Physical Therapy For Becoming A Licensed Physical Therapist

Ever since I was a kid, it has been my life goal to help as many people I can. I have moved around in many different areas of the medical field, but no career had caught my eye as much as physical therapy. As an athlete, I have been in and out of the physical therapist’s office for a majority of my life. Each time I have went I could not help but be beyond grateful for what these people have done for me; they have given me the ability to play the sport I love despite all the hiccups. Physical therapy is a dynamic field within the field of medicine because as a physical therapist one can make a difference in the lives of his or her patients, enjoy job security, and enjoy a rewarding and personally satisfying career.

In order to be successful in the profession as a physical therapist there are several prerequisites a person has to accomplish. One of the first prerequisites to become a physical therapist is you must graduate from a physical therapist educational program and obtain a master or doctoral degree. The master's degree programs for physical therapy typically are two to two and a half years in length, while doctoral degree programs usually last 3 years. In addition to classroom and laboratory instruction, students will complete supervised clinical experience to get a feel of the work environment. The coursework will include physics, biology and chemistry. Other additional coursework included during the physical therapy program is therapeutic procedures, biomechanics, examination techniques, human development, manifestations of disease, and neuroanatomy. You can specialize in one of those certain topics, which will concentrate more on a certain area. Students must also obtain a license in order to practice physical therapy. A license can be obtained by

Beyond the educational requirements for physical therapists are the many other attributes that are needed to be successful. A career as a physical therapist requires a lot of studied skills, personal characteristics and physical fitness. A physical therapist should enjoy working with people and helping others. An ability to listen to patients and understand is important to success. Patients are often a victim of a traumatic experience, injury or are afflicted by a debilitating disease. The emotional distress can often be as trying as the physical dysfunction. (Kottler 11) Communicating and teaching skills are needed to help patients learn new movements and exercises to practice on their own. Physical therapists help patients set goals, regain and strengthen muscles and flexibility. Helping a patient find confidence in the program helps them to

Physical therapists are required to complete at least six years or higher of education before work begins. This means that a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree must be achieved. Only a few colleges or universities offer master’s programs, therefore a student must enter a doctoral program to attain this profession. Acquiring a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree requires three years of education only after receiving a bachelor’s degree. Most students join residency programs that can last anywhere from nine months to three years to

K. H., St Marie, B.,J., Nordstrom, T. M., Christensen, N., Mongoven, J. M., Koebner, I. J., . . . Sluka, K. A. (2014). An interprofessional consensus of core competencies for prelicensure education in pain management: Curriculum application for physical therapy. Physical Therapy, 94(4), 451-65. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/1522798459?accountid=8289 This article puts the blame back on the uneducated or miss education of physical therapists.

Physical Therapy programs are presented as a master’s (MPT, MSPT, MS) or doctoral (DPT) degree from an accredited physical therapy program. In order to be admitted to a DPT, MPT, MSPT, or MS program you have to first either completely obtain, or have been working at least three years closer to an undergraduate baccalaureate accredited

Physical therapists are members of a health care team, specially trained to improve movement and flinction, relieve pain, and expand movement potential. Through evaluation and individualized treatment programs, physical therapists can both treat existing problems and provide preventive health care for people with a variety of needs (Physical Therapy-Improving 1). Physical therapists are very knowledgeable and skillful concerning the human body. Physical therapy is a complex, but rewarding field to pursue as a career. Specialization, working conditions, job outlook, salaries, and education requirements need to be taken into consideration when contemplating a career as a physical therapist.

As a doctor of physical therapy, one of my career goals is being able to provide an optimum level of care to every individual that I encounter. Throughout my life, I have always found joy in helping others. Whether that help was big or small, it made me happy knowing that I could put a smile on another person's face. Early in college when I was deciding which career path to choose, this factor influenced my decision to pursue physical therapy. Going to Samuel Merritt University will prepare me to achieve this goal because through their extensive clinical experience, small class sizes, and immediate graduate success, I will have ample opportunities to refine my skills in providing care.

