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Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Virginia – VA

By Laura Wrede, allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 22 2010

Education Requirements for Physical Therapy Assistants in Virginia

When choosing from the various online and campus based Virginia physical therapy assistant schools you will consider many factors. You will want to determine that the program you are looking into has been approved for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).  If it is not, Virginia makes allowances for non-accredited programs, unlike other states. Contact the State Board for details prior to enrolling.

You will also want to explore all your possibilities of how you will accomplish your education. Whether you are thinking of going to a local community college or taking a distance-learning program, there is more than one way to achieve your goal. As you do your research, several other factors will play into your decision, but the primary one is expense.
The cost of the program will always be a prime factor. Where the school is located in relationship to where you live can affect that. The closer you are the less costly in travel expenses. These are the types of details to consider when the time comes to make your selection.

The program itself will be filled with courses such as anatomy, biology and other sciences. You can also assume you will be taking courses designed to enable you to have good client relationships, as communication skills will be important.
Your degree is going to take about 24 months or more to complete and in the end, you will have an Associate’s Degree appropriate for Physical Therapy Assistant.

Continuing Education

Every other year, each Physical Therapist Assistant in Virginia is instructed to do 10 hours of educational credit in order to obtain a license renewal. Personal contact courses are the expected nature of the units.

The type of courses can be prearranged study programs, classroom practices or comparable educational encounters uniquely tied a medical practice for the PTA. The choice you make must also be approved or supplied by a certified organization, qualified to do so.

http://www.dhp.state.va.us/PhysicalTherapy/pt_faq.htm#Exams:

PTA Salary Expectation in Virginia

The yearly income for a Physical Therapist Assistant in the Virginia is an excellent starting wage at approximately $55,000 annually.
http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=Physical+Therapy+Assistant&l1=virginia

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Arlington, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Alexandria, Portsmouth and Hampton, Virginia 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 University of Virginia Medical Center, Saint Mary's Hospital, Lynchburg General Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital.