Natalie Said:

the first school to offer programs for physical therapy assistant?

We Answered:

I don't know if it was the first school to to do it, but Kent State University's East Liverpool campus has very good programs for Physical Therapy Assisting and Occupational Therapy Assisting. You will earn an Associate of Science degree for either one.

Jeremy Said:

Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant - return to school for stay at home mom?

We Answered:

Although I am a PT, not a PTA, I can give you a lot of input into the PTA/COTA degrees. They are both two year programs. Both are in an equal amount of demand and both pay about the same.

These degrees appeal to a lot of school moms and second career folks. It is a somewhat decent living for a relatively short amount of time in school.

Part-time hours are available, but if you work in an outpatient clinic, you will probably need to work at least two evenings. If you work in a hospital or nursing home setting, you will most likely work day-time hours and occasional weekends.

Most PTAs I know are very satisfied, although many wish they had completed the PT degree. Yet, I think it allows one to live a balanced life...especially if your children are your focus.

The PT technician, as mentioned above, acutally doesn't require any formal training, but it is a cross between a clerical and a "helper" job...most PT/OT tech positions pay about $9-10 an hour....as a PTA you will be more in the range between $17-21 and hour.

The only hitch you may run into is that many PTA and COTA programs are run in full-time format. In otherwords, you need to be able to attend class about 30 hours a week. Yet, this will vary by school...and some do have part-time format as well.

I would suggest you go to the APTA website at: http://www.apta.org to learn more about a career as a PTA.