Becoming a Physiotherapy Assistant?

Consider Becoming a Physiotherapy Assistant for a Rewarding Career

You’re ready to pursue a career in health care but are not quite sure which path to choose. Perhaps physiotherapy intrigues you, but you don’t really want to spend many years completing a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Consider completing physiotherapy assistant courses instead for a diploma in this field of study. There is great demand for physiotherapy assistants, who do much of the hands-on work helping patients after a therapist designs customized programs for them.

At a school such as the Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology, you’ll learn about physical functioning of the human body, rehabilitation programs and specific strategies to help patients regain and maintain strength and flexibility. You’ll obtain practice in implementing various therapy techniques so that you’re fully qualified for the occupation when you graduate.

You may work with patients who have been seriously injured in a vehicle accident or who have suffered a debilitating issue such as a stroke. The therapist you assist may have patients who are dealing with chronic disorders such as lupus or multiple sclerosis. Some physiotherapists focus primarily on hand function. They help patients with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and those who have experienced a serious hand injury at work or elsewhere. Some mainly work with children who have developmental disabilities, while others mainly have geriatric clientele.

Your role as a physiotherapist assistant would involve assisting patients with their exercises and teaching them how to use assistive devices such as walkers and arthritis gloves. You might help patients get in and out of a whirlpool, apply warm paraffin wax to sore joints, and use deep-heat ultrasound to boost circulation and speed healing.

As a physiotherapy assistant, you’d be able to work in virtually any part of the country you want to. You could choose from work environments such as hospitals, rehab centers, physiotherapy clinics, sports medicine facilities and nursing homes.

The employment outlook is excellent for two important reasons. The general population is aging, and senior citizens tend to be more vulnerable to illnesses and accidents that require physiotherapy. In addition, advances in medicine and technology are allowing people to survive serious injuries that would have been fatal in the past. These individuals benefit from physiotherapy.

Becoming a physiotherapy assistant will provide you with a rewarding career and many employment options. Contact schools in your area to learn more.