Physical Therapy Aide/Assistant Information

[blpham21]

I just graduated from a 4-year university and would like health care experience to add to my resume before i apply to a PT program. I have briefly looked into Physical Therapy Aide, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Emergency Medical Technicians.

I have researched more of what it requires to become an EMT but am a bit fuzzy on the other two. Is there any information you could provide regarding the positions and how both may affect how PT programs look at you? Thank You

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[greco13]

PT Assistant would require completing an associate's degree and is not recommended by the APTA as a route to DPT. There are tech. programs to become an aide/tech but they're not necessary (check state laws to be sure) and the aides I know regret spending the money because everything can be learned on-the-job. To get an aide/tech. position just apply. Having a degree will help...especially if it's science related. If I were you I'd get an aide/tech. position somewhere, log a bunch of hours in a variety of settings, get some great LORs and apply.