Healthcare Occupations - Physical Therapist Assistants

Occupations: Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical Therapist Assistants

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Overview of the profession:

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) play a crucial role in the rehabilitation process, working under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist. Their primary role is implementing a patient care plan designed by the Physical Therapist, including exercises, stretches, and other therapies that support patient recovery, improve mobility, reduce pain, and manage physical conditions. Licensed PTAs complete a 2-year associate degree in Physical Therapy Assistant from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and pass two exams: the National Physical Therapy Examination and the Michigan Physical Therapy Assistant Jurisprudence Examination. PTAs work in a variety of workplace settings; they are most commonly employed in outpatient physical therapy clinics or hospitals but also work in long-term care facilities and for major and minor-league sports teams. Due to their instrumental role in tracking patient progress, PTAs are vital to ensuring the best patient recovery outcomes.

Overview

Policy

Senate Bill 449 (SB449)

SB 449 would add Section 108a to the Social Welfare Act and define terms as used in Section 108b proposed in Senate Bill 449. Tie-Bar bill with SB 450
Introduced by Senator Irwin on June 28th, 2023. Referred to the committee on Health Policy. Passed into law on July 30th, 2024

Policy Highlights

Includes recent proposed legislation

Data

Current PTA Workforce Data

We've provided the latest data from Lightcast below. Click on the images to enlarge them and review them in further detail.

2024 Hourly Wages

10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
$20.31	$24.86	$29.19	$31.05	$35.57

Highlighted Workforce Initiatives

Name: Bridge to Healthcare Degree Program
Prosperity Region: 10
Description:

The Bridge to Healthcare Degree program is a partnership between DESC Michigan Works! and Henry Ford College. The program's goal is to increase the number of Detroit residents who are trained and can earn a degree in healthcare. Participants in the 30-week (two-semester) program take classes both virtually and in-person at Henry Ford College's Dearborn campus to earn college credits toward an associate degree for PT assistant, radiographer, RN, respiratory therapist, and surgical tech. Additionally, participants receive resources and assistance to help them toward earning their healthcare degrees.

Name: Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities
Prosperity Region: 6

Description: The Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program is offered through GST Michigan Works! and the Greater Flint Health Coalition. The FHEO Program is designed to increase the number of workers in 10 high-demand healthcare jobs in Genesee County. Examples of high-demand healthcare roles include CNA, phlebotomist and respiratory therapist. Program participants receive free tuition to become trained, career advising, support services, job development assistance and work/life skills training. The FHEO Program has been around since 2002 and is funded by GST Michigan Works! and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Name: Physical Therapy Aide Online Training Program
Prosperity Region: 9
Description: Siena Heights University recently launched online certificate and credentialing courses to help address critical healthcare skilled labor shortages throughout Michigan, Ohio, and the greater Midwest region. Relevant programs include dental assistant, EKG tech, hemodialysis tech, home health aide, medical assistant, mental health technician, PCT, pharmacy tech, phlebotomy tech, physical therapy aide, sterile processing tech, and surgical tech. The purpose of offering these online certificate and credentialing courses is to provide students with the skills and capabilities needed to fill in-demand jobs across the healthcare industry.

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Initiatives

Physical Therapist Assistant Career Pathway

Career Pathway

What is needed to become a licensed physical therapist (PT) in Michigan?

Physical Therapists in Michigan must hold a doctorate degree in physical therapy to be eligible for licensure. Individuals can either earn a bachelor’s degree -- in any area of study-- and then apply to a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. Alternatively, they may choose to complete an accelerated program, earning their bachelor's

degree in three years, and then apply to the accredited physical therapy doctoral program. Upon graduation, PTs must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam to be eligible for licensure.

Is a career as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) a stepping stone to a career as a PT?

No, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, PTAs have a different educational curriculum than PTs and do not meet the prerequisite requirements needed for a doctoral-level physical therapy program.

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