Read More About the Physical Therapy Career Requirements

A physical therapist attains fulfillment in his career when he is able, successfully to dole out diverse treatments to his patients, alleviate them from pain and distress, and bring a smile to their faces. This challenging career not only gives them the opportunity for treatment but also in assessing the ailments, diagnosis and providing the right kind of relief. The job being highly specialized, calls for physical therapy requirements of the highest order, for dealing with the problems of the afflicted persons.

Different states in the USA have varying standards of employment and some of them insist that the physiotherapists employed by them continue with their higher continuous education in the field to be current with the latest techniques and developments. They want all their physical therapy employees to impart the highest standards of treatment to the patients who visit their institutions.

Rehabilitation is a major factor in the physical therapist's occupation. Patients, in locations as diverse as fitness centers, hospitals, clinics and their own homes find respite from the able administration of physical therapy by the experts in the institutions. A physical therapist assistant must have at least an associate physical therapy degree, and they should know everything about operating the different medical equipment, therapeutic exercises, and monitoring the systematic progress of the patients and impart the right therapy education to them for a faster recovery.

The USA has stringent requirements laid down in the matter of employing physical therapist assistants. As of 2011, 276 Commissions on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) approved centers, conferred associate's degrees to students of therapy. American requirements prohibit employing assistants without completing post secondary programs accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) or the CAPTE, referred to above. These degree programs focus on rehabilitation, and include courses in medical terminology, physiology, therapeutic exercises, human development, health care, law, and the rehabilitation procedures itself.

Additionally, the final three semesters of the study curriculum will include three practical exams on subjects such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and even first aid. Additionally, clinical experience is a great plus point for those who covet the post of therapy assistants.

Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) held by the Federation of State Boards of therapy is inevitable for those who wish to pursue a physical therapy career. Most of the states in the USA, except Colorado and Hawaii, insist on a CAPTE accredited program, as well. Some states also hold their own exams and the physical therapy assistants will have to take progressive exams to keep their license and certification alive. Those assistants who require specialization in, say, pediatric therapy and have completed in the last 5 years, with a work experience 2000 hours and continuous education of 60 hours, can apply and obtain certificate of advanced proficiency from APTA, provided they are members.

Just for information, a physical therapist assistant must have minimum at least a state sponsored associate degree accredited by the APTA.