Physical Therapy Assistant Training

A physical therapy assistant is an individual who operates within a rehab setting and works only under the supervision of the licensed physical therapist for a PT. Physical therapy assistants are trained to assist patients with their therapeutic exercises. These exercises include range of motion exercises, balance and stretching exercises, as well as weight training routines.

Many physical therapy assistants are also certified and educated to perform therapeutic massage as well as ultrasound or electrical stimulation treatments. Under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. Most physical therapy assistants (PTA) provide patient education and offer information on adaptive equipment. Basically, this means that physical therapy assistants instruct patients as to how to correctly use crutches, walkers, and canes. Physical therapy assistants are an important part of the physical therapy team because they provide patients with motivation and hope for recovery.

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Physical therapy assistants are also required to maintain patient documentation and record. Records obtained through physical therapy include patient progress, or regression, as well as additional physical development reports that be maintained by physical therapist at his or her assistant.

The field of physical therapy, and the demand for physical therapy assistants, is expected to increase dramatically over the next ten years. In fact, this career path is among the top ten growing careers through year 2012. For this reason, many schools and secondary education facilities are offering physical therapy assistant programs as a part of their general curriculum.

In order to become a physical therapy assistant, and individual is required to successfully complete high school and obtain a diploma or GED and then continue on to obtain an associates degree from any one of many accredited community or junior colleges, four year universities, or vocational programs.

The education program to become a physical therapy assistant includes general educations courses (i.e. math, science, and English) as well as a host of classes concentrating on the field of physical therapy and the duties of the physical therapy assistant. In addition to the classroom setting, physical therapy assistant students are also required to complete a series of hands-on clinical requirements. Also, upon successful completion of an accredited physical therapy assistant program, graduates are required to successfully complete a state licensing examination. This exam ensures licensing through the American Physical Therapy Association.

In order to ensure that you were education program of choice is an accredited program, it is wise to ensure were. But the program has been approved by The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, or CAPTE.

Upon obtaining licensing, a physical therapy assistant, to secure a position will continue their education by undergoing on-the-job training performed by their supervisory physical therapist. Each physical therapist requires different specialties and specifications from their physical therapy assistants. Therefore, it’s vital that each physical therapist, has his or her own training program for incoming employees.

Because the growth outlook for this career field is so prominent, salary outlooks and the potential for advancement are very promising. According to the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary range for a physical therapy assistant range from $24,000 in the first few years of practice to around $52,000 after an individual’s practice has been well established.

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November 17, 2008 - 3:31 PM Comments: Closed

Physician’s Assistant Training

A physician’s assistant is an individual licensed to practice medicine under the direct supervision of a physician or surgeon. Many people confuse the job of the physician’s assistant with the job of the medical assistant. However, the duties of a physician’s assistant are far more in depth. Physician’s assistants are educated and trained to perform a wide variety of health care services. Some of these services include therapeutic operations, diagnostic services, preventative health screenings, medical examinations, as well as a host of others.

PAs operate under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Physician’s assistants also take medical histories, diagnose and treat variety of diseases review x-rays and perform laboratory testing. Physician’s assistants are also licensed to treat minor injuries; they often cast broken bones, splint joint injuries, and suture open wounds. In 48 out of the 50 states including Washington, DC physician’s assistants are also allowed to prescribe medications.


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PAs are often also responsible for managerial duties within a medical practice. They often delegate various duties to nursing staff and medical office staff as well as act on the doctor’s behalf during his or her absence. While physician’s assistants do not complete the amount of education and training as does a physician, they are considered a vital part of the medical staff, as they typically obtain responsibility for vital practices such as ordering medical supplies and scheduling routine maintenance of medical equipment. Physician’s assistants are often required to make house calls and complete rotations at local hospitals.

Physician’s assistants may also be the primary care giver within certain facilities. These facilities are often found in inner cities and rural areas, as well as varying health departments. In this situation, a PA answers to a physician however, a physician is not in-house. If a certain facilities, does not call for an in-house physician, PAs are required to obtain assistance as well as report to physicians at an alternate facility. This requirement is made by law in order to maintain practice.

In order to become a physician’s assistant, one must complete at least two years of a college education, continuing on to complete an accredited physician’s assistants program. These programs typically last around two years. In many cases, a physician’s assistant is also required to have some clinical experience prior to undergoing a physician’s assistant program. These programs are often offered through community colleges, junior colleges, four year universities, the military, and some hospitals. The best physicians assistants programs are accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

After education is completed, each state in the United States require PAs to complete a national exam to obtain licensure. This exam is called the Physician Assistant ational Certifying Examination. The test is administered by the NCCPA, or the National Commission for Certification of Physicians Assistants. PAs are also required to successfully complete at least 100 hours of continuing education each two years and pass a re-certifying exam every six years. The Department of Labor predicts an extreme growth trend in the field of physicians assistance through the year 2012.


