Tag Archives: Physical Therapist Assistant Education Requirements Channahon IL 60410

Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Channahon IL

How to Pick a Physical Therapist College near Channahon 60410

Channahon IL physical therapy school student with volunteerReceiving a physical therapy degree near Channahon IL is an essential first step to starting a rewarding career in the health care field. Physical therapists (PT) help individuals who have been incapacitated due to injury or illness gain back mobility and function. But before they can practice and provide treatment for the rehabilitation of patients, they must get the appropriate education and training. A PT must also be licensed in every state, a large number requiring that the licensee earn a physical therapy degree from an accredited school. So before enrolling in a physical therapy school, it’s important to research the ones you are looking at to ensure they will deliver a superior education and meet your state’s licensing criteria. What you do not want to do is enroll in a school just because it happens to be the closest to your home or it has the lowest tuition. There are other relevant qualifications that must be evaluated in addition to cost and location. But before we discuss what those qualifications are and the questions you should be asking, we’ll cover what a physical therapist does and what the educational options are.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Channahon IL physical therapist helping patient walkPhysical therapists practice in diverse settings, such as Channahon IL hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and sports facilities. What the facilities all share in common is that they have the equipment for diagnosing and rehabilitating patients. As earlier touched on, physical therapists help individuals that are suffering from a lack of mobility and often pain caused by injury or illness. After diagnosing a patient, they develop a course of treatment to address the mobility issues and lessen or eliminate any pain. They also endeavor to stop any advancement of the disability. Although the causes of disability requiring physical therapy are numerous, they include:

  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Head injuries.
  • Cardiac arrest.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Knee Replacement.
  • Sciatica.
  • Multiple Sclerosis.

Licensed physical therapists practice in close partnerships with other Channahon IL health specialists, including chiropractors, physicians, dentists and nurses. They can also manage several physical therapy assistants who work for them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Something to take note of for anyone thinking about going into the physical therapy profession, it is rather physically demanding. Physical therapists regularly lift heavy equipment as well as patients, and kneel, crouch and stand for long periods of time on a daily basis.

Physical Therapist Degrees Offered

Channahon IL physical therapist applying acupuncture to patientThere are 3 physical therapy degrees available for students to pursue at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Of these options, the only degree that is offered to become a physical therapist is the doctorate. Undergraduate degrees concentrate on either training students to become a physical therapy assistant (PTA) or readying them to advance to the doctoral level. Following are brief explanations of degree levels that are available in the Channahon IL area:

  • Associate Degrees train students to practice as physical therapy assistants, or may be the first step toward earning a more advanced degree. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for enrollment. The programs are usually provided by community colleges, and take about 2 years to complete. An internship or other form of clinical training is usually a portion of the program.
  • Bachelor’s Degrees are developed as pre-physical therapy education to ready students to advance to the doctoral level. While they are not required to be qualified for the doctoral program, they are an essential preliminary step to practicing as a PT. Similar to most bachelor’s degrees, they normally require 4 years to finish and usually incorporate an internship program of at least 500 hours.
  • Doctorate Degrees are required 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). In addition to the bachelor’s degree, the doctoral takes three years to complete, making the total investment of time seven years in most cases. Clinical or practical training is an important component in addition to the substantial lab and classroom instruction. Therefor the fulfillment of an internship is required, not solely for graduation but in some states for licensing as well.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has taken the place of the Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), which has been phased out and is no longer available in the USA. A number of licensed physical therapists having a master’s or even a bachelor’s degree were “grandfathered” in before the current licensing requirement for a doctorate was instituted.

Physical Therapist Online Schools

woman attending physical therapy school online in Channahon ILAlthough not as common as the on campus options, there are many accredited online physical therapy degrees available, even more at the graduate level. Due to the hands-on nature of the training, clinical lab work and internships are combined with the online classes. This requires that the student live close to the college campus or nearby a sponsored internship. However, the online segment of the curriculum can be accessed within the convenience and comfort of the student’s Channahon IL residence. Online programs are not only partially more accessible, but in a number of instances more affordable. Tuition can be significantly lower than comparable on-campus alternatives, and expenditures for commuting are reduced. And a number of the online programs are accredited by the CAPTE, ensuring a quality education. These benefits can make the online option the right choice for those students that are dedicated enough to learn at home.

Topics to Ask Physical Therapy Programs

At this point you probably have made a decision concerning a few of your preliminary questions, including the type of physical therapy degree you would like to attain, where you prefer to attend classes, and how much money you can afford to spend for your education. But since there are numerous PT colleges within the Channahon IL area and throughout Illinois, you’ll need to research other qualifications as well in order to further narrow your list of college choices. Furthermore, you need to make certain that you choose the college that is best for you. That’s why we have compiled a list of critical questions that you need to ask the physical therapist colleges you are considering. Ask each of the competing colleges these questions prior to making an ultimate selection.

Is the Physical Therapy Program Accredited?  Find out if the colleges you are considering have earned accreditation from a national or a regional organization. As earlier stated, if you are pursuing a doctorate the program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you enroll in an online college, it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council. It’s important that both the physical therapist program and school you enroll in are accredited, not just the school. Additionally, check that the accreditation is through a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to ensuring that you receive an excellent education, accreditation might be mandated for state licensing and even for securing student loans or financial assistance.

