Therapist Career Requirements

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

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Both occupational and physical therapist require extensive degrees. One difference noted was the required education to become a physical therapist or occupational therapist. A physical therapist will be required to attend school longer than an occupational therapist. A physical therapist is required to have a doctorate degree. A doctorate degree must be obtained after completing undergraduate school and requires approximately three more years to complete. An occupational therapist will need a Master’s degree. A Master’s degree must be obtained in graduate school as well, but only requires approximately two years 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

(David Hayes ,1998). According to the Physical Therapist Assistants (2007), "There were, 238 accredited physical therapist assistant programs in the United States as of 2004. Accredited physical therapist assistant programs are designed to last 2 years, or 4 semesters, and culminate in an associate degree." Programs are divided into academic study and hands-on clinical experience. Academic course work includes algebra, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology. Many programs require that students complete a semester of anatomy and physiology and have certifications in CPR and other first aid even before they begin their clinical field experience. (Physical Therapist Assistants ,2007) Both educators and employers view clinical experience to ensure that students understand the responsibilities of a physical therapist assistant. Employers typically require physical therapist aides to have a high school diploma, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire to assist people in need. Most employers provide clinical on-the-job training.

A physical therapy assistant needs to have a high school diploma or certification that is equivalent. They also need to take courses in science and mathematics in high school. The prospective physical therapy assistant then goes on to get an associate degree in an accredited program for physical therapy assistants. Accreditation of these

Although physical therapists are regulated in all 50 states, certain states have there own requirements that you must fulfill in order to become certified. In order to work at a professional entry level job, you must be accredited by a CAPTE program in order to take the licensure exam to earn a DPT ( doctor of physical therapy ) degree. The reason for all the exams and programs you have to take is to ensure that you have all the knowledge and hands on experience to go into the professional level. While working as a Physical Therapist you will have a wide range of patients that you will see and treat. This may include athletes, children, physically disabled individuals and even the elderly.

To become a physical therapist assistant you need to earn an associate’s degree and graduate from a program that is accredited by CAPTE. Being a Physical therapy assistant takes a lot of hard work and dedication just like any other job. Patients are treated in many different locations from hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics and at the patient’s own home. While treating patients you need to smile, be kind, patient, and understanding. The patient wants to feel like you care and want to see them get better. In order to do that you must do whatever you can to fulfill their needs and listen to their thoughts and concerns. Patients come from many different backgrounds, whether they are from another country, don’t speak English, young, or old, so you have to learn how to accommodate to each individual and treat them with respect. While treating the patients you have to remember to follow all standards given to you, to ensure you aren’t breaking any rules or laws that can affect you and your place of business. As a PTA you are expected to know how to treat a patient, work in a team, document patients, and properly communicate with others. Additional elements that you need to know is how to perform a skin assessment, take a patient’s blood pressure, and perform balance tests. There are many responsibilities when working in this field, but in the end it is all worth

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 future physical therapists, PT students are motivated to get out into the world of health care in order to make a lasting impact on the profession. Physical therapists go through a rigorous education process to receive their Bachelor’s and now go onto graduate school to obtain a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. This adds up to about seven years of education post high school.

A physical therapist works with many different people to reduce pain and improve flexibility. PT’s first evaluate a patient based on what happened to them. Later, they create a personalized treatment for the patient based on what happened to them. They work in clinics, hospitals, sports facilities and many more locations. The average pay of a physical therapist is $80,000 dollars a year which depends on experience and location. To become a physical therapist, you must get a four year undergraduate degree. Then you must get a graduate degree from a physical therapy program. Finally a PT must pass a national licensure exam to be able to practice. This career relates to sports medicine because many PT’s work with athletes that have gotten injured

First, many years of schooling are required to become a physical therapist. Since a physical therapist requires knowledge in many different subjects, this could take many years to achieve. Mary Laurin, a physical therapist at Mercy, said “A four-year undergraduate degree and then a 3-year doctorate program in physical therapy to become a physical therapist today.” It’s crucial that when becoming a therapist to achieve this since therapists must be able to help patients both mentally and physically. Even with many years of school, it can still be difficult to work with patients.

Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather then by drug or surgery. Physical therapist are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who help patients reduce the pain they have and help improve or restore their mobility. PTs work in many different setting including high schools, hospitals, outpatient Clinique, etc. To become a physical therapist I'll need a graduate degree- either a masters or clinical doctorate - from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure exam. There is currently 199 colleges and universities nationwide that support 212 accredited professions physical therapy programs.

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