Maybe you want to work as a physical therapy assistant.
If you live in Connecticut, you will first need to attend training and get a license.
Have a look below at the article we have brought you in order to learn more.
Article Table of Contents
Becoming a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
The first step you need to take is to join a training program.
The program you join needs to be approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
The easiest way to meet the requirements is to pursue an associate’s degree.
The programs you can attend in this state are mostly located in Norwalk and Waterbury.
An associate’s degree program has a duration of 24 months.
Some of the topics you will be learning about are:
- Pediatrics and Gerontology
- Kinesiology
- Electronic Health Records
- Anatomy and physiology
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Behavioral sciences
- Professional ethics
- Medical Terminology
- Therapeutic Documentation for the PTA
- Exercise physiology
- Applied neuroscience
- Clinical pathology
- Biomechanics
During your training, you will attend theory classes but also practice.
After you finish your program, you will receive your Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assistant.
This will allow you to start your application process.
In order to get licensed, you have to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs, provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
The documents you will have to submit are:
- Your schooling experience
- Work history information
- Schedule the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs
- Passport sized picture
- $190 application fee
- Copy of your school transcripts
You should send your application and paperwork to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the PT Licensure department, in Hartford.
First of all, you have to get your authorizations to test from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
You need to get a score of at least 600 to pass this test.
To take the exam, you have to schedule it at any of the Prometric centers in your region.
You will also have to pay a fee of $400 for the exam.
You will also need to submit a $60 fee to Prometric.
The exam is open-book, and the subjects are:
- Therapeutic modalities
- Equipment and devices
- Safety and protection
- Interventions
- Professional responsibilities
- PT data collection
Before the exam, you can use the NPTE Candidate Handbook to prepare.
You can also prepare with the online practicing test and assessment tool.
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Information
After you receive your certification, you can work in one of the many health centers in Connecticut.
You can also be employed by clinics or hospitals.
In this state, the biggest employers include:
- Physical Therapy and Massage of CT in Bristol
- Physical Therapy of Southern Connecticut in Derby
- Ludlow Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Fairfield
- ProEx Physical Therapy in Farmington
- Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists in Granby
- Connecticut Physical Therapy in Hartford
- Hartford Hospital in Hartford
- New Britain Physical Therapy in New Britain
- Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Stratford
- Peak Physical Therapy in Waterbury
According to the Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut will have the biggest growth in PTA jobs between 2012 and 2022.
Jobs are expected to increase by 37.4% per year.
An experience PTA in this state can make up to of $75,250 in a year.
The median salaries for PTAs in Connecticut total about $56,400 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Bridgeport | $63,460 |
New Haven | $60,538 |
Stamford | $64,284 |
Hartford | $60,041 |
Waterbury | $60,220 |
Norwalk | $64,284 |
Danbury | $62,016 |
New Britain | $60,332 |
West Hartford | $60,041 |
Greenwich | $64,284 |
Regional Salary in Connecticut
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 230 | $66,950 | $32.19 | $85,040 | $34,870 |
Danbury, CT | 50 | $61,640 | $29.64 | $84,080 | $31,280 |
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 350 | $67,910 | $32.65 | $86,380 | $32,870 |
New Haven, CT | 160 | $61,670 | $29.65 | $81,930 | $31,730 |
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 60 | $63,500 | $30.53 | $80,900 | $36,660 |
Waterbury, CT | 50 | $65,090 | $31.29 | $82,500 | $30,800 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Physical Therapy Assistants in Connecticut
In this state, you will have to renew your PTA license once a year.
To renew it, you have to fill out the Connecticut Department of Public Health application.
You will also have to submit a $60 fee for renewal.
In this state, unlike in others, you don’t have to take any additional classes to get your license renewed.
Keep in mind that the first step you should take is to train in a program.
After you get your degree and license, you can start applying to the jobs of your dreams.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant