Physical Therapy School to Have a Vigorous Workplace and a Rewarding Career

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Physical Therapy Schools Pave the Way for a Rewarding Career - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

Physical Therapy Assistant Schools: Your Alternative to a Career in Patient Care - - - - - - - - 4

What to Look for in a Physical Therapy School - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5

Physical Therapist Schools: Career Development Begins Here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6

Get a Promising Career at Accredited PT Schools - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7

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Physical Therapy Schools Pave the Way for a Rewarding Career

Not everyone is blessed with the certainty of knowing his career path. You might be one of many who struggled with picking the right course in college. Maybe you decided to be practical and chose a course that promised a secure job in the future. Unfortunately, the job market today isnt as stable as it was a decade ago. With the recent downturn in the economy, perhaps you, along with many other people, are attempting to shift to a better-paying job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is projected to grow by 27 percent until the year 2016. Explore the possibilities of a lucrative new career with physical therapy schools today. Healing People of All Ages What has prompted this increase in demand? Forbes.Com reports that the need for more physical therapists is due to the fact that the American population has gotten older. With advanced age come chronic conditions that require physical therapy. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) says that physical therapy not only restores strength, range of motion, coordination, and flexibility but also reduces chronic pain. For a majority of old people, the freedom of being able to perform simple daily tasks are a great contributor to an improved quality of life. As a therapist, you will have a hand in that. Physical therapy helps the elderly recuperate from strokes and cope with arthritis, incontinence, osteoporosis, cancer pain, and a variety of other age-related conditions. But this treatment isnt solely reserved for old people. As a physical therapist, youll also treat patients who either suffer from a debilitating and chronic condition (like multiple sclerosis), or help people recover from a serious injury sustained in an accident. Studying and Training To qualify for the profession, you need to acquire a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Majority of the programs offered across the United States will take up three years, if you study full time. A part-time commitment will take about four to five years. There are many reputable physical therapy schools to choose but there also are plenty of reputable universities that offer undergraduate physical therapy. The U.S. News released a list of top ranking universities that carry some of the countrys best physical therapy programs in 2009. The University of Southern California received top ranking, while the University of Pittsburgh and Washington University in St. Louis both vied for second place. Other schools included in the list were the University of Iowa, which has a graduate program

in physical therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Baylor University (US Army), which offers advanced studies with its doctoral physical therapy program; the New York University, and the MGH Institute of Health Professionals in Boston. As a student, youll learn and master anatomy, exercise physiology, neuroscience, biomechanics and a range of other science-related subjects. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education requires a minimum of 30 weeks in fulltime clinical education, which means you or the university youve chosen need to arrange hands-on training with actual patients. After completing the course, youll need to take a qualifying test to acquire a license to practice. Physical therapy is emotionally draining work. It requires patience, dedication, and an altruistic sense of concern for other people. Physical therapy schools will provide you with the required skills and competencies you need to make it as a therapist. The patience, dedication, and concern for others, however, will still have to be nurtured by you.

Physical Therapy Assistant Schools: Your Alternative to a Career in Patient Care

Helping people is a calling. It requires an enormous amount of commitment and boundless capacity for compassion. There are many ways you can make a difference in someones life. The most considerable impact you can make is by greatly improving someone elses quality of life. Physical therapy assistant schools offer you an incredible opportunity to do just that. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that around 63,800 jobs were available for physical therapy assistants in 2008 while 2010 saw 65,960 jobs open. The reported average income is projected at $49,810. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) describes the role of the physical therapy assistant as being part of a team that provides physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist. APTA is the governing body that maintains a level of standard in physical therapy schools to ensure that students acquire the very best level of education that qualifies them to treat all patients safely and properly. Physical therapists diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities. They restore and maintain optimal health for people of various ages. As an assistant, you are then required to have the proper competencies related to the responsibilities of the therapist. Most undergrad students in physical therapy who dont go on to study post-baccalaureate programs ultimately have the physical therapy assistant job to fall back on. If your goal is to become an assistant, there is a specialized program you can take. You will need to obtain a Commission on Accreditation in Physical

Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited two-year associate degree. This will not only provide you with the basic knowledge and skills you need in order to qualify as a physical therapy assistant, but will also allow you to take the national exam. Youll be required by most states to pass a licensure test before you are able to practice with a physical therapist. Currently, Colorado and Hawaii are the only two states that allow physical therapy assistants to work even without a license. The associate degree program is comprised of physical therapy courses, clinical education, and general education. The physical therapy content may include anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, kinesiology, biomechanics, clinical pathology, ethics, communication, and other pertinent topics. Classroom and lab study will take up 75 percent of your studies while 25 percent is reserved for clinical education. It is critical that you choose a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy assistant school. Without the accreditation, you will not be permitted to take the licensure exam. Unfortunately, APTA doesnt have a ranking for physical therapy assistant schools yet so you will have to consider a few factors that relate to the schools program. Examine the schools licensure pass rates, program structure and curriculum, facilities, cost and financial opportunities, training opportunities, and a few others as listed by the APTA. Once youve acquired the necessary competencies and license, you can start practicing with a physical therapist. You can begin to help the elderly recover from strokes or cope with arthritis. You can help car accident victims regain their mobility. You can become part of the group of people helping other people lead better lives through physical therapy.

