Physical Therapist Job Description Information

A physical therapist is a health care professional who helps restore patients to full mobility following surgery or an accident. Through exercise, physical therapists teach patients how to relieve pain and regain body functions after an illness or following the onset of a disabling disease. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists primarily assist patients in restoring and maintaining overall maximum health and fitness levels.

 

Jobs

• Physical therapists often work for rehabilitation companies, hospitals, clinics, and orthopedic operations.

Requirements

• Requirements to be a physical therapist include a state license and a master's degree. That's true in most states, and national and state exams are given prior to licensing.

Diagnosis

• While physical therapists typically follow a doctor's prescription for therapy, the physical therapist must perform certain diagnostic procedures to test the patient's range of motion, physical capabilities and limitations, balance, heart rate, and pain level.

Technology

• Physical therapists are licensed to administer electronic shock treatments to damaged muscles and tissue to spur recovery.

Options

• Many physical therapists also train in massage to offer additional services to patients. They teach patients how to best incorporate assisting devices--such as crutches and walkers--in their recoveries.

Records

• Physical therapists must keep detailed records of their work with each patient and monitor her progress. The physical therapist often makes recommendations to the primary physician for additional treatments.

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Physical Therapist Salary Information

A physical therapist works with patients who suffer from pain or need treatment to regain mobility after injuries or surgery. They normally work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private offices and work with patients to promote the ability to move and reduce pain.

Because of the education and certification requirements to practice as a physical therapist, starting salaries range from $47,000 to $67,000 a year, and increase with experience. Statistics show starting salaries are rising due to the high demand of physical therapists.

 

Educational Requirements

• A physical therapist must receive a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapist program. They also are required to pass a state-administered national exam that allows them to practice.
• Most physical therapists will continue their education to receive higher pay or to get jobs at more prestigious hospitals and facilities. The majority of accredited physical therapist programs offer a doctor of physical therapy degree.

Physical Requirements

• Because physical therapists work closely with patients to promote mobility, the position can be physically demanding at times. They're required to lift, move, and support patients of all sizes. At times, the physical therapist is the only support for a patient going through rigourous and sometimes painful therapy.

Starting Salary in an Outpatient Clinic Setting

• Starting salaries for a physical therapist in a hospital setting can range from $65,000 to $77,000 a year. Physical demands can be greater in an outpatient clinic, but most outpatient facilities are only open until 8 p.m. Scheduling can be more demanding, with early evening and weekend hours.

Starting Salary in a Home Healthcare Setting

• Starting salaries for a physical therapist in a home healthcare setting can range from $65,000 to $77,000 a year or more. Physical demands can be greater in a home healthcare setting, and the therapist is required to travel to their patients' homes. Scheduling can be less demanding because in most cases, home healthcare therapy is done weekdays during normal business hours.

Starting Salary in a Pediatric Setting

• Starting salaries for a physical therapist in a pediatric hospital or clinic can range from $47,000 to $53,000 a year. Physical demands in a pediatric setting will be much less than in an adult-treatment setting, but scheduling can include early evenings and weekend hours to accommodate children's school schedules.

Starting Salary in a Hospital Setting

• Starting salaries for a physical therapist in a hospital setting can range from $58,000 to $67,000 a year. Of course, physical demands can be greater in a hospital, in which patients will be of all ages and sizes, and many may require extensive therapy. Scheduling at hospitals normally includes day, evening, and weekend shifts.

High Demand for Physical Therapists

• Because of the high demand for healthcare employees, physical therapists can expect good working conditions and benefits. Very few physical therapists are unemployed. That can lead to higher pay and the opportunity to work flexible schedules. Working for an agency that sends physical therapists to fill vacancies at various healthcare facilities can increase starting salaries by up to 30 percent.

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How to Become a Physical Therapist

A physical therapist (PT) works with patients who have suffered physical disabilities as the result of an accident or a disease. In consultation with doctors and other medical professionals, the PT designs a patient's rehabilitation therapy and works with the patient over a course of weeks, months or even years. Therapy can include exercise, deep-tissue massage and ultrasound treatments.

1. Understand that you will need a bachelor's or master's degree in physical therapy, and that it will include numerous science courses, including chemistry, biology and physics. You should begin taking these science courses in high school.
2. Work on polishing your interpersonal skills. You will often have to advise frustrated patients and family members about long-term physical therapy.
3. Go to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Web site (apta.org) for up-to-date information about this field. Also look for the APTA list of accredited schools and contact your top choices for their admissions information.
4. Maintain an excellent grade point average. The physical therapy field is highly competitive.
5. Consult local hospitals, rehabilitation centers and private therapy practices about their hiring forecasts. Try to get your internship where jobs might be available after you graduate.
6. Pass the mandatory licensure exam after you have received your degree. Check your state's exact licensing requirements long before graduation.
7. Decide if you want to specialize in an area such as neurology, pediatrics or sports medicine. Ask your counselor about the additional training or degrees required for certification in a specialty. Remember that you can work toward a specialty after you graduate from college.

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