Tag Archives: Physical Therapist Assistant Education Requirements Daly City CA 94014

Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Daly City CA

How to Select a Physical Therapy Program near Daly City 94014

Daly City CA physical therapy school student with volunteerEarning a physical therapy degree near Daly City CA is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career in the health care field. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been disabled due to injury or illness regain mobility and function. But before they may legally practice and work with the rehabilitation of patients, they must acquire the proper training and education. A PT must additionally be licensed in all states, a large number mandating that the licensee receive a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So prior to enrolling in a physical therapy school, it’s necessary to evaluate the ones you are considering to make sure they will supply a quality education and meet your state’s licensing requirements. What you do not want to do is select a school just because it happens to be the nearest to your home or it has the most affordable tuition. There are other significant qualifications that need to be considered along with location and cost. But before we cover what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll address what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What is a Physical Therapist’s Job Description?

Daly City CA physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in varying locations, including Daly City CA private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and health clubs. What the facilities all have in common is that they are equipped for the diagnosis and rehabilitation treatment of patients. As earlier stated, physical therapists help patients that are struggling with a lack of mobility and frequently pain caused by illness or injury. After patient diagnosis, they design a course of treatment to address the mobility issues and lessen or eradicate any pain. They also endeavor to stop any progression of the disability. Although the causes of disability necessitating physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Car or motor cycle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close partnerships with other Daly City CA health specialists, including doctors, chiropractors, registered nurses and dentists. They can also supervise one or more physical therapy assistants who work for them assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. One thing to keep in mind for anyone thinking about getting into the physical therapy profession, it is quite physically demanding. Physical therapists often lift patients and heavy equipment, and stand, crouch and kneel for prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapy Degree Options

Daly City CA physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapy degree options available for individuals to pursue at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these choices, the single degree that is available to practice as a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees target either preparing students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to progress to the doctoral level. Following are short summaries of degree levels that are offered in the Daly City CA area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to become physical therapy assistants, or can be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be accepted for enrollment. The degrees are typically provided by community colleges, and require 2 years for completion. An internship or other form of clinical training is usually a component of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapy training to prepare students to advance to the doctoral level. Although they are not required to be a candidate for the doctoral program, they are an important initial step to becoming a PT. Similar to the majority of bachelor’s degrees, they typically take 4 years to complete and usually include an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are a requirement if you want to become a practicing licensed physical therapist. The degree program also must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). After earning the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes three years to complete, making the total investment of time 7 years in most cases. Clinical or practical training is an intregal element in addition to the extensive lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the fulfillment of an internship is mandated, not solely for graduation but in several states for licensing also.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has replaced the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been eliminated and is no longer available in the United States. A number of practicing physical therapists holding a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the present licensing requirement for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapist Programs Online

woman attending physical therapy school online in Daly City CAAlthough not as prevalent as the on-campus options, there are many accredited online physical therapist degrees available, more so at the graduate level. Because of the hands-on structure of the training, clinical lab work and internships are incorporated with the online classes. This requires that the student live close to the school campus or in proximity of an available internship. However, the online part of the curriculum can be accessed within the comfort and convenience of the student’s Daly City CA residence. Online programs are not only partially more accessible, but in a number of cases more affordable. Tuition may be somewhat less than comparable on campus alternatives, and costs for commuting are reduced. And many of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, assuring a quality education. These advantages can make the online alternative the ideal choice for those students that are motivated enough to learn at home.

Questions to Ask Physical Therapist Schools

By now you undoubtedly have come to decision regarding several of your preliminary questions, like the type of physical therapy degree you want to earn, where you want to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to invest in your education. But since there are numerous PT colleges within the Daly City CA area and across California, you’ll have to research additional qualifications as well so as to further reduce your list of school choices. Furthermore, you want to make certain that you enroll in the school that is right for you. That’s why we have compiled a list of important questions that you must ask the physical therapy colleges you are thinking about. Ask all of the potential colleges these questions before making an ultimate selection.

Is the Physical Therapy Program Accredited?  Ask if the schools you are considering have received accreditation from a national or a regional organization. As earlier stated, if you are pursuing a doctoral degree the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you enroll in an online school, it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s essential that both the physical therapist program and school you enroll in are accredited, not just the school. Additionally, verify that the accreditation is from a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to ensuring that you receive a quality education, accreditation may be mandated for state licensing and even for getting student loans or financial aid.

What is the Program’s Ranking? Along with accreditation, it’s imperative that the school and program you select have outstanding reputations within the physical therapist community. There are a number of ways you can research a PT school’s reputation, starting with asking for references from employers that they refer their students to. You can also check online reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. Contact some Daly City CA physical therapist centers or other medical care facilities that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any advice about your program options. It might also be a good idea to contact the California Attorney General and school licensing authority to see if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the College’s Job Placement Rate? There are a couple of significant statistics that you need to find out about all of the physical therapist colleges you are looking at. One is their graduation rate. A low rate may suggest that students left because of dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. Once the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being hired with the help of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Daly City CA area? If a program has a high job placement rate, it suggests that its reputation within the medical care community is good or perhaps excellent. It also affirms that the college has a broad network of contacts to help students gain internships or jobs after graduation.

