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Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Ohio – OH

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 18 2010

Education for a Physical Therapy Assistant in Ohio

The US population is growing older. As the baby boomer generation hits retirement age there is sure to be an increased need for all types of health care occupations. Physical therapy assistants are expected to be highly utilized professionals in increasing numbers as new technologies enable more and more patients to recover and need physical therapy services. Physical therapists assistants are used by physical therapists to keep the overall costs of health care down and given their flexibility and knowledge they are keenly important individuals in the clinical, rehabilitative and acute physical therapy settings. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its most recently released research, states that the need for physical therapy assistants will continue to grow and the rate of growth for this occupation is fore-casted to be 35% through the year 2018. Ohio is no exception to this high growth potential. According to the BLS, Ohio has the highest concentration of physical therapy assistants employed across the nation with more than 4,600 people currently employed. This high concentration of workers is likely due to an older and aging population and so the need for more qualified professionals is expected to continue to rise dramatically.

Physical therapists give direction to physical therapy assistants. These professionals are trained to actually perform some of the therapy prescribed to patients and record the responses of the patients to treatment. The work of physical therapy assistants can help patients relieve pain and increase their ability to move parts of the body more freely and with greater ease. Physical therapy assistants should physically be strong as they will likely have to lift and move patients as needed. A physical therapy assistant must be trained and in most states is a licensed professional.

Physical therapist assistants in Ohio are expected to have an extensive amount of education and understanding of the human body with physical sciences and anatomy. Physical therapist assistant schools offer programs that are minimally two years in length, and typically result in an associate’s degree upon completion.

Continuing Education

Ohio law governs that you must renew your license every 2 years. With each renewal you must provide proof of 12 contact hours of Ohio Physical Therapy board approved and recorded continuing education. The education requirements help you to keep current with the laws and regulations of your profession and are incredibly important to complete.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron and Dayton, Ohio may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Akron City Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic and the many University Hospitals and Mercy Hospitals.