Hi, I am about to transfer to a physical rehabilitation program from Chemical Engineering. So after 3 years, I might work as a physical therapist assistant. However, I don't quite know what the PTA job is about, I hope it is not about doing massage. If that is the case, I would rather stay at Chemical Engineering.
How about the job of a PTA.
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Browse the forums here, lots of "pre-PTAs" and PTAs:
http://www.indeed.com/forum?q=physical+therapy
Have you thought about becoming a PT, instead of a PTA? PTs have more autonomy and are generally better paid, although the schooling is longer. BTW, I'm an ex-engineer too (mechanical, for me).
http://www.indeed.com/forum?q=physical+therapy
Have you thought about becoming a PT, instead of a PTA? PTs have more autonomy and are generally better paid, although the schooling is longer. BTW, I'm an ex-engineer too (mechanical, for me).
Thank you for your reply.
I was told the starting salary for PTA's is about 20-24$, I would be satisfied with this pay and I can not afford spending 7 years in school. Actually I enjoy my study of chemicals, it's just the pay is very low, about 15-16$.
But I guess PTs and PTAs are more or less the same, the only difference is just the PTs are acting like leaders to PTAs.
What do you think of this transition from an engineer to a PT? is it difficult?
I was told the starting salary for PTA's is about 20-24$, I would be satisfied with this pay and I can not afford spending 7 years in school. Actually I enjoy my study of chemicals, it's just the pay is very low, about 15-16$.
But I guess PTs and PTAs are more or less the same, the only difference is just the PTs are acting like leaders to PTAs.
What do you think of this transition from an engineer to a PT? is it difficult?
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Chem Engineers usually make a lot more than $15-16/hr. What part of the US are you from? Assuming you already have your BSCE, prerequisites + PT school should only be about 4 years for you. Im also assuming that you will only need bio, A&P and psych. That's only 1 more year of school over a PTA program if you're a post-bacc.
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You must still be in school for your ChemE degree? If you stick it out, you'll certainly make more than $32K/yr (or $15-$16/hr).
http://why.knovel.com/all-engineering-news/1337-engineering-salaries-in-2012.html
I don't know about PTAs' salaries. I run a survey on PTs' salaries, results here:
http://dptfinances.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/hello-world/
There is a significant difference between PTAs and PTs, IMO. Research both degrees before you decide.
As for the transition from engineering: you'll have to memorize lots of things if you're in any medical field. In engineering, not so much. For me, that was the main difference.
I am admitted into a 3 years physical rehabilitation program, I don't have the prerequisites for PT yet.
Most graduates from ChemTech don't become engineers, but lab technicians preparing solutions. the pay is very low. some earned only 10-12/hr as a start. That is what I see from previous graduates.
Most graduates from ChemTech don't become engineers, but lab technicians preparing solutions. the pay is very low. some earned only 10-12/hr as a start. That is what I see from previous graduates.
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ok, now I get it; you were/are in ChemTech, not ChemE.
May I ask what "3 years physical rehabilitation program" you got into? What school is that? Do you have all the pre-reqs already? I am asking because the competition to get into a PT program is pretty high, and I assume it's the same for PTAs.
May I ask what "3 years physical rehabilitation program" you got into? What school is that? Do you have all the pre-reqs already? I am asking because the competition to get into a PT program is pretty high, and I assume it's the same for PTAs.
I took a quick glance at the school's website. It is not clear to me that you will graduate with a PTA degree. I would advise you to call up the school and talk to them. I have no idea what the job market is like in Canada for PTAs and PTs, and what the entrance requirements are for either degree. Make sure you research those things carefully before you commit.
BTW, vous parlez francais? Folks in Montreal are much friendlier to you if you speak French.
BTW, vous parlez francais? Folks in Montreal are much friendlier to you if you speak French.
Je ne parle pas français. I am learning it.
This is what I got from google:
"In the province of Quebec, physical rehabilitation technicians (also known as physical therapy technicians) are health care professionals who are required to complete a three year college diploma in physical rehabilitation technology and successfully pass the membership examinations of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) to practice legally.
Most physical rehabilitation technicians complete their college diploma at Collège Montmorency, Dawson College, or Cégep Marie-Victorin, all situated in and around the Montreal area."
this means the graduates from this program are technicians. Any one knows what a physical rehabillitation technician or aide is? is it the same as a PTA?
This is what I got from google:
"In the province of Quebec, physical rehabilitation technicians (also known as physical therapy technicians) are health care professionals who are required to complete a three year college diploma in physical rehabilitation technology and successfully pass the membership examinations of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) to practice legally.
Most physical rehabilitation technicians complete their college diploma at Collège Montmorency, Dawson College, or Cégep Marie-Victorin, all situated in and around the Montreal area."
this means the graduates from this program are technicians. Any one knows what a physical rehabillitation technician or aide is? is it the same as a PTA?
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US requirements, in general, differ from Canadian physiotherapist requirements.
If you are looking for a comparative occupation, the US PTA and the Montreal Physical Rehabilitation Technician are very similar.
The only way to find out is to contact an equivalency board such as:
http://www.fccpt.org/apply/PrimaryServices/PTAEER/index.asp
I'm very curious. Why did you apply for an occupational program in rehabilitation, without knowing the depth of what the occupation consists of? The wage increase seems to be a driving factor, but if you do not enjoy what you do, you will be very unhappy.
If you are looking for a comparative occupation, the US PTA and the Montreal Physical Rehabilitation Technician are very similar.
The only way to find out is to contact an equivalency board such as:
http://www.fccpt.org/apply/PrimaryServices/PTAEER/index.asp
I'm very curious. Why did you apply for an occupational program in rehabilitation, without knowing the depth of what the occupation consists of? The wage increase seems to be a driving factor, but if you do not enjoy what you do, you will be very unhappy.
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From what I have seen, PTA is not demanding work - but I haven't seen all the PTAs in the world.
More importantly, and like Azi mentioned above, if you plan to stay in a field till you are 65, you should research it in painstaking detail before you commit to it.
A PTA in the states is much different from a "PTA" in Canada.
A Kinesiologist in Canada shares a similar salary and workload as a PTA in the states. The difference is a MPT in Canada deals more with fragile populations and a kinesiologist deals more with MSK/sporting applications. Kinesiologists have different licensing requirements between the states and canada as well. I believe (not positive) the program you are looking at is equivalent to a glorified PT aide program. Unlike the States, Canada does not use PTA's as liberally due to the structure of the healthcare system.
PTA= Physical Therapy Assistant which is not the Same as a PT Aide or (PT tech)
DPT
PTA/Kinesiologist
PT Aide/Tech
Just to add, I spent a season in Whistler working with disabled athletes and all of the major PT clinics worked closely with kinesiologists/trainers and didn't use PT Aides, a MPT is a HIGHLY competitive/desired position , they are not paid as high but have awesome benefits.
A Kinesiologist in Canada shares a similar salary and workload as a PTA in the states. The difference is a MPT in Canada deals more with fragile populations and a kinesiologist deals more with MSK/sporting applications. Kinesiologists have different licensing requirements between the states and canada as well. I believe (not positive) the program you are looking at is equivalent to a glorified PT aide program. Unlike the States, Canada does not use PTA's as liberally due to the structure of the healthcare system.
PTA= Physical Therapy Assistant which is not the Same as a PT Aide or (PT tech)
DPT
PTA/Kinesiologist
PT Aide/Tech
Just to add, I spent a season in Whistler working with disabled athletes and all of the major PT clinics worked closely with kinesiologists/trainers and didn't use PT Aides, a MPT is a HIGHLY competitive/desired position , they are not paid as high but have awesome benefits.
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