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Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Rhode Island – RI

By Mat Lindenberg, allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 19 2010

You can expect to spend at least two years working towards your goal to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Rhode Island, as this is usually how long it takes to earn an associate’s degree, which is necessary to practice in the state.

There are a few options for Rhode Island physical therapy assistant schools.  Your curriculum will consist in equal measure of class time and hands on work, most likely as a Physical Therapy Aide, or in second year as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Training. In class, you can expect to study a number of general medical topics, with an emphasis in anatomy and the human body, as well as having some credits you can dedicate to more general education topics, like math or English.

Rhode Island Physical Therapy Assistant Continuing Education

Physical Therapist Assistants in Rhode Island are required to complete 24 hours continuing education every renewal period, i.e. two years, to be eligible to renew. The hours will need to be earned at an approved program, but for continuing education purposes the state has widened its pool of available programs to include more than those accredited by the CAPTE. Regardless, only three of those hours can be earned through peer teaching, and less than half of the hours can be spent doing independent study or distance learning.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Providence, Warwick, Cranston and Pawtucket, Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Hospital, Kent Hospital, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.