What is the College’s Reputation? Along with accreditation, it’s essential that the college and program you pick have exceptional reputations within the physical therapy community. There are a number of ways you can research a PT school’s reputation, starting with requesting references from employers that they refer their students to. You may also search for online rating services and reviews and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. Call a few Channahon IL physical therapist clinics or other health care facilities that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insight about your school options. It might also be prudent to contact the Illinois Attorney General and school licensing authority to find out if any complaints have been filed against the colleges.

What is the School’s Job Placement Percentage? There are a couple of significant statistics that you need to find out about each of the physical therapy colleges you are looking at. One is their graduation rate. A lower rate may indicate that students dropped out due to dissatisfaction with the program, the instructors, or both. After the students have graduated, what percentage of them are being placed in jobs with the support of the college’s job placement program, particularly in the Channahon IL area? If a college has a higher job placement rate, it’s an indication that its reputation within the medical care community is good or even exceptional. It also confirms that the program has a large network of contacts to assist students gain internships or employment after graduation.

Does the Program Support Licensing Requirements? It’s essential that the college you choose furnishes both superior training and a course of study that satisfies the licensing criteria for Illinois or the state where you will be working. In each state a passing score is required on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in addition to a degree from an accredited physical therapist program. While licensing requirements fluctuate state by state for PT and PTA graduates, a number of states require a minimum number of clinical hours be performed and passing scores on supplemental tests.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the physical therapist programs you are evaluating have partnerships with Channahon IL clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a requirement for the majority of PT programs and state licensing. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Channahon healthcare community and help with job placement after licensing.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the physical therapy schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the physical therapist school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Channahon IL home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most DPT schools offer some form of financial assistance to their prospective students. Ask if the schools you are examining have a financial aid department and find out what kind of aid is obtainable. They at least should help in securing a student loan or any scholarships you may be eligible for. A number of physical therapy colleges provide scholarships, while others provide work programs. So before eliminating a school because the tuition is beyond your budget, ask what financial aid may be available.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the physical therapist school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Channahon IL area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Earning Your Physical Therapy Degree near Channahon Illinois?

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

Channahon, Illinois

Channahon is a village in Grundy and Will counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 12,560 at the 2010 census. Channahon is also the name of the township in which most of the village resides. The current village president is Missey Moorman Schumacher. It is a southwestern suburb of Chicago.

Its name meaning "Meeting of the Waters" in the language of the area's original Potawatomi inhabitants, Channahon is located at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, where they form the Illinois River. The Illinois and Michigan Canal (including several locks) runs through most of the village, where it is fed by the water of the DuPage River. The local Channahon State Park celebrates the region's unique geographical history.

Later in the 19th century, a railroad line that eventually came under the control of the Santa Fe Railroad was laid through the eastern portions of the township, but no railroad actually passed through the village itself. In the late 1920s, U.S. Highway 6 came through Channahon; Interstates 80 and 55 followed in the 1960s (although I-80 runs approximately two miles to the north of the village limits).

Enroll in the Best Physical Therapist Training Program near Channahon IL

Deciding on the ideal physical therapist school is a necessary initial decision you have to make to begin a gratifying career in the medical profession. As we have addressed in this article, the PT or DPT degree program and college you choose should both have excellent reputations and accreditation. But there are additional important questions that you should ask concerning your school of choice as well. As you commence your search for a physical therapy school, keep in mind that numerous factors will lead you to your final decision. You may want to visit different schools to view their facilities and talk to active DPT students. While there, ask yourself this critical question: will this college help me realize my goal of becoming a licensed practicing physical therapist? By following our list of additional questions, you will be able to narrow down the field so you can make the ideal selection. And with the necessary education and training, you can fulfill your dream of becoming a practicing physical therapist in Channahon IL.

A Few More Interesting Locations in Illinois

  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Hebron IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Dwight IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Odin IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Mount Sterling IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Putnam IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Joy IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Mount Carmel IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – South Elgin IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Stockton IL
  • Physical Therapist Schools | Get Your Physical Therapy Degree – Sciota IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 246

    Athletico Physical Therapy - Channahon
    2 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
    Phone:
    25520 S Pheasant Ln, Unit M & N, Channahon, IL 60410

    Pro-Motion Physical Therapy
    11 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1010 S Ridge Rd, Minooka, IL 60447

    Hinsdale Orthopaedics - Joliet
    3 Reviews
    Sports Medicine, Orthopedists, Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    951 Essington Rd, Joliet, IL 60435

    ATI Physical Therapy
    5 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    2081 S Ridge Rd, Ste 101, Minooka, IL 60447

    Brightmore Physical Therapy
    3 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1240 Essington Rd, Ste 100, Joliet, IL 60435

    Athletico Physical Therapy - Shorewood
    1 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    700 W Jefferson St, Shorewood, IL 60404

    Integrated Physical Medicine
    18 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Massage
    Phone:
    3583 Hennepin Dr, Joliet, IL 60431

    Anew Medical and Rehabilitation
    3 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Physical Therapy, Nutritionists
    Phone:
    115 Republic Ave, Joliet, IL 60435

    Ridge Chiropractic Center
    2 Reviews
    Chiropractors, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    104 Ridge Rd, Ste 144, Minooka, IL 60447

    ATI
    1 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1120 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431