Hi! I'm a PTA student in my first senior rotation. I have 5 weeks left at this clinical site, then another 5 weeks at a different site, graduation, then the PTA exam.
What I'm starting to worry about is not my exam, but rather my first day at my first job. I'm almost panicked because I asked my clinical instructor today and she said there isn't any on the job training. Like I'm supposed to be hired and basically just jump right into treating patients and reading charts and figuring out a plan of care. Is this right?!
I realize clinicals is like on the job training, but its been completely different at the 2 previous sites I have been to. Is there no shadowing or anything the first day or 2? I'm a bit of a slow starter, I like to see how things are done before jumping in. At this site in 1.5 weeks I will be completely on my own treating patients. I'm terrified and excited to begin.
So, can anyone tell me about their first day on their jobs? What was expected of you your first few days. What didn't you know? Fill me in.
Thank you
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - First Day at Your First PTA Job: Hi! I'm a PTA student in my first senio...
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - PTA Liscence Exam: HI ALL MY FELLOW PTAS AND SPTAS!!! So...
HI ALL MY FELLOW PTAS AND SPTAS!!!
So I take the PTA exam January 14th and am super nervous! Will someone let me know if I'm hitting the mark with my practice test sores?
PEAT
RETIRED EXAM
110/150=73%
Scale Score-632
PRACTICE EXAM
98/150=65%
Scale Score-657
SCOREBUILDERS PRACTICE TEST #1
92/150=61.3%
It says that I passed the PEAT because I scored over a 600 and that I scored above the average of 60% on score builders but I still feel like my scores still might be a little low. Did anyone else get similar scores and PASS?
I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks :)
Molly
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Insight from thoses in the PTA program: [QUOTE who="honeybee7606@yahoo.com in Fo...
[QUOTE who="honeybee7606@yahoo.com in Fort Lauderdale, Florida"]I think the majority of public college would require that you have a high GPA and completed most of the required preq. They mostly go by a point system, so the more classes you've taken and the higher your GPA the better your chance. Now the private colleges may be a bit more lentient because of course the more student the better for them.
I don't prefer a private vs a public for a few factors, price, price, and may not be well recognized. The ones that my be a possibility are Broward College/Edison, State College (both public, then Keiser or South University (both private).
I been doing my research so for the most part I am quite aware of what is required. You been excepted already, did you have a high GPA and have completed most of the preq?
I know when the time approaches I will be ready for what is to come. Failure isn't in my forecast.
Thanks![/QUOTE]
Regarding * south university * : may I suggest you all Please avoid attending this "private" corperate institute!! I went there completed 1/2 my degree until I could no longer ignore their incompetence and poor standards of education. South university. Really really stinks, unorganized and unprofessional.
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Why so little opportunity for PTAs to pursue the DPT?: To Sarah, I'm a PTA...I've made as mu...
To Sarah,
I'm a PTA...I've made as much as $55/hour on travel contracts and for up to 9 months. That's a lot more than 78k. Just saying....truth be told!
And, for the PTA program you have to go to school 4 years. 2 years generals and 2 years in the program. Please let's get the facts straight.
Thank you!
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - pta licensure exam review course: Hello, Im studying for the PTA exam ...
Hello,
Im studying for the PTA exam for April 2015. Does anyone know of a Audio complete study guide? I have test anxiety and I reading is very difficult for me. I cant seem to move forward with my studying because I'm so easily distracted. I complete all my studies using audio support for the same reason. Please help or if there's additional study help, Im all for it.
Thanks and good luck to everyone
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - How to get a PT Aide job: I was looking for a PT Aide job for abou...
I was looking for a PT Aide job for about a year. It's not until I stopped looking that I was offered one (and although I wanted to, I didn't accept because I had found a job that pays over double the salary)
Without going through my long story, I would definitely say volunteer at a variety of clinics and get to know a lot of therapists, and you will undoubtedly get one sooner or later.
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - No Accreditation in Canada?: I am currently a licensed PTA in New Jer...
I am currently a licensed PTA in New Jersey, US. I am moving to Ontario to be with my husband and have a permanent resident application in. I was ready to have to go through a ton of paper work to get a license up here, but I have read that there is no regulation on PTAs in Ontario. Can someone please inform me if I am correct, as well as would I be able to work as a PTA in Ontario with my education from a PTA program back in NJ once I become a permanent resident? No tests? No accreditation for my program? No getting my transcripts reviewed?
