Career Research Project
By: Kinsey Tyson
I. Educational Requirements
1. Does this career require a college or technical degree?
Becoming a Physical Therapist does require a college degree because you are caring for other people –something that you must be highly trained to do.- You must also, during the job, be knowledgeable about the body, conditions, and what may be wrong with your patient.
2. How many years of school are required?
Before they are allowed to practice, physical therapists must have earned graduate degrees from accredited academic programs in physical therapy. These programs typically culminate in a doctoral degree and take at least three years to complete.
3. What are good colleges to attend for this career?
According to the Best Graduation Schools website, the best school for becoming a physical therapist is the University of Delaware. While this may be the top-rated school for this career, an individual can simply attend a community college in order to obtain their degree.
II. Required Skills
In order to succeed as a Physical Therapist, an individual must possess communication skills, a series of physical skills that would help the patient, good judgement, and plentiful knowledge on the patient’s condition.
2. Do you have to have these skills in order to have this career?
Some of the skills that I have listed are very essential when completing the career. The most important one, I believe, are communication and knowledge because you (above all) must work well with others –especially your patients- and it is also very significant to be able to tell what is wrong with the person you are helping. The other ones I have listed are necessary in carrying out daily duties.
III. Salary
The annual salary for a Physical Therapist (average) is $66, 960.
2. Does this salary stay the same, or does it increase annually?
From what it seems, the average is not continually rising, however, giving thought to our society today, it may rise in the future due to healthcare costs.
3. What is the least you could make? Most?
The most you could make, as a physical therapist, is $86,520 a year ($41.59 an hour). The least you could make, however, is $60,600 a year ($29.13 an hour).
4. Does education make a difference in the salary?
The more experienced you are (through education), the more likely you are to succeed in the career. Yes, education does impact the salary an individual receives.
IV. Job Duties & Type of Work
PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.
2. What hours/days are required to work?
Most physical therapists work full time. About 1 in 5 worked part time in 2014. Although most therapists work during normal business hours, some may work evenings or weekends (it really depends on their patient’s schedule).
3. Can this career be found in any city?
It can be found in any city for the most part, but it depends on where you live.
4. Is the job completed indoors or outdoors?
This job is usually done indoors in good temperature conditions.
V. Job Benefits & Job Drawbacks
Two of the biggest benefits in this job are 1) You have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making someone’s life better and that you get to help them, and 2) The job does pay very well.
2. What are some things that may not be beneficial in the career?
Some things that may not be as great about being a Physical Therapist is the amount of work. For example, my mom is currently in school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. Every day, she comes home and gets straight to studying her massive amount of notes, and her books. If an individual does not have enough motivation or persistence, they may not even make it through the required program.
VI. Interview Questions
1. When is a time you had a lot on your plate and how did you handle it?
2. Where do you see yourself ending up? Where did you see yourself in 5 years?
3. What qualities do you see in yourself that relate to you as a professional?
4. What is your greatest accomplishment in the Physical Therapy field?
5. As a PT, what duties would you assign a PT assistant that you wouldn't an aide?
6. What is something positive that has resulted from managed care?
7. Suppose you walk into a hospital room to work with a patient and she refused. What would you do?
8. Why did you choose to pursue PT instead of another health profession such as a doctor or nurse?
9. When is a time that you had to overcome a challenge in the Physical Therapist program?
10. What is your favorite thing about being a Physical Therapist?