Physical Therapy As A Career

Physical therapists have traditionally had a wide-ranging caseload that could involve working with patients who have chronic conditions, injuries, amputations or burns and illnesses that impair movement. Today, the range of health care responsibilities for physical therapists has grown further into specialized areas such as providing therapy to obese patients, focusing on diabetes prevention or working in sports programs.

The website of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) explores the expanding opportunities in emerging physical therapy practices. "In an ever-changing health care environment, new practice arenas continue to emerge for physical therapists. The patient/client populations you serve, along with the settings in which you serve them, offer new and expanding opportunities for the provision of physical therapy," states APTA.

PT is a growing field

The need for physical therapists (PT), therapist assistants and aides is growing across the age spectrum. The aging Baby Boom population is increasing the need for age-related therapy for cardiac and other types of physical rehabilitation, while medical advances are improving the survival rate for newborns with birth defects and their rehabilitative care.   

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for physical therapists is projected at 30 percent through the year 2018 and at 35 percent growth for PT assistants and aides. As one of the drivers of that job growth, the elderly population offers a particular challenge in the area of geriatric care. "The patients are the most ill, most complex, and the most dependent on our skills and wisdom for their persistence as independent living people," wrote Dr. David Solomon in a career guide for the American Geriatrics Society.

Solid education backed by 'soft skills' is a combination for PT success

As of 2008, there were about 185,500 physical therapists, 63,800 PT assistants and 46,100 aides in the U.S., based on BLS figures. Advanced education beyond a bachelor's degree has become the norm for today's physical therapists and professional licensing is required. Most states require PT assistants to have an associate's degree and be licensed, while physical therapy aides generally learn their skills on the job and aren't required to be licensed. Despite projected job growth, the BLS expects significant competition for PT assistant and aide jobs.  Increased needs for physical therapy and higher health care costs may cause physical therapists to rely more on PT assistants and aides to lower the cost of services. Once the therapist determines a patient's treatment plan, an assistant is able to provide much of the treatment under the therapist's direction.

Beyond the educational training necessary to develop their professional skills, physical therapists need to be "active listeners." Giving full attention to what patients are saying and taking the time to listen without interrupting allows the therapist to frame questions that will focus directly on patient's needs. Patients who feel their needs are being heard respond better to health advice and treatment.

"Soft skills," the sociological and emotional ability to relate to others through learned abilities, are particularly important for those administering physical therapy. These skills help PT professionals work well in team situations, solve problems and engage patients in their treatment. They are among the successful therapist's most important abilities, according to the Occupational Information Network (ONET), a program of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The increasing demand for physical therapy in different settings for patients of all ages may mean more is expected of physical therapists as they manage their caseloads.  Strong time management skills and an organized approach to each case are skills that will keep the therapist well-equipped to deal with the needs of every patient.

PT offers well-paid jobs and advancement to many in the field

Physical therapists can move on to supervisory positions within hospitals, physical therapy centers and other health care organizations. PT assistants often train in specific areas such as geriatrics, pediatric and cardiopulmonary therapy. Aides, who help prepare patients for their sessions and may assist in moving them to treatment areas, can progress into PT assistant jobs by gaining experience, taking accredited courses for their associate's degree and becoming licensed.

The field is gratifying to those who like to see measureable results, take pride in their patients' accomplishments and have a caring attitude toward those they help. But physical therapy has become a lucrative occupation as well. The median annual salaries are $109,900 for physical therapists, $46,140 for assistants and $23,760 for aides, the BLS reported.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm\

http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/29-1123.00

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Emerging_PT_Practice&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=202&ContentID=19869

http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/geristudents/whygeriatrics4.pdf