I'm looking into becoming a physical therapist, and I know that it is required to have experience either shadowing or working at different facilities (usually 3 I believe). I would preferably like to have some paid experience so I can do that rather than waiting tables while I work on prereqs (which will take me about 3 years).
I live in Colorado and I read that it is not required to have a license to practice as an assistant. A quick browse through current job openings led me to find that all required an associates in PTA. Although I love school and am very happy to continue my education, I am really not willing to go to a PTA school for 2 full years after all the schooling I have already and am about to do.
So what I'm really wondering is whether or not it is possible to work as a PTA without going to school and having a license, or if I will simply have to do volunteer work and work as a waitress for the next 3 years.
I live in Colorado and I read that it is not required to have a license to practice as an assistant. A quick browse through current job openings led me to find that all required an associates in PTA. Although I love school and am very happy to continue my education, I am really not willing to go to a PTA school for 2 full years after all the schooling I have already and am about to do.
So what I'm really wondering is whether or not it is possible to work as a PTA without going to school and having a license, or if I will simply have to do volunteer work and work as a waitress for the next 3 years.