Calling all Physical Therapists, Assistants and Career ...

[Alexandra]

I'm contemplating a career change (16 years in banking-currently corporate sales)and would really appreciate some insight on the field and information and advice on how to begin my journey.

How long and what type of training or schooling do I need?

What is a typical day like?

What do you like about the job/field?

What do you dislike?

What about income? I'm sure it varies by demographics and experience, of course, but can one make a living? I'm not looking for luxury,just enough for a single mother to pay mortgage, etc. and get her two children through college!

Also, to those that have made career changes (this field or other)how do you get over the "I'm too old or it's too late to start over" thinking? Or the "so your not passionate about your job, but you make good money, so just be glad and play it safe"

It's scary and I feel like a highschool or college graduate just starting out!

Any other information, advice, words of wisdom and encouragement are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Alexandra

 

[Alexandra]

Bumping

 

[susieq]

RE: Calling all Physical Therapists, Assistants and Car...

First Alexandra, I'm not answering your question. Sorry!!! I was just logging on to ask a similar question and saw your post!

My question to Physical Therapist is, can you really become and assistant PT through correspondence? The company I took computer from (very good course) offers PT assistant. Is this really possible and would someone hire you? I live 40 miles from the nearest college.

I hope I'm not taking away from your post Alexandra! Maybe someone will answer both our questions soon!

Susan

 

[cab0899]

RE: Calling all Physical Therapists, Assistants and Car...

I'm not sure if I can help. I'm actually an occupational therapist rather than a physical therapist. When I went to university (graduated 1992) our degree was a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation with a major in either occupational theapy or physiotherapy. BMR(OT) or BMR (PT). So we took about half our classes together and half in our specialities. I work very closely every day with the physiotherapists. In the city where I work we are also all in the same union so on the same payscale.

When I went to school it was 4 year Bachelor program at the university. Just last year it has converted to a 5 year entry level Master's program. Canada (where I am from) is very different than the USA on the rehab assistant programs. I know in the USA there are courses to become a certified assistant which is usually 2 years long (I think). The USA relies heavily on assistants, for example the therapists do the assessment of the patient but an assistant carries out the treatment program. In Candad the therapist still carries out most of the rehab program. We do now have a rehab assistant program that is one year long but it's so recent that we really haven't started using assistants the way they do in the USA.

The pay I'm sure varies from region to region, and from type of workplace,etc. I feel like it's a good salary that you can support a family with.

Pros of the job: can be extremely rewarding, getting to work with people, get to be active all day rather than sit at a desk

Cons of the job: can be very sad at times, realizing sometimes that you can't make your patient any better as much as you wish you could, too much paper work. LOL

As for going back to school at an older age, I think it's great! My mom was a teacher before she had her 3 daughters (triplets) and she stayed home until we were about ??10 y ears old. She then went back to school and got an accountancy degree. She was going to school parttime so all the way through high school and university she was studying also. I know she is glad she returned to school and at age 60 working at a job she enjoys.

Hope this helped a little. Kim

 

[Alexandra]

RE: Calling all Physical Therapists, Assistants and Car...

Kim,

Thank you for responding and for your encouraging words!

Alexandra