Physical Therapist
Taylor Robertson
Occupation
Physical Therapist help people with physical injuries or illness of to regain range of movement and control their pain. Normally Physical Therapist help people who have lost their motor function due to accidents, illness or age. They determine the root causes of trauma, counsel patients, and work with patients to create a plan for rehabilitation.
http://www.snagajob.com/job-descriptions/physical-therapist/
Certifications
- Specialist certification examination
- Current license having a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours in speciality area
- Pass an examination of evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, outcomes, anatomy, evidenced based on theory, and movement science.
Daily Activities
Physical Therapists include:
- examination (test for muscle function, strength, joint flexibility, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, respiration, skin integrity, motor function, quality of life, and activities of daily living.)
- diagnosis (exercise, traction, mobilization/manual therapy, ultrasound and or electrotherapy, vestibular training, motor learning and development, and patient/family education.)
- creation/implantation/adjustment of a plan care (short or long term functional goals)
- determine a patient's ability to reintegrate into the workforce
Education Requirements
To become a Physical Therapist:
- High School diploma
- You need either your Masters degree (MPT, MSPT, MS) or a Doctoral degree (DPT) from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
- To either be admitted to one of these programs you have to be working for at least three years towards an undergraduate baccalaureate accredited degree.
- After graduating you have to pass the State-Administered National Exam.
- To prepare for Physical Therapy you may need to pass Psychology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, English, Professional Writing, and Humanities.
- May include basic and medical science courses.
Salary
Starting at $55,620 to max which is about $112,020.
The Average income for a Physical Therapists is about $79,860.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-5
Skills
Physical Conditions
- Being able to move patients safely
- Perform CPR
- Being able to safely guard patients
- Being able to demonstrate exercises
- Being able to work 40+ hours a week
- Identify skin change
- Having good eye sight
- Be able to read scales, equipment, and medical records
- Being able to respond quickly to a patient in need
- Being able to hear heart and lung sounds
- The ability to detect odors
- Ability to feel pulse, muscle tone, and bony landmarks
- Ability to write documentations.
- The ability to collect and integrate data
- Ability to handle the emotional stress
- Ability to read and comprehend patient information
- Be able to multi task
- Being able to interact with people and just not patients
- Abide by the policies and procedures
- Effectively communicate in English
Practice Settings
Physical Therapist Work at:
- Rehabilitation Hospitals
- Sub-Acute Rehabilitation
- Extended Care Facility/ Nursing home/Skilled Nursing Facility
- Outpatient Clinic
- School/Preschool
- Wellness/Prevention/Sports/Fitness Areas
- Home Health
- Hospice
- Industrial Workplace
- Local, State, and Federal Government
- Research Center
Fun Facts
- Different types of Physical Therapy may include orthopedic, acute care, post-operative care, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehab, lymphphedema management, wound care, and neurologic rehabilitation.
2. In 2007, about 9 million adults utilized outpatient Physical Therapy services
3. Only thirty percent of Physical Therapist Patients are fully adherent with their plan of care.
http://blog.theravid.com/patient-care/8-thought-provoking-facts-physical-therapy-ignore/
Physical Therapist Careers Video from APTA