It is time for change

There are currently thirteen OTA to OT bridge programs and fifteen weekend OT programs. There are only two PTA to PT Bridge programs one of which is a weekend program. It is time for change, not only for career advancement, but for our profession, in its entirety. We as Physical “Therapist” Assistant’s are all too often looked down upon and not respected as the professional’s that we are. Because of our title, other healthcare workers confuse us with “Aides”. Whenever I mention the thought of making changes to not only our title but to the career advancement road blocks, I am met with hostility and anger by fellow therapists. We need more transition options and our title of “Assistant” should be dropped. Why is there no difference in a PT with an A.S. or B.S. from ten or fifty years ago and a PT with a Doctorate who just graduated?
More to follow.......
Thoughts?

Ahem BROTHER! If there were some bridging programs that allowed my work experience and classes taken to be accepted as credits then i would most definitely make the transition to PT

Has anyone here completed the PTA program at LaGuardia Community College in NYC? What was your experience like? Were you able to get a job? What was or is your salary? How much should I expect after graduation?

PTAKeith in Honolulu, Hawaii said: There are currently thirteen OTA to OT bridge programs and fifteen weekend OT programs. There are only two PTA to PT Bridge programs one of which is a weekend program. It is time for change, not only for career advancement, but for our profession, in its entirety. We as Physical “Therapist” Assistant’s are all too often looked down upon and not respected as the professional’s that we are. Because of our title, other healthcare workers confuse us with “Aides”. Whenever I mention the thought of making changes to not only our title but to the career advancement road blocks, I am met with hostility and anger by fellow therapists. We need more transition options and our title of “Assistant” should be dropped. Why is there no difference in a PT with an A.S. or B.S. from ten or fifty years ago and a PT with a Doctorate who just graduated?
More to follow.......
Thoughts?

I agree...I know of many COTA's who have bridged to OT or are in the process. But it is rare for PTA's to bridge to PT because of the complicated process. Most of the PTA's I know who returned to school for advanced education actually pursued other disciplines!

Carolyn04 in Houston, Texas said: I agree...I know of many COTA's who have bridged to OT or are in the process. But it is rare for PTA's to bridge to PT because of the complicated process. Most of the PTA's I know who returned to school for advanced education actually pursued other disciplines!

Good point

I totally agree with you. I, too, am sick and tired of being looked down on for being a mere PTA by PTs. There should be more bridge programs, even an online option, to further our degrees. I am actually thinking about going back to school and pursuing another career. I'm totally disgusted by the lack of appreciation that PTAs are shown in the workplace.

Im so glad that there is other people with my same issues! Ive been a PTA for 16 years and at the hospital I work if anyone needs anything or has questions for or about PT(or other rehab questions) they send them to me. I feel my knowledge base has increased significantly since I began, and should not have to "start over". I am thinking seriously about bridging to the OT program myself or ever nursing! The APTA I believe does not want us to bridge and they are certainly not advocates for the PTA. They want us around to do the "heavy lifting" and get paid less.

I am also wondering why we don't have a bridge program based on our experience. I really resent the APTA they want the pta's to join take our membership fee but they don't do anything for us.
Maybe it is time we break away from them, It is obvious they don't want to treat our profession as a stepping stone to PT and that makes me very angry.
The so called bridge programs that exist out there are not true bridges they don't give you any credit for all your work experience and still want you to take all the waste of time courses like physics,etc.
If you look at the bridge program from LPN to RN they do help the student make an easy transition and don't require the so called"weed out course"
I work in an acute care environement and I can not recall the last time any of our staff members had to pull out there physics book
or chemistry manual to assist a patient.
I hate the APTA and how they treat PTA's I wish some one with some power would intervene

Thanks for the post, i am totally unaware about this job and course but now get good knowledge from this forum.

Okay, I agree also, but what do we do about it?