How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Rhode Island

There are many benefits to becoming a physical therapy assistant in Rhode Island.

In order to learn more about this job and what it entails, read on for more info.

Earning the Physical Therapist Assistant License in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, you have to attend a training program and get a license.

You can either get a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree.

The program you join should be approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and by The Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy.

The Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy is also the licensing entity in this state.

While you train, you will have to go to theory classes but also attend clinical practice.

The clinical practice is generally completed in a clinic or another health center.

Most clinics request candidates to take a background check first.

Students are also overseen by a certified physical therapy assistant.

You may have to take a CPR course before you attend clinical practice.

There are many clinics you can train at, such as:

• Brookdale Senior Living Inc. -Lincoln
• Concord Health Services Inc.- Cranston
• MTX Therapy Services- Middletown
• Hasbro Children’s Hospital- Providence

The theory hours feature subjects like:

• Human Anatomy
• Physical Disabilities
• Introduction to Physical Therapy
• Human Physiology
• Physical Therapy Procedures I and II
• Neurology and Pathology
• Kinesiology
• Therapeutic Exercise I and II
• Medical Office Management
• Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy

The number of clinical practice hours varies, but usually totals 40 hours a week.

First of all, you have to become a member of the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)

You will also need to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs, provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)

The exam requires a fee of $400 paid to the Board, and the below documents:

• $50 application fee
• Activities statement form
• Verification of licensure form (if necessary)
• Certificate of professional education form
• Authorization for release of medical records
• Official transcripts
• Original 3×5 photograph

The papers need to be mailed to the Rhode Island Department of Health in Providence.

In this state, you can apply for licensing even if you are in the last semester of your program.

All the paperwork should be sent at least a month before the exam is scheduled to take place.

The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs features the below subjects:

• Physical Therapy Data Collection
• Interventions
• Diseases and Conditions
• Equipment and Devices
• Therapeutic Modalities
• Safety and Protection
• Metabolic & Endocrine Systems
• Gastrointestinal System
• Genitourinary System
• Musculoskeletal System
• Neuromuscular & Nervous Systems

The exam has 200 questions, and you need to score 80% to pass.

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy also offers a practice test you can take 2 months before the actual exam.

To access it, you need to pay a $99 fee.

You also have to pay a $70 fee to Prometric.

In this state, you do not need to take a jurisprudence exam.

Employment and Salary Information for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rhode Island

If you obtain a physical therapy license, you will be able to work in a healthcare facility.

This can be a clinic or hospital, but you can also start your own PTA business.

Some of the facilities hiring PTAs in Rhode Island include:

• Rhode Island Hospital, Providence
• The Miriam Hospital, Providence
• Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence
• Bradley Hospital, Riverside
• Newport Hospital, Newport
• Kent Hospital, Warwick
• Silk Physical Therapy Center, Providence
• Encore Rehabilitation Services, Pawtucket
• CBS Therapy, Cranston
• Genesis Rehabilitation Services, Middletown
• Rehabcare Group, Pawtucket

In Rhode Island, the average salary for a physical therapy assistant is $58,879 per year.

You will be able to earn even more once you get some years of experience.

Regional Salary in Rhode Island

Additional Information for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rhode Island

In this state, you will need to keep your physical therapy assistant license current.

To do this, you have to renew it once a year.

You will receive a notification every March before you have to renew it.

You will also have to attend 24 additional hours of education to renew your license.

The course you attend has to be accredited by the Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapist Assistant Schools by State