Have you ever thought about becoming a physical therapist in Minnesota?
It is an exciting job, and it can have you facing new challenges and helping patients reach their goals.
The schooling is pretty straightforward, and the pay rate is good, so it’s a career to look into.
You can go from an assistant to a skilled physical therapist to branch off to something further.
Below is a helpful guide explaining what you need to become a physical therapist in Minnesota.
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A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Physical Therapist in Minnesota
Requirements
In Minnesota, you need to complete high school or your GED.
You will then complete a post-secondary program and pass the national exam.
Upon completing that, you can sit for your physical therapy assistant license.
Some will require you to have a criminal check done, so it’s a good idea to get this and have it ready in case you need it.
Applying For Your Physical Therapy Assistant License
To work as a physical therapist assistant in Minnesota, you need to be licensed by the Board of Physical Therapy.
You need to fill out the application after completing the course.
You must pass on transcripts of the completed course and pass the National Physical Therapy Assistants Exam (NPTAE).
In most cases, you must do a background check and provide two recommendations.
The fee to take the exam for the license is $110 and must be renewed every 12 months.
If you fail to renew the license, you must stop working immediately.
Renewing Your License
You must renew your license when working as a physical therapist assistant in Minnesota.
When your license is close to expiring, the Board of Physical Therapy will send you an application to renew it a month or so before it is due.
Having this license shows you are maintaining your professional standing.
In most cases, you must complete 10 hours of contact education credits each year to continue working as a physical therapist assistant.
Schools to study Physical Therapist Assistant in Minnesota
There are several schools where you can study to become a physical therapist assistant some will differ in course length, costs, and requirements.
Lake Superior College
https://degrees.lsc.edu/physical-therapy-assistant/
Lake Superior College offers you a two-year course to gain your physical therapist assistant certificate.
The cost of the course is $5785.
This college has an on-campus physical therapy clinic where you can deal with real patients and gain some valuable hands-on experience.
A faculty member will supervise you while patients access low-cost physical therapy.
You can access off-campus hands-on experience and learn new skills.
As a therapist assistant, you will be responsible for helping patients recover from injuries or accidents and learning to use new equipment to help improve their lives.
Rasmussen University
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/physical-therapist-assistant/
The Rasmussen University course qualifies you to work as a physical therapist assistant.
The course lasts 18 months and is split between online and classroom work.
The university has a lab where you will attend several days when attending on campus.
You will need both hands-on and theory work to work with real patients and get an insight into the type of work you will be doing.
You will learn about the different activities and equipment that patients can do to help regain their movement.
You will learn to document in patient files, work alongside doctors and other physical therapists, and study different things and how the body works.
St. Catherine University
https://catalog.stkate.edu/undergraduate/health/physical-therapist-assistant/aas/
St Catherine University has a physical therapy assistant program that prepares you to complete the national therapy exam.
The course runs for 19 months, and in that time, you will learn how to help patients recover from injury with massages, exercises, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold therapy, and teach patients how to use specialized equipment for amputees, wheelchairs, and walking frames.
You will get experience in acute care, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation settings, and nursing homes.
The course cost per credit is $750; financial aid is available if you meet the criteria.
Top 3 Schools in Minnesota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Lake Superior College | 2101 Trinity Rd, Duluth, MN 55806, United States |
| Rasmussen University | 385 Douglas Ave Suite #1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, United States |
| St. Catherine University | 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55105, United States |
Salary
When working as a physical therapist in Minnesota, you can earn $65,401.
The average salary ranges from $59,501 to $71,601.
It will depend on where you work, your certifications, how much experience you get, and any additional skills you obtain.
The longer you work within the industry, the higher your paycheck will be.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Physical Therapist Assistants in Minnesota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $38,500 |
| St. Paul | $38,500 |
| Duluth | $34,600 |
| Rochester | $36,200 |
| Minnetonka | $38,500 |
| Lakeville | $38,200 |
| Eden Prairie | $38,400 |
| Elgin | $36,100 |
| Gonvick | $31,900 |
| Hawley | $33,400 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 80 | $58,590 | $28.17 | $70,360 | $49,680 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 700 | $60,320 | $29 | $74,030 | $49,600 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 50 | $59,030 | $28.38 | $66,880 | $47,150 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Physical Therapist Assistant Course Transfer to the Physical Therapist Course?
No, it does not.
You can transfer some of your hours in your clinical courses, but whether you can do this depends on the school.
You will need other courses as prerequisites to be accepted into a physical therapist course.
What Skills Do I Need to Work As a Physical Therapist in Minnesota?
You must have the following skills to ensure you provide the best care to the patients.
- Teach patients how to use equipment to improve their mobility
- Using specialized tools and equipment
- Document on patient charts
- Have patience and compassion
- Understand movement dysfunction and pain
- Help with follow-up care and discharging the patient
- Address any concerns the patient has and help them to grow their confidence
What Duties Do You Do As a Physical Therapist in Minnesota?
You need to be able to perform several duties when working as a physical therapist assistant.
- Collect information about the patient and record it. From their neurological status, strength level, functional ability, and more.
- Prepare and assist with treatment, such as strengthening muscles and stretching them
- Aid in treatment to lower pain levels, swelling, and muscle spasms using forms such as electricity, hot and cold therapy, and water.
- Helping educate carers and families about patient activities, exercises, and self-care.
- Working alongside doctors and other physical therapists to ensure the patient is getting the best care they can.
- Offer supportive advice.