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November 11, 2008 - 1:04 PM Comments: Closed

Medical Assistant Training

A medical assistant is an individual who has trained extensively to perform the duties delegated to them by a licensed physician. He or she should be well versed in communication as well as clerical operations, phone etiquette, hands-on patient care, and a host of other medical specialties. It is also an advantage that the medical assistant has obtained some hands-on clinical training, either on the job or through an accredited program of study. Medical assistants often come in contact with human pathogens, and therefore are required to wear personal protective equipment or PPE.

Medical assistants are required to perform a wide variety of duties. Often times these duties include scheduling appointments, patient filing telephone operations as well as more hands-on procedures in caring for patients. These hands-on duties include taking blood pressure, monitoring pulse rates and respirations, as well as taking temperatures and the overall review of vital signs. In some cases, a medical assistant is also trained and certified to perform dressing changes, complete blood draws, perform patient education, as well as operate x-ray equipment and execute EKGs. Medical assistants are also required to maintain guest facilities waiting rooms, exam rooms and perform equipment sterilization.


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Many of the duties performed by medical assistants will vary based on the physician under which they operate, the location in which they operate, as well as the specialties in which they have obtained education. It is widely known that a greater number of specialties earned by a certified medical assistant, the greater job responsibility expected in the working environment.

Demand for medical assistants is expected to increase through the year 2012. Because this career path is becoming such a high demand vocation, many colleges and universities and technical schools are offering educational programs to train in the medical assisting field.

In some cases, medical assistants are trained on-the-job. However, most successful medical assistants are required to complete a formal training program. In order to become a medical assistant, one is required to have a high school diploma or GED. It is possible to earn an AA degree in medical assisting, through various junior colleges and community colleges. It’s also possible to obtain accreditation through an approved program. In order to boast the most widely accepted accreditation your program of study must be approved by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the CAAHEP.

The outlook for the career path of the medical assistants is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. Newly graduating medical assistants can expect to earn an average of $17,000 a year and after having maintained their position can expect their earnings to reach as high as $34,000 year. Remember, salary ranges vary from state to state and region to region. However, the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains that most medical assistants will earn on average of $25,500-$30,000 per year.


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November 3, 2008 - 10:25 AM Comments: Closed

Home Health Aide Training

A home health aide is an individual who is trained to help recovering patients, elderly, and other disabled inhabitants who desire to live on their own, instead of maintaining housing within a health care facility. Home health aides operate under the direct supervision of a nursing or additional medical staff. Home health aides provide a variety of health-related services. They often administer medications, check pulse rates, temperatures and monitor other vital signs. Home health aides often are also required to administer guidance during home exercise routines and may be equipped to operate home health machinery like ventilators and/or breathing machines.

Often, home health aides are the first line of defense against most in home accidents are thwarted patients who are ill equipped to take care of themselves but still maintain a certain level of independence. Home health aides typically help patients. They eat and dress themselves, as well as groom themselves, and assist patients in getting in and out of bed to avoid accident and injury.


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The job of a home health aide should not be confused with the job of a personal care and eight. Personal care aides provide mainly housekeeping and other routine services to their patients. However like nursing aides, home health aides are required to monitor patients respiration rates change gauze and perform other medically inclined duties. In many cases a home health aide is required to give therapeutic massage, as well as assist with prosthetic limbs and or medical braces.

Most home health aides obtain their positions via a home health agency. Within a home health agency, typically, a registered nurse, social worker or physical therapist will assign specific duties to each eight. This supervisor also maintains a record of services for each patient and each aide, as well as provides reports for the patient’s condition to the patient’s primary care manager.

Home health aides, also known as an HHA (home health aide) or CHHA (certified home health aide), are required to obtain education as certified nursing assistants or CNAs. In order to become a CNA, potential students are required to have a GED work high school diploma. Most adult education programs, vocational schools, and some community and junior colleges offer CNA training. The Federal Government for Medicare Reimbursement mandates that a home health aide undergo and successfully pass an additional certification test as well as complete an additional 75 hours of hands-on practical training. Home health aides are also required to undergo periodic re-certification and obtain additional continuing education certifications. Training programs vary from state to state the typically, a CNA/HHA/CHHA is required to complete at least 300 hours of clinical practicum and classroom training.

If you have a desire to work in the health care industry and be a great help your fellow man consider home health aide as a career. Once you’ve obtained the necessary credentials to embark on this exciting career. You will be afforded a rewarding opportunity to assist those patients who need you the most.


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October 31, 2008 - 2:26 PM Comments: Closed

Becoming an EMT

Find EMT / Paramedic TrainingIf you’ve always longed for a career in health care, you may want to consider the possibility of obtaining your education in the field as an Emergency Medical Technician. Getting into an EMT training program can be as close as a few clicks away.

