Physical Therapist Career
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What
a Physical Therapist does:
A Physical Therapist works to improve mobility,
prevent injury and relieve pain for patients
with injuries or disease. Patients of a Physical
Therapist suffer from such conditions as
arthritis, fractures, heart disease, lower back
pain, cerebral palsy and head injuries. Physical
Therapists can choose to specialize in an area
such as pediatrics, orthopedics, sports
medicine, geriatrics or neurology.
The main
duties of a Physical Therapist include:
- Examining the patients medical history
- Testing a patients balance, coordination,
muscle performance, motor function, respiration
and strength
- Developing treatment plans
- Exercising patients who have been immobilized
- Massaging patients to improve circulation and
relieve pain
- Using electrical stimulation, cold compresses
and hot packs
- Conducting examinations and documenting the
patient’s progress
- Working with other healthcare professionals
i.e. physicians, dentists, nurses, occupational
therapists, audiologists.
Qualifications & Education:
To become a Physical Therapist you will need to
graduate with a Master’s Degree from an
accredited physical therapy program and obtain a
state license. The Commission on Accreditation
in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is the
accreditation body for physical Therapy Master’s
and Doctoral Degree programs.
Master’s Degree
programs usually last two years and Doctoral
Degree programs last for three years. Having a
Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline such
as Biology, Social Science, Anatomy, Biology,
Physics and Mathematics, is a prerequisite for
most programs. Having completed some voluntary
experience will help gain admittance to Physical
Therapy programs. Licensure requirements vary by
state. For most states you are required to pass
a National or State examination.
Salary & Job Prospects:
Physical Therapists earn between $50,000.00 and
$80,000.00 per year. Employment for Physical
Therapists is expected to grow faster than the
average job. Physical Therapists specializing in
Rehabilitation, Geriatrics and Orthopedics are
expected to have the best job opportunities.
Find an Allied Health School:
Use the red search box above, to find Allied
Health schools and colleges in your area that
offer Physical Therapist Programs.
Below is a list of some of the various types of
allied health careers / professions: |
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