Physical Therapist

Overview:

A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people improve their movement, range of motion, and manage pain. They work with all kinds of patients including people recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions to restore functionality and mobility.

Education Pathway:

Bachelor's degree: This process usually takes about 4 years and is typically in biology, kinesiology, or exercise science.

Complete a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy): This is a program which usually takes about 3 years to complete and includes classroom instruction and hands on clinical experiences.

Pass the NPTE exam (National Physical Therapy Examination): This is a required exam which you must pass to be eligible to get your license.

(Optional) Specializations through residencies or fellowships: This is something you can do to continue deepening your understanding and expertise in certain areas of practice.

Responsibilities and daily activities:

Daily activities:

Conduct assessments
Guide patients through stretches, exercises, and different activities
Perform hands on therapy EX: (Massage, cupping, scraping, stem)
Develop schedule and treatment plan for each patient
Communicate with team members on new strategies/ideas

Responsibilities:

Evaluate patients physical abilities & medical history
Educate patients and caregivers on plan going forward
Stay informed on new research & technology
Collaborate with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
Track all progress and modify treatment as needed
Setting up/sanitize equipment after use
Take care of schedueling and billing

Employer:

Who employs Physical Therapists?

Hospitals and medical centers, outpatient clients, rehab centers, nursing homes and long term care facilities, sports/fitness centers, government and military agencies, etc.

Physical therapists are employed by a wide variety of businesses which makes them very desired.

Salary range:

$80,000 to over $110,000 annually, with a national median around $101,000.

Entry level:

Anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000.

Personal Reflection:

Overall I think this would be a good fit for me because it is a very hands on job which would keep me moving and active. I would be working with a lot of different people which is one of my strengths. I know I'd be able to build a connection and try to give them a sense of hope as much as possible. I am interested in PT a lot because I had to go through it myself and until I found the right person it was hard for me to see any hope of healing after my surgery. Also, I think to a certain extent, I could give them a sense of understanding and try to stay away from some of the negative things that I've seen when working with physical therapists.

Interview between employer and physical therapist: https://sites.google.com/d/10tRlxGVB5oAvPlGyPOh1eVaWUGZfOMd9/p/1ynG2X1a3vn00213WniPaQjfAStM2Fwkw/edit

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