Physical Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant Evening Programs (Austin: insurance, schools)

[texasboi]

Does anyone know of any evening or weekend programs for Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant programs in Austin?

[tfresca]

I dont' have info about programs to use but I"d avoid anything put out by a for profit college. So many people get crazy into debt at those schools and what they get when the y finish isn't adequate. Frontline on PBS a story about this.

[cm4]

don't know if they will have nights or weekend program, but check out Univ of St. Augustine. They are building a new PT, OT, etc. school in Circle C.

Austin Campus | University of St. Augustine

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by cm4

don't know if they will have nights or weekend program, but check out Univ of St. Augustine. They are building a new PT, OT, etc. school in Circle C.

Austin Campus | University of St. Augustine

This is, as I understand it, a graduate school for PTs and OTs, offering masters and PhDs. I don't think it will offer assistant programs. Have you checked out ACC? I believe they have PT and OT assistant programs. I don't know if they are in the evening, however.

[supernaut112]

OP, I used to work in this field.

There is not much of a demand for ST, PT and OT assistants simply due to the individualized nature of this type of therapy. For example, you cannot conduct testing or deliver treatment to the patient. Nothing these assistants do can be billed to insurance.

Also, the jobs available aren't going to pay much more than your average admin. assistant type position.

If you really love this field, your best bet is to get your masters, so you can be a practicing therapist.

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by supernaut112

OP, I used to work in this field.

There is not much of a demand for ST, PT and OT assistants simply due to the individualized nature of this type of therapy. For example, you cannot conduct testing or deliver treatment to the patient. Nothing these assistants do can be billed to insurance.

I can't tell you about the demand or pay levels, but some of these statements are not correct. A licensed assistant cannot do evaluation or set up a treatment plan, but can absolutely treat the patients, under the supervision of a registered therapist. Treatments delivered in this way are billable to insurance. I would recommend that you go to some therapy departments and talk with the supervisors about their hiring and use of assistants. Get your information directly from the people who do the hiring and know how their department works. They may also have suggestions about school. Therapy departments are very used to having students and people inquiring about the professions, so this should not be a problem. I would start with a hospital out-patient therapy department, but would also talk to a larger private therapy practice. For general information, go to apta.org or aota.org, the professional organizations. Both will have information about PT and OT assistants.

One other thing: it is unclear to me whether the OP is talking about being an Aide or being a licensed assistant. They are different. The assistant requires much more training (I think it is a 2 year program), and can do a lot more in the practice. An aide has much less training, is much more limited as to duties, and is paid less.

[supernaut112]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

I can't tell you about the demand or pay levels, but some of these statements are not correct. A licensed assistant cannot do evaluation or set up a treatment plan, but can absolutely treat the patients, under the supervision of a registered therapist.

Precisely the problem — the "supervision" component. Many clinics are not set up for this and prefer to supervise OT/PT/ST clinicians with masters' degrees pending licensing, if they choose to supervise at all.

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by supernaut112

Precisely the problem — the "supervision" component. Many clinics are not set up for this and prefer to supervise OT/PT/ST clinicians with masters' degrees pending licensing, if they choose to supervise at all.

It is true that not all clinics delivering therapy will hire Assistants. Some prefer to have only licensed therapists doing the treatment, with aides keeping the department clean, preparing modalities, etc., but not doing any treatment. I am a retired PT, and administered a PT/OT practice for many years. But I was in another state, and am not currently employed. I can't give the OP enough up to date and relevant information. That is why I'm saying that there is no substitute for getting information directly from therapy practices and hospital departments. They will be more likely to understand the demand for assistants, where they are hired, what schools have good reputations, what pay levels will be, etc. People writing here are unlikely to be in a position to give specific and useful information about this person's possible career track, even if they have a background in the field.

[texasboi]

Great information from everyone...Thank you very much...
I did check out ACC but its only a daytime program..since I work days I may have to just go the RN route which is my second choice..not necessarily my passion but it does put me in the healthcare field and I can always switch at that time if I want.