A profession in physical therapy is an excellent entry point to the field of rehabilitative medicine. This subspecialty of physiotherapy aims to increase patient mobility by applying both exercise and mechanical aids. There are plenty of opportunities for competent individuals to work in this industry. Orthopedics and sports medicine are only two examples of possible areas of concentration. You’ll be able to put your skills to practice assisting people with mobility problems. This manual will walk you through typical tasks, education, career paths, and salary expectations.
Purpose of Position
Sports injuries, auto accident injuries, broken bones, arthritic ailments, and children with cerebral palsy are some conditions a physical therapist treats. The goal is to assist patients in regaining physical abilities lost due to injury or illness. This can only be accomplished by researching the patient’s medical background. This will be useful in developing a strategy for addressing the patient’s physical impairments. The patient’s level of coordination, strength, posture, and motor balance must be considered while designing a treatment plan. As part of your job, you advise patients to start exercising to hasten their recovery.
Without regular physical activity, strength and mobility cannot improve. Increasing mobility is the primary requirement. Patients can then try strengthening, balancing, and coordinative exercise programs. Electrical stimulation, massages, prostheses, and wheelchairs are some other tools physical therapists use to help patients gain more traction. Maintaining open lines of communication with the patient’s loved ones during this time is also crucial. You’ll be a vital cog in the healthcare machine as a whole. Physical therapists and those who help them fall under this category.
Relevant Characteristics
There are defining traits of a successful physical therapist. You need to care about people genuinely and want to do what you can to assist them. People in various stages of physical pain will make up most of your clientele. The long durations of healing for these people must be approached with compassion. In healthcare, paying close attention to detail is expected. Physical therapists are in the same boat. You can analyze and implement successful treatments with your excellent analytical skills. You should feel at ease working with your hands to administer therapeutic exercises. Interacting effectively with patients and coworkers requires strong interpersonal skills. You will spend much time on your feet, lifting patients, and otherwise moving around, so physical stamina is essential. These qualities are crucial for physical therapists to excel at their jobs and give patients the best care possible.
Context of Employment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates around 200,000 PT jobs in the US. Most experts work in institutional settings like healthcare facilities and private practices. Approximately 71% of people in this sector do so full-time, with the remaining 29% working fewer hours. The largest occupation in terms of number of workers is in the healthcare industry (37%). Twenty-eight percent and ten percent of the labor force are employed in hospitals and healthcare services. Self-employment and residential care facilities account for the remaining 14% of the labor force.
Learning to Be a Physical Therapist
Physical therapists can only practice after completing graduate school. Master’s and doctoral degree programs in physical therapy require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree at minimum. Brain science, body mechanics, drugs, and anatomy will all be on the curriculum. The courses are simple for students with a solid biology, physics, anatomy, mathematics, and chemistry foundation. You can enter a residency program lasting one to three years after graduation. This will allow you to refine your physical therapy skills and obtain the needed experience to do your job. Earning a degree usually takes two to three years of full-time study.
The tuition and fees will cost between $13,000 (for residents) and $42,000 (for non-residents) every year. The above tuition and fees are approximations that do not include any potential extra costs. Budgeting for school expenses like liability insurance and lab fees is a good idea. The general rule of thumb is to set aside an additional $5,000 for these costs. You’ll need to pass at least two state license examinations after graduation. There is a $370 fee for taking the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Exam fees for various state licenses differ from one jurisdiction to the next. Everyone who works in physical therapy must hold a valid license. Some jurisdictions also mandate continuing education hours for physical therapists before they can practice. After accumulating substantial job experience, you should consider pursuing certification.
Career Prospects and Salary
There will be 39% more jobs available by the year 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall average is far greater than in any other field. An increasing number of elderly people and others who need therapy for their recovery are driving demand. In the United States, the typical income is $74,986. The bottom 10 percent typically earn $64,193 yearly. A maximum annual salary of $107,920 is possible for those at the top of the pay bracket. Your yearly salary is based on several variables, including your job title, employer, level of education, and years of experience. California pays its physical therapists an average annual salary range of $52,649-$67,441. In Chicago, however, things are a little different. The salary is between $58,685 and $73,155 per year. New York City jobs typically pay between $57,265 and $68,682 annually.
Workers in Illinois may expect an annual salary of $57,752-$72,496. The average yearly income in Florida is between $56,992 and $72,515. The salary range in Philadelphia is between $57,856 and $72,774 if you happen to get there. According to these parameters, a physical therapist’s compensation is 29% higher than the median salary for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2020, the average pay will be 20% more than it is today. This contrasts with the typical salary across all other professions in the country. The top 10% of earners share several commonalities. Some examples are having more education, experience, or certification than the average person. Since cities and suburbs are already full of physical therapists, it’s wise to look for work in more remote locations.
Visit [http://www.physicaltherapisthq.org/] for other resources about physical therapists. Compensation for physiotherapists, and
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