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - PTA or Radiology Tech field more in demand?: [QUOTE who="taurus20red in Atlanta, Geor...
[QUOTE who="taurus20red in Atlanta, Georgia"]Please do NOT I REPEAT DO NOT waste your time going to radiology school. The field is already saturated enough and its only getting worse. You will not find a fulltime job after you graduate. The radiology schools and the ARRT knows this but their just out to make money. They don't care about your job security. Ive been a rad tech for 17 yrs and Im back to making what I was being paid SEVEN YRS AGO. I'm going to PTA school because theres way more jobs in that field. I suggest you do the same. Good luck[/QUOTE]
Hello! I am a junior in high school and I'm am on the verge between being a pta, rad tech or a rn. right now i am currently working as a can and ill say it is not my fav job. I was doing some research on pts's and rad techs and i saw your comment. could you tell me more or Email me about it because ptA AND rad tech are my only options right now babyot-99@hotmail.com
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - PTA for Mature students?: Sorry, I missed this forum. I would like...
Sorry, I missed this forum. I would like to chime in for a brief moment. I think if you are physically able to perform the jobs tasks( lifting, kneeling, pull/push, etc) age should not be an issue. Just stay fit and eat healthy to keep up with the demands of the job. I am also very interested in becoming a PTA, who is over 50. I am a marathoner, gym rat and cyclist. I'm sure there are all types of PTA's out there, as well that are suitable for the population.
Thank You!!
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - PTA vs PT... Physical Therapy, a long term career?: [QUOTE who="cndelove13 in Garland, Texas...
[QUOTE who="cndelove13 in Garland, Texas"]Going to PT School was my main goal but considering that my grades aren't up to par I don't think I would even make it even if I tried. I could go do my masters but that would be more loans on top of my undergrad loans and then paying for PT School even if I get in would be MORE loans on top of undergrad & grad loans. Is it worth all the loans? Or should I take a shot at PTA School?
And could you please elaborate on the "bridge" programs? Do not many places accept PTA's? And is it not recommended to become a PT after PTA school?[/QUOTE]
Ha, Im in the same boat. I got my bachelor's in Exercise Science, it came with a free 70k student load debt! I applied to and just got into a PTA program.
Financially it makes sense, because I will be out and working quicker (Most programs market themselves as two years, but some are more like a year and a half). They make a solid pay check, I think starting between 45-50k. I want to use this to both get PT experience and clear my debt. I would work as an assistant for 3-4 years tops or until I feel financially secure. I hear most hospitals in my area that i work for as a pta would pay for PT school because it would be career advancement. It's a solid route to take. Then work part time when you're financially secure to free up time to retake the big science courses (chem,bio,phys,ap) that PT schools pay attention to the GPA of.
Get a job or internship as a PT aide so you can nab volunteer hours or at least get a good taste and feel for what you're getting yourself into. That job did two things, made me realize I have a LOT to learn before I could take on PT school and in the process I also learned a lot of things some people who just got accepted into PT school don't know. Good luck!
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - PTA salaries nationwide: Hello Everyone! I planning on moving ...
Hello Everyone!
I planning on moving to Delaware this spring and was wondering if anyone could give me some information of where to work, where not to work, what the average pay rate is etc. Any information is helpful.
I currently work about an hour above NYC and make $25/hour (per diem rate in a SNF) with 8 years of experience.
Thanks in advance!
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - looking someone in ny for preparing my pta exam: Hi, this is Gurdeep Kataria, I appeared...
Hi, this is Gurdeep Kataria, I appeared in pta exam two times but I didn't pass actually I'm near to pass.i m looking someone study with me .I m living in queens new york.
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Professional Reputation: Hoping this might be interesting for a l...
Hoping this might be interesting for a lot of you - it's the best way to build a professional reputation and claim out a stake for why you're so valuable as a PT!
http://pt.fiveme.io
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Age & Experience limiting new job abilitiies: I got laid off last November 2014, after...
I got laid off last November 2014, after working for 23 years & 3 months at a hospital. I am thankful I do have unemployment benefits, but those only last 26 weeks. I have found age (I am 57) & my length of employment in a hospital setting are limiting my potentials when applying with outpt. clinics ( I would be the first to admit my outpt skills are weak). I have learned that I would not get paid what I was paid at my previous job & would have to pay for my medical & dental. Plus many clinics whether SNF or clinics only seem to want part-time help to avoid paying any form of benefits. I know with health reform & such reimbursement is crappy. I am wondering if this is only occurring in WA? The PTA market is also flooded, as there are now 4 schools that have a the PTA program. When I was in school, I was at the community college that had the only PTA program. I continue to apply at numerous places somewhat close to me. Can anybody give me a heads up how difficult it is to shift from working with inpatients to doing home health care? Thank you.
