Physical Therapist
Kayla Cornelius Pd.2
Duties and Responsibilities
Physical therapists help people who have injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. They diagnose dysfunctional movements and set up plans for their patients. They educate patients about their illness and try exercises that will help them get treated.
Average Working Hours, Schedule, Working Locations, Job Growth, and Pay
Physical Therapists usually work full time. They can work in offices of health practitioners, hospitals, home health care services, or nursing and residential care facilities. The average salary for a physical therapist was $76,310 in May 2010.The employment of physical therapists is expected to increase 39 percent from 2010 to 2020. There will be a high demand due to the increase in age of baby boomers as well as the ability for new technology to allow trauma victims or newborns to survive.
Education Needed
Physical therapists are required to have a postgraduate professional degree. People can either go for a Masters degree or a Doctoral degree. Most programs for physical therapy require specific prerequisites such as anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry. Northern Illinois University offers physical therapy as a major.
Skills Required and Advancement Opportunities
To be a physical therapist, a person needs certain qualities. They should have compassion and the urge to help others. They must be detail oriented and have dexterity in order to use their hands for therapy. They should have interpersonal skills because they work with people all day. They also need physical stamina because they are on their feet all day. A physical therapist can advance in their career by certifying in a specific clinical specialty such as pediatrics or sports therapy.
My Resources
Occupational Outlook Handbook