Working in New York as a PTA

Hi. I'm hoping someone might be able to help...

I've been working as a PTA at a London hospital for over a year now and am considering a move to the US (New York). I would love to continue to work as a PTA over in the states but am unsure whether or not I would be qualified to do so. I currently hold a degree in Psychology but from what I've been reading this would not be good enough seeing as US students currently take a 2 year course!

Any ideas as to what the exact requirements would be to work in New York as a PTA and whether I could do so as it stands?

Perhaps working as an "aide" would b easier but this seems a step down as I'm already doing a PTA job. Hmm!

Any help would be massively appreciated
:D

Thanks

Hi nimpig

I am not absolutely sure what you do to be a PTA in the UK. However I presume it is much like here in NZ - no formal qualification?

In the US there is a strong career hierarchy with licenced PTs at the top and PTAs the next level down. I think you generally complete a three year degree programme to be a PTA. So PTAs are actually highly qualified there - after all in England the Physios only do a three year degree. PTAs here would carry out a number of duties that physios do here, just under the supervision of a licensed PT

Here is the info on PTA programs put out by the APTA. These programme are accredited.

APTA | Home

Yea you don't need formal qualifications to be a PTA here in the UK.

Cool thanks very much for your input. Will have a look at the APTA site now :)