How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in West Virginia

There are many reasons why you should consider a physical therapy assistant career in West Virginia.

if you want to know more, have a look at the article below for info and advice.

Earning the Physical Therapist Assistant License in West Virginia

In this jurisdiction, potential physical therapy assistants are expected to get a certification.

The entry providing the physical therapy assistant license is the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy (WVBPOT).

The way to get licensed is by first getting a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree.

The program has to the Commission for Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and accredited by the West Virginia PTA board.

You will need to attend a certain amount of hours of theory but also clinical practice.

The clinical practice hours are usually completed in a medical facility.

This can be a clinic or a health center, which will generally ask for a background check.

Some clinics also require the completion of a CPR course.

The clinical practice hours will be supervised by a licensed physical therapy assistant.

Theory hours include subjects like:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Orientation to Health Care
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Therapeutic Procedures
• Musculoskeletal Structure and Function
• Medical Reporting
• Kinesiology for the PTA
• Pathological Conditions
• Therapeutic Exercises
• Rehabilitation Procedures

In West Virginia, you will have to finish between 14 and 16 weeks of practice.

Next, you have to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapy assistants through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Then, you will have to submit an application form that you can find on the website of the Board.

The test also requires a fee of $400 that you have to send to the Federation.

To sign up, you’ll have to complete these steps:

• Submit Physical Therapist Assistant Online Application
• Have school send official school transcripts
• Submit Letter of Completion (directly from your school)
• Send a recent 2×2 photograph
• Send $185 application fee

If you want to work before getting a permanent license, you can apply for a temporary one.

You can obtain this license until you take the exam and after you submit your documents.

It will cost you $20 to get a temporary license.

All documents have to be sent to the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy in Charleston.

After you get an Authorization to Test (ATT) from the FSBTP, you can decide when to take the exam.

You will have to locate a Prometric center in your region and pay a fee of $70.

The topics in the exam include:

• Physical Therapy Data Collection
• Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment
• Interventions
• Equipment & Devices & Therapeutic Modalities
• Safety and Protection; Professional Responsibilities
• Cardiovascular/Pulmonary & Lymphatic Systems
• Integumentary System
• Metabolic & Endocrine Systems
• Gastrointestinal System
• Genitourinary System
• Musculoskeletal System
• Neuromuscular & Nervous Systems

The exam consists of 200 questions that require a 600 passing score.

Employment and Salary Information for Physical Therapist Assistants in West Virginia

In this state, the median salary for a physical therapy assistant is $49,494 a year.

However, the most successful physical therapy assistants earn about $59,307 per year or even more.

Some of the facilities hiring physical therapy assistants in West Virginia are:

• Premiere Physical Therapy – Martinsburg
• Genesis Rehabilitation Services – Charleston
• Amedisys – Fayetteville
• Wetzel County Homecare – New Martinsville
• Trinity Rehab Services – Ona, WV
• Aureus Medical Group – Charleston

Regional Salary in West Virginia

Additional Information for Physical Therapist Assistants in West Virginia

In West Virginia, physical therapy assistant s have to get their licenses renewed every 2 years.

You can only do that if you complete 24 hours of additional education.

The facility you choose to complete your education has to be accredited by the Board.

Form these 24 hours, 8 hours can cover clinical practice.

Some other ways of finishing your education include:

• Taking an exam offered through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
• Get a certification from the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC)
• Take a course approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Physical Therapist Assistant Schools by State