Before embarking on your education to become an EMT, you should first consider the basic duties an EMT performs on a daily basis. According to one online career study, “EMT-Basics usually work in teams of two or more. Following directions from a dispatcher, they drive specially equipped vehicles to the scenes of emergencies. Typically one of the first emergency workers to arrive, they assess the nature and extent of the injuries or illness, provide the appropriate emergency care, and determine transportation needs. EMT-Basics manage airway, breathing problems, control bleeding, treat shock and a myriad of other procedures in an attempt to stabilize the patient so the patient may be transported to a medical facility.” One thing to remember is that a slow day for the EMT is a good day for everyone else!

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Another aspect to consider prior to starting school is what kind of prospects you will have as an EMT, as well as the kind of money you can expect to make. After all, no matter how passionate we are about our work, we are usually in it for the money. If you live in a well populated area, or an area of economic growth you will find that there is a need for expanded emergency services. Fire departments employ EMTs as well and hire often in metro areas. EMT-Basic is a prerequisite for application in most departments. Private ambulance companies are also always expanding. EMT-Basics with a strong knowledge base and proficient skills are constantly needed in this area of EMS. You may even find work in the ER; sometimes emergency departments hire EMT-Basics as emergency room technicians.

Most of the time, fire department EMTs average around $30,000 per year. Private ambulance companies usually start EMT-Basics at about $8.00 per hour. Emergency department technicians are typically paid around $12.00 per hour. Many fire departments are presently looking for those educated beyond the EMT-Basic level and are searching for those certified at the EMT-Paramedic level. Paramedic firefighters make around $50,000 per year. And paramedics working for private ambulance companies are generally paid around $15.00 per hour.

Ultimately, finding education as an EMT will depend greatly on your desired certification level. Many EMT hopefuls start first with the EMT basic program and, once certified, they seek a job wherein they can continue education while they work. This may be a good option for you if finances are a problem. But remember, financial aid is available for most all educational programs, and health care training as an EMT is one of them. So, if you’re passionate about helping others, EMT training may be perfect for you - good luck!

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October 15, 2008 - 1:17 PM Comments: Closed

Training and Duties of a Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner Training

Find Nurse TrainingNurse practitioners are registered nurses who have successfully completed advanced levels of education and hands-on training. Most of the time, nurse practitioners are required to have a minimum of a master’s degree, accompanied with a high level of experience and training in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases, illnesses, and other medical conditions. Many nurse practitioners undergo training in areas of medical specialty as well.

Before you become a nurse practitioner, you must first successfully complete all the necessary training and general education required to become a registered nurse (RN). In some states, RNs only require an associates degree, but most employers recommend a bachelor’s degree as the favored educational level. (Once again, a master’s degree is the common educational level of a working nurse practitioner.) After successfully obtaining your nursing degree, you can apply for and enter a state-mandated Nurse Practitioner training program.


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Nurse Practitioner Duties

Nurse practitioners take on a job that is heavily similar to the job of a physician. Most nurse practitioners maintain close working relationships with certified physicians. Nurse practitioners perform the same duties that a primary care provider offers patients, ranging from pediatrics to general medicine and everywhere in between. Most states allow nurse practitioners to legally prescribe medication.

Nurse practitioners are legally allowed to manage independent medical practices. Some practitioners make the choice to work with medical teams that consist of doctors, assistants, and other nurse practitioners. The hospital setting is a very common choice for the nurse practitioner, as well as medical specialty facilities like oncology and cardiac practices.

Nurse practitioners not only handle the individual medical needs of their patients, they also monitor and keep track of the effects any given illness may have on the patient’s loved ones, as well as their work and home lives. They often conduct patient counseling and offer extensive information on self-care and maintaining good health. This counseling typically includes recommended treatment options for current issues and preventative measures to avoid future pitfalls. Most of the time, a nurse practitioner will place great emphasis on disease prevention, patient education, and overall health and wellness. Prioritizing overall wellness and disease prevention affords the nurse practitioner a lesser need to prescribe medication or recommend unnecessary medical procedures. However, if a particular case so dictates, the nurse practitioner can make referrals to an outlying specialist.

The government of each singular state regulates the level of care nurse practitioners are allowed to provide. For this reason, the working duties of the nurse practitioner can vary greatly. Their services are limited to the laws set forth by the state in which their practice is located. In most states, the nurse practitioner carries the duty of diagnosing and treating a wide range of illnesses, including chronic ailments, infection, and long term medical conditions. Nurse practitioners are also responsible for obtaining and updating medical histories and other records. Practitioners are also responsible, in some cases, for performing minor surgeries that can be executed in the office.


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October 12, 2008 - 4:17 PM Comments: Closed

Health Care Training Articles

EMT / Paramedic Training (1)
Health Care Training (17)
Home Health Aide Training (1)
Medical Assistant Training (1)
Nurse Training (11)
Physician's Assistant Training (1)
Respiratory Therapist Training (1)