Does the School Support Licensing Requirements? It’s important that the program you enroll in provides both excellent training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing criteria for California or the state where you will be working. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) along with a degree from an accredited physical therapist college. While licensing requirements vary state by state for PTA and PT graduates, a number of states require a minimum amount of clinical hours be completed as well as passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the physical therapist schools you are assessing have relationships with Daly City CA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a requirement for the majority of PT programs and state licensing. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Daly City medical community and help with obtaining employment once licensed.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the physical therapist schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the physical therapist school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Daly City CA residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of DPT schools supply some form of financial assistance to their potential students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department and find out what kind of assistance is offered. They at least should help in obtaining a student loan or any grants you may be eligible for. Some physical therapist schools provide scholarships, while others offer work programs. So before you eliminate a college because the tuition is beyond your budget, find out what financial assistance may be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the physical therapist college you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Daly City CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Daly City California?

If you are planning on attending a Physical Therapy School in the Daly City CA area, the following information may prove to be both interesting and educational regarding the location of your future Alma Mater.

Daly City, California

Daly City (/ˈdeɪli/) is the largest city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with an estimated 2014 population of 106,094.[12] Located immediately south of San Francisco, it is named in honor of businessman and landowner John Donald Daly.

Archaeological evidence suggests the San Francisco Bay Area has been inhabited as early as 2700 BC.[13] People of the Ohlone language group occupied Northern California from at least the 6th century.[14][verification needed] Though their territory had been claimed by Spain since the early 16th century, they would have relatively little contact with Europeans until 1769, when, as part of an effort to colonize Alta California, an exploration party led by Don Gaspar de Portolá learned of the existence of San Francisco Bay.[15] Seven years later, in 1776, an expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza selected the site for the Presidio of San Francisco, which José Joaquín Moraga would soon establish. Later the same year, the Franciscan missionary Francisco Palóu founded the Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores).[16] As part of the founding, the priests claimed the land south of the mission for sixteen miles for raising crops and for fodder for cattle and sheep.[17] In 1778, the priests and soldiers marked out a trail to connect San Francisco to the rest of California.[17] At the top of Mission Hill, the priests named the gap between San Bruno Mountain and the hills on the coast La Portezuela ("The Little Door").[17] La Portezuela was later referred to as Daly's Hill, the Center of Daly City, and is now called Top of the Hill.[17]

During Spanish rule, the area between San Bruno Mountain and the Pacific remained uninhabited.[18] Upon independence from Spain, prominent Mexican citizens were granted land parcels to establish large ranches, three of which covered areas now in Daly City and Colma.[18]Rancho Buri Buri was granted to Jose Sanchez in 1835 and covered 14,639 acres (59.24 km2) including parts of modern-day Colma, Burlingame, San Bruno, South San Francisco, and Millbrae.[18][19]Rancho Laguna de la Merced was 2,219 acres (8.98 km2) acres and covered the area around a lake of the same name.[18][19] The third ranch covering parts of the Daly City–Colma area was named Rancho Cañada de Guadalupe la Visitación y Rodeo Viejo and stretched from the Visitacion Valley area in San Francisco, to the city of South San Francisco covering 5,473 acres (22.15 km2).[18][19]

Choose the Right Physical Therapist School near Daly City CA

Deciding on the best physical therapist college is an important initial decision you need to make to launch a fulfilling career in the medical field. As we have covered in this article, the DPT or PT degree program and college you pick should both have excellent reputations and be accredited. However there are additional critical questions that you should ask concerning your college of choice also. As you start your search for a physical therapy school, bear in mind that many factors will guide you to your final decision. You may decide to go to different schools to view their facilities and talk to current DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this school help me achieve my goal of becoming a licensed practicing physical therapist? By adhering to our list of additional questions, you will have the ability to narrow down the field so you can make the ideal selection. And with the proper education and training, you can accomplish your dream of becoming a licensed physical therapist in Daly City CA.

A Few More Interesting Locations in California

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Homeland CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Brooks CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Blue Jay CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Moorpark CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Aptos CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Pacific Palisades CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Loma Linda CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Weott CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Paskenta CA
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Cerritos CA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 1400

    Peninsula Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center
    45 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Swimming Pools, Gyms
    Phone:
    2945 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City, CA 94014

    GSPORTS Physical Therapy
    133 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    332 Pine St, Ste 202, San Francisco, CA 94104

    Gale McIntosh, PT DC
    10 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    300 Main St, Ste 5, Holistic Physical Therapy Clinic, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

    SOMA Sport and Physio
    94 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    290 Division St, Ste 103, San Francisco, CA 94103

    Kinetx Rehab
    25 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    719 Camino Plz, San Bruno, CA 94066

    Aero Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
    20 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1860 El Camino Real, Ste 420, Burlingame, CA 94010

    West Bay Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center
    32 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    800 S Claremont St, Ste 106, San Mateo, CA 94402

    Renew Physical Therapy
    60 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    247 Shoreline Hwy, Ste A9, Mill Valley, CA 94941

    Henry Wong Physical Therapy and Wellness
    13 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    801 Portola Dr, Ste 202, San Francisco, CA 94127

    FORM Physical Therapy
    18 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    2358 Pine St, San Francisco, CA 94115