You’ve been working hard in school, and you think the time has come to start thinking about your career. But how do you go about getting the job you want? It’s not as easy as just sending out a resume and hoping for the best.
The process is much more involved than that, and in this post, we’ll walk through all of the steps you need to take before landing your dream job as a physical therapy assistant (PTA).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Pursue an accredited PTA program and obtain an associate degree. |
| Gain relevant clinical experience through internships or volunteer work. |
| Network with professionals in the field and join industry organizations. |
| Stay updated with the latest advancements and trends in physical therapy. |
| Showcase your strong communication and interpersonal skills during job interviews. |
| Highlight your ability to work well in a team and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. |
| Demonstrate your passion for helping patients and providing quality care. |
| Be proactive in seeking professional development opportunities and continuing education. |
| Tailor your resume and cover letter to showcase your skills and qualifications for PTA positions. |
| Prepare for job interviews by practicing common interview questions and researching the employer. |
Create A Portfolio Of Your Work
A portfolio is a collection of your work that showcases your talents, skills, and achievements. It’s important to have one because it allows you to present yourself in the best possible light.
A good portfolio will make you stand out from other candidates and give recruiters something memorable about you to remember when they are considering hiring someone new.
Here are some things to keep in mind when creating a physical therapy assistant portfolio:
Make it personal – Your portfolio should reflect who you are as an individual.
This means including things like photos from travels or events that have shaped who you are today; including things like letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors at work; including items that show off hobbies outside of work (such as scrapbooking).
Try not to include any personally identifying information such as names or addresses though! The more unique content there is in here, the better chance there will be for someone to find something interesting enough about what they see inside this folder/binder/etc.,
Which will hopefully lead them to want more info on how exactly did this person get into this field? What type of work do they do? Etc.”
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Get To Know The PT Practice
Meet with several physical therapists and ask about their work environments, the staff, and the patients. Ask about their philosophy of treating patients and what they believe are important factors in patient care.
Find out if they have a team of assistants or if one person takes on all roles for each patient during treatment sessions. Do not be shy about asking questions regarding responsibilities, hours worked per week or day, salary expectations, etc.
This will give you a better idea of whether this would be an ideal fit for you as well as help you determine whether or not the practice is right for your needs.
Build Your Network
The first thing you should do is build your network. This means making connections with people who can help you in the future. If a position opens up in your field, but you don’t have the right connections, it’s unlikely that anyone will know about it or even consider you for the job.
The best way to build these connections is through networking events and there are plenty of opportunities for this at work and outside of your job as well.
You don’t need to be friends with everyone from every department; just look for common interests and see if any shared experiences might give you something in common with coworkers.
Even if they’re not available now, make sure their numbers are on file so that when an opportunity arises later on down the road (or when another member of their family needs care), they’ll think of calling upon someone helpful during this period first!
This can also give them an idea about how valuable having good service providers around town is – which means more business coming back through referrals later down the line too!
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Practice Good Bedside Manner
Good bedside manner is one of the most important qualities you can have as a physical therapy assistant. Your ability to communicate effectively will help you get along with patients, educate them about their condition, and assist with exercises and treatment plans.
It’s important to be friendly, courteous, and respectful. Being patient, kind, and compassionate goes without saying these qualities are required no matter what profession you are in!
As a PT Assistant, however, you will spend more time interacting directly with patients than other healthcare workers do so it is essential that they like working with you.
On top of being nice (which isn’t always easy), good communication skills are crucial for anyone who wants to succeed as a physical therapist assistant.
This means listening well when someone speaks; communicating clearly when talking about any topic;
Asking questions if there are things you don’t understand; being able to express yourself clearly through written or spoken word; avoiding jargon when possible so everyone understands what’s going on; staying calm under pressure.
Be A Team Player
What does it mean to be a team player? A physical therapy assistant is expected to work as part of a team with other health care professionals, patients, and their families.
It’s also important that you understand that teamwork extends beyond the workplace: teamwork contributes to success in life itself.
Here are three ways you can demonstrate your willingness to play an active role in teams while seeking employment:
When applying for jobs at clinics or hospitals, make sure you speak with the manager or supervisor about how much emphasis will be placed on teamwork during your employment (some facilities emphasize patient-centered care, which means there’s less focus on teamwork).
Volunteer at your local community center so you can practice working as part of different types of groups (e.g., sports teams, youth clubs).
Join clubs or organizations where you’ll have opportunities to meet new people from different walks of life who share common interests with yours; this will help prepare you mentally for working with others outside of your comfort zone later on down the road.
Send Thank-You Notes
In addition to keeping you on the right track, your dream job search will be greatly aided by sending thank-you notes. While many people don’t send them anymore, they can make an impression and help set you apart from other candidates.
A handwritten note is still considered the most professional way of thanking someone for their time and attention in an interview process. If you’re going to go this route, though, keep it brief; three sentences is plenty!
Say something specific about what the individual has done for you especially if that person is not your direct supervisor or manager and let them know how much their help means to you (even if it’s just a quick contact with another member of staff).
Send these notes as soon as possible after each interview within a week would be ideal so that they’re fresh in everyone’s minds when decisions have been made about who’ll get called back for the next steps in the hiring process (if there are additional rounds).
