Physical Therapist
Lakie Spencer
What is it?
Daily Activities include:
- Review patients' medical history
- Diagnose patients' dysfunctional movements
- Set up a plan for patients by setting goals and exercises to reach them
- Use exercises, stretches, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients' pain and increase their mobility
- Evaluate a patients' progress
Settings:
Physical therapists typically work in private offices or clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Salary:
The average annual salary for a physical therapist in the United States is $86,520.
Job Outlook
Physical Therapist To Be
Physical Therapist have to have a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to practice. This program typically lasts 3 years. Most programs require a bachelor's degree for admission with specific prerequisites in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physics. Some students follow their degree with a clinical residency program which lasts about 1 year. This will provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of care.
Certification:
Licensing requirements vary by state but all include passing the Nation Physical Therapy Examination. Continued education is typically required for physical therapists to keep their license.
Important Qualities:
*Compassion- They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients.
*Interpersonal skills- Physical therapists spend most of their time working with patients so it is important they know how to communicate, explain treatment programs, motivate and listen to their patients to provide effective therapy.
*Dexterity- They must use their hands to provide manual therapy and therapeutic exercises.
*Detail Oriented- Physical therapists should have strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patients' problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Physical Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (visited January 14, 2015)
"PT Career and Salaries Information- How Much Do Physical Therapists Make?" Physical Therapy Salary. N.p., 2015. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://physicaltherapysalary.org/>.