Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

Job Description Therapeutic pathway Help restore function and movement of patients’ bodies through exercises, electrotherapy, massage, and more

Duties Know patient history Test patients’ strength, mobility, etc. Create a plan personalized for each patient’s needs to improve mobility Educate patient on how the exercises help restore function Provide patient with equipment to aid in recovery Show patient the proper way to execute the exercises Reevaluate the patient and edit program accordingly Provide patients with preventative exercises Provide physical and emotional support to patient and family members Conduct re-examinations Determine when patient is fully healed Help patient complete the exercises Keep physically fit to be able to complete the physically demanding aspects of the career

Setting Generally 40 hour weeks Hours can be very flexible in a clinic, but can be less flexible in hospitals Considered one of the least stressful jobs Traveling physical therapist is an option travel around the country and work in different settings Some of the places you can work are hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, with sports teams, and more Working outside of hospitals is becoming more popular throughout the country According to U.S.News, physical therapy is #6 out of the top 100 best careers

Essential Personality Characteristics Polite-you do not want to offend a patient Educated-apply what you learned in college Respectful-you need to provide a positive environment for the patient Motivational-many times the patient may want to give up, but you need to help them over whatever obstacles they face Positive-the patient is more likely to want to keep coming back if they like seeing you Diligent-often the recovery of a patient is slow, so you must be able to continue work with little progress Compassionate-you must have empathy for the patient, they are human not just a number Stern-while you should continue to be empathetic and caring, sometimes you may have to get your point across to ensure the patient’s recovery Passionate-you should love what you do! If you do what you love, you never have to work a day of your life Trustworthy-you need to have respect and trust between you and the patient to establish a positive relationship

Personality cont’d Requires a lot of physical activity, so you need to like to move around Value patient’s health, physical and mental Value compassion and personal bonds with patients I would be good for this career because I love motivating and helping others achieve what was thought to be impossible

High School Education High school: Biology, physics, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, psychology, math, social sciences, and health

College Education College: Any bachelors degree, then grad school Wisconsin Schools Physical Therapy Program at UW-Lacrosse, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UW-Madison, Carroll College, and Concordia Out of State Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at University of Pittsburgh, and physical therapy program at University of Southern California Starting to require doctorate degree, used to just be a bachelors

Example of a DPT Program University of Pittsburgh Program website https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/physicaltherapy/ Sample class schedule

Wages/Benefits The national range is 56K- 113K per year, while in Wisconsin that range narrows to 60K- 98K You generally start with a salary in the 50K- 60K range, and can make more money in different settings and with more experience Generally you get insurance benefits as well as paid sick days/time off, holidays, 401K, continuing education and opportunities to advance

Outlook Predicted to grow in demand by 36% between 2012-2022 So very good! However: getting into a physical therapy grad school is competitive so work hard

Personal Assessment Why would I be good for the job? I love helping others I’m always active I am open to new ideas and methods I’m willing to work hard I can work for a long time with little to show for it and that’s okay I would make enough money to live comfortably There is no procedure I would have to complete that goes against my beliefs and morals I love the amount of reward you would get in this career, like seeing a patient who could barely move their leg before now walk out of the facility

Myths About Physical Therapy Any health care professional can provide physical therapy You must be a certified physical therapist to complete a physical therapist’s duties A physician’s referral is needed to see a physical therapist Some states have limits on what physical therapists may do without a referral, but you are able to see a physical therapist at any time Physical therapy is just exercises you can do on your own without paying Without the supervision, guidance, and support of a physical therapist, you may actually do more damage than good if you try to avoid the expense of a physical therapist

Works Cited "ExploreHealthCareers.org." Physical Therapist. Web. 23 May 2015. http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/70/Physical Therapist . "Physical Therapy Job Outlook." Physical Therapy Job Outlook. Web. 23 May 2015. http://www.georgefox.edu/physical-therapy/career/joboutlook.html . "Physical Therapist (PT) Careers." Physical Therapist (PT) Careers. Web. 23 May 2015. http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/ . "The 100 Best Jobs." The 100 Best Jobs. Web. 23 May 2015. http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-bestjobs . "Facts & Myths About Physical Therapy." Health Net Member Pulse. Web. 23 May 2015. http://healthnetpulse.com/member/2014/10/20/facts-myths-aboutphysical-therapy/ .