Physical Therapist
Julianne Hellerich
Description of profession
A physical therapist diagnoses and treats individuals of all ages, who have medical problems or health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
Certifications necessary to be a Physical Therapist
Professional physical therapists who hold a master's or doctoral degree in the field can pursue 1- to 3-year specialized certificates in such specialties as geriatric, neurological or pediatric physical therapy. Completing one of these programs can lead to certification in a physical therapist's specialty of choice.
Daily activities of a Physical Therapist
After a diagnosis has been determined, the physical therapist designs a plan of care that includes short- and long-term functional goals and interventions that may include exercise, traction, mobilization/manual therapy, ultrasound and/or electrotherapy
Educational Requirments
* doctoral or physical therapy degree
* Doctoral programs require 3.0 GPA
* require prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics
Pay Day
$60-100 thousand
Necessary skills to be a good PT
* The ability to crouch, kneel, reach, pull to perform exercises with patients
* The ability to climb when instructing patients on the stairs
* Good communication skills
Practice setting
*Schools
* works
*colleges
*hospitals
Job Outlook
18.85% growth rate and high demand for PT
Physical Therapy Treatments : How to Heal a Herniated Disc With Exercise