She was in her late 30's -- she did say the courses were difficult, but interesting. She completed the program last spring and got a job at the hospital that she had her internship at -- she's making about $25/hour.

 

[squirrlygirl]

Thank you for all the responses. The more I talk, research, read, and dream, the more I want to become a PTA. Is it a modification of my original dream? yes. But is it settling? No...it feels right for me. And there's nothing better than knowing that you're headed in the direction your heart AND head want.
Mamajoan, I'd completely fall in the good PTA category

 

[mamajoan]

atta girl!! your future awaits!