Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Kansas – KS
Kansas is one of the least well-populated states in the country with its biggest city, Wichita, having just over 340,000 people. Only five cities have more than 100,000 residents. With this in mind, the opportunities for physical therapists’ assistants in Kansas are on the rise.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that there were 890 physical therapists’ assistants in the state in 2008. Salaries and concentrations of PTAs have risen over the last few years.
Part of the appeal of this career, unlike becoming a physical therapist, is that schooling can be completed much more quickly and requires much less continuing education (20 hours a year compared to 40 for PTs). Also, in Kansas students can begin preparing for this career in high school and graduate with an Associate’s degree in just two years.
Physical therapists, assistants are among the top 20 fastest growing careers in the country according to the BLS. Compared with other careers, including farming—a mainstay of the state—physical therapy and PTA careers in Kansas provide graduates with both job opportunities and competitive salaries. In Kansas physical therapy assistant schools provide the gateway to these open opportunities.
Continuing Education Requirements/Licensure Renewal
The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts offers and approves continuing education courses for all state-certified physical therapists’ assistants. State licenses must be renewed every year by December 31 and, to do so, each PT assistant must complete 20 hours of continuing education.
Continuing education coursework is designed to improve your abilities in:
- Clinical skills and administrative techniques
- Research process, skills and publication
- Problem solving and ethics
- Better serving patients and their families and dealing with other healthcare professionals
- Legislation, documentation, and reimbursement issues
When you have completed your continuing education courses, simply log on to the Kansas Physical Therapy Association (http://www.kpta.com/ceuapp.html) to download the application. Submit this to the following address with a $40 fee no later than January of each odd-numbered year and wait for them to review your materials and continuing education credits.
KPTA Chapter Office
214 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 205
Topeka, KS 66603
Attention: Continuing Education
Note: If you fail to renew your license ($70 each year) by the late deadline of January 31, your license will be canceled and you will not be able to practice physical therapy until the state board reinstates your license.
As the KPTA only handles continuing education and not initial licensure, all questions regarding licensing and certification in the state should be directed to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts at (785) 296-7413.
Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Physical Therapy Assistants in Wichita, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas 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 Wesley Medical Center, Via Christi Regional Medical Center, and Saint Francis Health Center.