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Insight from thoses in the PTA program: Anyone here applied to the Broward progr...
Anyone here applied to the Broward program(Edison site)?
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Need Advice: Hello, I'm a 19 year old looking to beco...
Hello, I'm a 19 year old looking to become a PTA or PT. I'm currently in the second semester of my first year in college. I've been planning my academic schedule with the mind set of majoring in Health Science and then applying for PT school. However, I've been thinking that pursuing PTA would be a better option. Mostly due to the fact that there's a 2 year PTA program available in a near by community college and it's overall cheaper than going to grad school. Would this be a logical decision for someone my age? I ask because it seems a lot of the older people who comment on these forums who are PTAs, if placed in my shoes, would not go this route and choose to go for PT.
As for my experience in health care, all I've done is completed a CNA course but I didn't continue this job. During my CNA clinicals I was actually more interested in the PT facility that the nursing home had and this is what sparked my interest. Besides this, I've only worked in the food industry. I plan on shadowing/volunteer a PT during the summer to start some hours because I know they're required for either program.
My biggest concern is that if I go PTA, I would delay my bachelors degree and I have to finish it eventually if I even want to consider going on to PT. Yet, if I decide going to PT school and it backfires or I'm not accepted, I'd feel like I wasted my time and could have just jumped right into PTA. Also, for PTA I'd just need about 3 extra required classes to apply for the program which I can do by next year. I just don't want to end up regretting any decisions. I'd appreciated any insights or advice as to what to do in my position?
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Struggling in PTA school: [QUOTE who="kkb5072 in Reading, Pennsylv...
[QUOTE who="kkb5072 in Reading, Pennsylvania"]I'm a second year pta student in pennsylvania. I've had to spread out the program by another year because it is so demanding. I'm worried about the work load, not being able to graduate, having to take a semester off because of the program set up etc. Has anyone else felt like this or had to spread out their program because of the work load? These classes are so technical and to try and focus on all of them is impossible. I've gone to my teachers several times and there is no tutoring available. You're basically on your own. Just wondering if I'm the only one and if you have any words of encouragement.[/QUOTE]
How did things work out?
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Should I get a degree in the state I want to live in?`: So I want to continue living in Southern...
So I want to continue living in Southern California.. its the best place in the world.. but I want to go back to college and possibly get a PTA degree. (tuition here plus cost of living is obviously outrageous)
I have the ability to EASILY do this...
1 - Move back to Arkansas temporarily.
2 - Get an accredited PTA degree for about 5-6k
(free place to live as well for 2-3 years)
3 - Get the hell out of there and move back to God's country :)
Moving there will be cheap (a matter of packing up the car)
I could save 30k+ on tuition and not to mention cost of living.
BUT someone once told me you want to get a degree in the state you want to live in.. Is this true or will any CAPTE certified school be ok (the Arkansas school is supposed to be pretty good.. some students got 100% on the test)
Will I have a harder time finding a job in SoCal if I have a degree from Arkansas?
Thanks!!
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - First Day at Your First PTA Job: From my fellow therapist friends I have ...
From my fellow therapist friends I have heard pro & con about home health. It appears there is a much higher demand for PT's for HHC in WA than PTA's & for a PTA it is usually PD or OC. I need a full time permanent position. Ideally I would like a SNF with an assisted living. I would definitely be an ideal PTA for this kind of facility. As for outpt this really is not interesting & really boring-I did do some outpt in my 23 years of employment. As for brushing up on exercises, no problems, I did a lot of that with my variety of inpt folks. Personally, rehab managers are wanting younger folks who get less pay. Unfortunately, my experience & age (just turned 57) work against me. I already now I would not get paid what I did at my former job. I am in good health, too. As for schooling for future PT, nope, not when they require one to be a DPT not mention the monies involved. Thanks for your input.
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Physical Therapy Assistant Forum - Salary For Experienced Physical Therapist Assistant.: Hi I'm a PTA w/ 14 years experience. I'm...
Hi I'm a PTA w/ 14 years experience. I'm just trying to find out what I should expect to make in Philadelphia as a PTA in a SNF setting vs Homecare. Thanks in advance for any info :)
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