The top four reasons people consider a career change are because they are unhappy, they want more money, or they desire greater flexibility or increased job satisfaction. A career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) can satisfy many, if not all those desires. Careers in physical therapy routinely rank in the top twenty for job satisfaction, flexibility, and job growth.
Why do people change careers?
Despite the general perception, people don’t just change careers on a whim. In my case I chose physical therapy as a second career because I couldn’t find a job after college graduation. It takes some forethought and planning before you can make that jump. According to Indeed.com, a person will think about a career change for an average of 11 months before acting and the top 5 reasons people consider a change include:
- Unhappiness in current job/profession
- Desire for greater flexibility
- A chance to earn more money
- Not challenged or satisfied
- Looking for more opportunities for advancement
Deciding to make a change is a big first step, but once you have decided to change what do you do? Choosing a new career has a lot to do with the reason(s) you considered a change in the first place. You need to identify what your current job/career is lacking and then try to find a choice that will get you what you need.
What makes physical therapist assistant a good career choice?
If a majority of people make career changes for the reasons listed above then working a physical therapist assistant is worthy of serious consideration as a new career. Physical therapist assistants are licensed healthcare workers that work under the supervision of a physical therapist. They provide physical therapy treatment to persons across all age groups and in all healthcare settings (hospitals, out-patient clinics, nursing homes, etc.). For more specific information about physical therapy, you can check out our blog: What is Physical Therapy?
Annual Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary is $58,520 with an average hourly wage of $28.14. Annual salaries are impacted significantly by the healthcare setting where the physical therapist assistant works, with skilled nursing facilities and home health settings paying the best. Geographical location can also have a large impact on compensation. More specific salary data can be found at: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312021.htm
Job satisfaction
Working in physical therapy provides a high degree of job satisfaction. I can’t count the number of patients who told me that physical therapy changed their lives. The treatment that PTs and PTAs perform can provide pain relief and restore the quality of life for patient’s that had little hope before seeking out our services. Making that kind of difference in people’s lives is what being a physical therapist assistant is all about.
Flexibility
The variety of job openings and work settings available provide the physical therapist assistant with a flexibility that is not always available in other careers. Much of the day-to-day routine of a PTA is determined by the type of patients they encounter and the healthcare setting where physical therapy treatment is provided. If you choose to work as a PTA, you will have the choice to work full-time, part-time or on an as needed basis based on your career goals and financial needs. In addition, providing physical therapy treatment in an acute hospital is a completely different work experience than treating patients in a sports medicine clinic. Therefore, if things get a little stale you completely change your daily experience without having to start a new career.
Advancement
As a physical therapist assistant, you can choose to focus on just providing patient care, however opportunities exist for PTAs to advance into management positions and even into ownership. I have had physical therapist assistant students that graduated and within 5 years had accepted clinic director positions. No matter what your level of ambition is, you can be sure to find it as a physical therapist assistant.blog
What attributes make a good PTA?
If you want to become a physical therapist assistant, you will need these 5 attributes:
- The ability to work well with people. This applies not only to being able to interact with patients but also to work as part of the physical therapy and the larger healthcare team.
- Compassion and energy. When people come to see PTs and PTAs they are usually hurting and not at their best, so it is up to us to empathize and support them until they get back up to speed.
- A passion for learning. To be an effective PTA you need to have a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology and in physical therapy procedures.
- Critical thinker. Even though PTAs work under the direction of the PT, they are expected to make daily decisions to ensure that treatment they provide is both safe and effective.
- Physical stamina. Providing PT treatment can be a physically demanding task, so you want to make sure you are up to the challenge before starting on your new career path.
What does it take to become a PTA?
You need to complete the following steps to begin working as a physical therapist assistant. First you must graduate from an accredited PTA program which requires two years at a community college or university. Then you must pass the national licensing exam for physical therapist assistants. Finally, you must apply for licensure in the state where you intend to work. Once you have been awarded your state license you can work as a PTA.
Worried about going back to school?
During my time as a physical therapist assistant program director the students that entered our program ranged in age from 17 to 58 with an average age of 28 years old. About 45% of students in our program were changing from a previous job/career into physical therapist assisting. I had multiple students who had retired from one career and were looking for something new to do. The demographics for my program were consistent with trends seen throughout PTA programs, so if you have any concerns about being the only older student you needn’t worry!
Are there physical therapist assistant jobs?
It is natural to have concerns when you start preparing for a change in careers that there won’t be a job for you when you finally get there. That won’t be the case if you choose to become a physical therapist assistant. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for PTAs will grow by 33% between 2019 and 2029. That gives you plenty of time to complete your training and be sure there will be a job waiting for you.
There are many reasons you might be considering changing careers. A career as a physical therapist assistant just might provide you the income, satisfaction and flexibility that is lacking in your current job. Remember,
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs –
References:
- 31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants. (2020, July 06). Retrieved December 15, 2020, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312021.htm
- Career Change Report: An Inside Look at Why Workers Shift Gears. (2019). Retrieved December 15, 2020, from https://www.indeed.com/lead/career-change