Physical Therapist Career
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Physical Therapist Job Description
Physical therapists (PTs) are involved with management of disabling conditions like arthritis, heart disease, low back pain, fractures, cerebral palsy or head injuries. The objective of the treatment is to improve mobility, reduce pain, prevent or limit disability and restore normal functions.
Physical Therapists are largely concerned with the management of locomotor disabilities and malfunctions. In addition, Physical Therapists are concerned with maintaining and promoting overall fitness and health.
Physical Therapists are involved in care giving for patients of all ages, with functional or structural disorders, which limit the mobility of the individuals. They develop and design specific treatment plans for patients suffering from arthritis, fractures, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and injuries.
Certain Physical Therapists specialize in the management of sports injuries. Interventions include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, functional training, use of prosthetic and adaptive equipments and electrotherapeutic modalities.
Physical Therapist Skills/Duties
In addition to possessing basic medical knowledge about body parts, their functions, etc, a Physical Therapist is required to have additional skills which include strong interpersonal skills, motivational skills to empower patients in complete distress, empathy and patience.
A job of a Physical Therapist would require him/her to interact on one hand with patients affected by terminal illness like multiple sclerosis, while on the other hand with patients suffering from sports injuries and trauma. It is important for the Physical Therapist to be able to emotionally handle these patients, as a PT spends a considerable amount of time training and mobilizing these patients.
Physical Therapist Education and Training
• In order to purse a profession in physical therapy, a candidate must first graduate from a physical therapist education program, with a masters or a doctoral degree. The course includes training in biology, chemistry, physics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, examination techniques, biomechanics and therapeutic procedures.
• Following the qualification, graduates from Physical Therapist programs must past the National or State licensing examinations to gain a license to practice.
• Further, it is important for Physical Therapist to attended continued education classes and workshops to maintain their license.
Physical Therapist Job Outlook
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 185,500 Physical Therapist jobs available in the United States in 2008. Estimates suggest that a 30 % increase in the job opportunity is the sector is expected through 2018. Further, as per the Bureau, on several occasions, some Physical Therapists held more than one post, which makes the figure of present jobs higher than the actual number of Physical Therapists available in the United States.
Most of the Physical Therapists work in hospitals or healthcare settings of private practitioners. However there is immense scope in the training and research domains as well. The Bureau says, it is the fastest growing occupation, compared to other occupations, which require at least a master’s degree.
Physical Therapist Salary
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary of a Physical Therapist is about $72,790, which varies depending upon the setting in which the individual is employed. The overall variation is less than 10 %, however, the salary figure could range between $60,300 and $85,540, with physical therapists in home healthcare settings earning the highest, closely followed by physical therapist employed in Nursing care facility.
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