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Keep Your Options Open
Don’t be afraid to change your mind. If you find out that physical therapy isn’t for you, don’t burn any bridges by quitting in a fit of rage or calling out all the ways the profession sucks on social media.
Remember that knowing how to do something doesn’t mean it is right for you and if this job doesn’t work out, there are plenty of other options available!
Keep Your Options Open Through College And Beyond
It’s never too early to start thinking about what comes next, so if you’re graduating from high school or considering changing majors while at college, keep an open mind and try new things!
Don’t let fear of failure hold you back from exploring new opportunities: after all (and most importantly), life is about taking risks and learning from our mistakes along the way.
Find The Right Balance Of Experience And Education
One of the first questions physical therapy assistants will be asked is, “What kind of experience do you have?” That’s because experience is the best indicator of whether or not you’ll succeed in the role.
However, there are plenty of people out there who can’t find jobs because they don’t have enough education yet but do have good work experience.
If you want to land your dream job as a physical therapy assistant, it might be tempting to ignore this advice and instead focus on getting as much education as possible before looking for a job.
But remember: You can always get more education later on if needed, after all, most states require only an associate’s degree for entry into the field [1]. Your time will be better spent getting some real-world work experience under your belt first!
Volunteer Through Professional Organizations
There are many ways to volunteer, and this will help you gain valuable experience. You could volunteer at a local hospital, clinic, or nursing home. You can also volunteer your time at a school, church, or other institution in need of assistance.
These types of activities will display your compassionate nature as well as show employers how much you enjoy helping others.[3]
As long as you’re willing to give back to the community and put forth effort in learning new skills, volunteering is an effective way for any aspiring physical therapy assistant to boost their resume and land their dream job!
Have Decent References Lined Up
It’s never a bad idea to have more than one reference. Having multiple people who can vouch for you and your work ethic is always going to come in handy (especially if they are professional references).
Be honest with yourself when choosing someone to speak on your behalf; do they know what you’ve been up to lately? Are they familiar with the type of work that you’re applying for?
And most importantly, are they willing to talk about their experience working with or knowing an applicant like yourself at length? If not, consider picking another recommendation source.
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Patience Is A Virtue
Patience is one of the most valuable skills a PTAA can have because it’s an essential part of the job. You may have to wait for the right opportunity, which can make you feel anxious or even discouraged. But when that right opportunity comes along, you’ll be ready for it.
Patiently waiting for an opportunity doesn’t just apply to jobs it also applies to leaving jobs too soon and being promoted without earning your stripes first.
If you’re feeling impatient about getting promoted or moving on from a job that isn’t fulfilling your needs or goals anymore (or if one day comes when there are no opportunities), remembers: patience is a virtue!
Work As Hard On Self-Promotion As You Do On Clinical Skills
When you are applying for a job, your physical therapist assistant resume is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It’s your chance to sell yourself and show that you are qualified and ready for this opportunity.
You may think that because you went through such a rigorous program, it’s enough to just list all of the clinical skills and education credentials that make up your background without much embellishment or fanfare.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth! You need to work as hard on self-promotion as you do on clinical skills if you want to stand out from other applicants who are vying for the same positions as yours.
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Conclusion
If you’re ready to become a PTA, start by looking at the available PTAs in your area. Make sure they can answer any questions you have about their experiences and certifications before committing to an interview.
It’s also important that you do your research on the job market so that you know what other jobs are available for people with your degree or experience level.
Physical therapy assistants tend not to have much trouble finding work; however, if possible try not to limit yourself geographically because some regions may offer better pay or benefits than others do!
Take care of yourself while searching for employment – remember not all jobs will be right for them but keep trying until something feels right!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on related topics:
4 Key Steps to Pursuing Your Dream Career as a Physical Therapist: Discover the essential steps you need to take to pursue a career as a physical therapist and make your dreams a reality.
Job of the Week: Physical Therapist Assistant: Learn more about the role of a physical therapist assistant, including the job responsibilities, required qualifications, and career prospects in this featured article.
Physical Therapist Assistant Essay: Dive into an insightful essay that explores the role and importance of physical therapist assistants in the healthcare industry.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant:
What is a physical therapist assistant?
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to provide rehabilitative services to patients. PTAs help patients improve mobility, manage pain, and regain strength through various therapeutic exercises and treatments.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist assistant?
To become a physical therapist assistant, you typically need to complete an accredited PTA program and obtain an associate degree. Additionally, most states require PTAs to be licensed or certified.
What are the job prospects for physical therapist assistants?
The demand for physical therapist assistants is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The aging population and increased awareness of the benefits of physical therapy contribute to the positive job outlook for PTAs.
What are the typical job responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant?
Physical therapist assistants assist in implementing treatment plans, conducting therapeutic exercises, documenting patient progress, and providing support to patients during therapy sessions. They also communicate with the supervising physical therapist and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
How can I advance in my career as a physical therapist assistant?
Physical therapist assistants can pursue further education and training to specialize in specific areas of physical therapy, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or orthopedics. Additionally, gaining experience and obtaining advanced certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles within the field.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.