Professionalism encompasses a plethora of attributes that must be displayed daily by those who strive to be known as the best at what they do. Even though I am about to finish my undergraduate career, the past four years have taught me a few things about being a young, up and coming professional. Going into any physical therapy program, I believe that an even higher standard will be demanded from me as I work towards becoming a licensed professional. Being a professional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) student is incumbent upon having a magnificent work ethic, having a tremendous attention to detail, show up on time, dress appropriately, and respect everyone. These characteristics although just a few, play a crucial role in being the best student I can be.

Physical therapy has been evolving as a profession over the last 50 years, bringing terms like "anatomy" to the field and leaving a stronger medical connection behind. Ties to a "doctoring" profession are great for physical therapy practice publicity. Embracing recent changes, many professionals are excited about this change, while others remain apprehensive. Either way, the evolution into a physical therapy practice is inevitable for many working in the field.

Many of the qualities that are needed is patience, an interest in health and helping people, reading comprehension, active listening, writing, speaking, and monitoring. For some cases, physical therapists need to be an active listener to understand the patient and also have to speak clearly so the patient can understand them and the instructions. They will also need to use things like science and math for many parts of this job. More specifically, physical therapists will need to be able to solve complex problems, have coordination, be able to instruct, make decisions and judgements, analyze the operation, be able to persuade, analyze and evaluate the system, and manage their time. Physical Therapists have to persuade many patients that whatever they instruct them to do will actually help them and not be pointless. Also they have to study their patients impairment and come up with the best and most effective way to help. When they can attain these skills, they can excel

Physical therapy requires more higher education than typical degrees. They work with patients physically and emotionally to work within their limitations; they are responsible for the patient’s well-being just like a regular doctor. “Physical Therapist programs often include courses in Biomechanics, Anatomy, Physiology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology” (Occupational Outlook Handbook). It is relevant to know what courses have to be taken to become a Physical Therapist. It is important to know the body structure, what prescriptions a patient might be on, and how their brain works to give them the best possible care. Physical Therapy is important because they help others to become physically active. They help a person’s body become physically active without having someone to be dependent on. To become a Physical Therapist a person must have to have a doctoral degree which can increase the salary income as a Physical Therapist.

Being an aspiring student in a physical therapy program has driven me to embody the core values stated by the APTA and demonstrated by my coworkers. Working in the medical field means the well being of others is in your hands. The level of responsibility and accountability required is monumental, and you must be willing to step up to the task. Whereas many students only hold themselves accountable for their own benefit, as a DPT student, you must demonstrate initiative because your actions no longer affect just yourself. First and foremost, you must be responsible in the classroom. Prior to practice, a solid foundation of education and knowledge is critical. One should exercise due diligence in saturating themselves with the knowledge necessary to care for a patient in a safe, timely, and efficient

The master’s degree program in physical therapy takes about two years to complete. This program includes both general science courses and clinical experience, which is overseen by a licensed P.T. After they have finished the master’s degree program, students must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination in order to graduate. Before they are able to practice, the future physical therapists must also pass the required state exams as well. Although it may seem as if their training is finished, physical therapists must take several continuing education courses to keep their credentials up to date (Education-Portal.com). Though the schooling necessary for this profession takes around six years and when a professional, one has to recertify his or her license each year, this task isn’t that big of a burden when one is able to help patients in

Student’s will have to go through seven years of schooling to achieve their goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. When applicants start their journey of becoming a Physical Therapist, applicants must go through a bachelor 's degree program of 4 years and major in a health related field such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. After completing 4 years of Bachelor 's program applicants should apply for a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. When applying for a D.P.T program competition can be very competitive because for certain D.P.T programs only 30 applicants out of 200 or more can get accepted. Stated from the website, “Learn How to Become”, “As of 2014, there were 228 physical therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (C.A.P.T.E), most of which last 3 years”. When an applicant finally gets accepted into a D.P.T program students must complete a clinical internship in a certain area they wish to pursue with supervised experience. When applicants graduate from