What to Look for in a Physical Therapy School

What is the best job in the world? How would you describe it? For U.S. News & World Report, having the best job means being in demand, getting paid well, and having the opportunity for advancement. According to the Washington-based news magazine, physical therapist lands the number eight spot on the overall best job and number four spot on the best health care job of 2012. Physical therapy offers lucrative opportunities and a potential to make a difference in someone elses life. Before you dive into this fast-growing industry, examine the physical therapy school you want to enroll in, so you are guaranteed the very best education. All physical therapists and physical therapy assistants are required to get a degree from accredited institutions or universities. Your education begins with an undergraduate program, which provides you with the core competencies you require to enter a postbaccalaureate program. Physical therapy assistants are not required to enroll in post-grad studies, but are instead expected to finish a two-year associate degree

program. If your intention is to take on a physical therapy career, then youll need to enter a graduate program. The University of Southern California (USC) is considered to have the best physical therapy program in America, according to a ranking done by the U.S. News & World Report. USCs Division of Biokenisiology and Physical Therapy includes a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which aims to prepare you to become an autonomous practitioner capable of treating and evaluating a patient. Other programs you might want to consider at USC are orthopedic, neurologic and sports residency programs. Other schools that made it to the U.S. News list were the University of Pittsburgh Washington University in St. Louis, University of Iowa, Baylor University (US Army), which offers advanced studies with its doctoral physical therapy program, the New York University, and the MGH Institute of Health Professionals in Boston. When you embark on a school search, it would also help to check with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which is an organization that maintains a level of standard in physical therapy schools to make sure that students like you get the very best level of education. Depending on the region, the reported salary for physical therapists is $60,000. The fee goes up to $70,000 when you have achieved four to six years' experience and $86,000 if you have accumulated more than 16 years of practice. It also depends on the region. Forbes.Com estimates that the highest salaries for physical therapists are in the West, and the lowest in the Midwest. A reputable and accredited physical therapy school will arm you with the knowledge and skills you need to pass a licensing exam and eventually practice a lucrative career in physical therapy. But remember, fulfillment only comes when you actually love and enjoy what youre doing. Once you begin to look forward to going to work every day, only then will you be able to declare that youve got the best job in the world.

Physical Therapist Schools: Career Development Begins Here

Pain management is a tough battle when a patient is forced to deal with the condition by himself. A doctor can only do so much in terms of medication and possible procedures that can alleviate the daily struggle with excruciating pain. Physical therapy allows the patient to manage his condition to gain a better quality of life and achieve good health for the long haul. If you are interested in becoming a physical therapist, know that you will soon be making a difference in a

patients daily life. Physical therapist schools today provide a high quality of education to help you become a competent and licensed practitioner. Physical therapists are highly educated health care practitioners who are able to examine, diagnose, and treat patients of every age. As a therapist, you will be responsible for devising a plan tailored to a persons condition and present treatment techniques to help him regain the ability to move, restore function, and manage pain. All this is done without resorting to long-term prescription medication or costly surgery. Because you will basically be responsible for another human beings quality of life, it is absolutely necessary you acquire the required competencies to examine and treat people, just like a doctor. Every physical therapist begins with a bachelors degree in physical therapy. The program will provide you with foundational coursework and training. Youll be able to learn advanced theories and concepts. Youll learn anatomy, psychology, genetics, microbiology, athletic injury care, exercise physiology, chemistry, physics, and statistics, nutrition, and research methods, among many other topics. From here on, you are expected to take on a masters degree or clinical doctorate to pursue a professional career. If, for some reason, you are unable to move on to the next stage of your education, having a bachelors degree will allow you to become a physical therapy assistant. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), an organization that maintains a level of standard in physical therapy schools, advises graduates to consider getting an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) certification for eight specialties that include geriatrics, orthopedics, neurology, and sports. This will allow you to make further advancements in your career. So, dont just stop at studying in physical therapist schools. As a licensed physical therapist, youll be able to choose from a number of work environments or institutions. Youll be able to work in homes for the elderly, in-patient rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, fitness centers or sports training facilities, industrial workplaces, education or research centers, extended care facilities, schools, and hospices.

Get a Promising Career at Accredited PT Schools A physical therapist (PT) works with patients who have limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function resulting from injury, disease and other causes. These PTs provide services that help restore function, relieve pain, improve mobility and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. It is a challenging occupation that gives you the chance to be of service to numerous patients.

In order to become a physical therapist, you have to attend an accredited Physical Therapy school to get a degree in physical therapy. At times, applying for a physical therapy program is time-consuming. First, you have to determine whether you want a masters or doctorate degree in physical therapy. Next is to determine the location of the school where you would like to enroll and finish your degree. In choosing a physical therapy school, it is important to choose a program that is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. Becoming a physical therapist takes years of schooling, training and continued education, and it is offered in both state and private institutions. Selecting a good school can be instrumental in helping you prepare for and pass the physical therapy national licensing examination required in almost all states. It can be advantageous to have your training within the state that you plan to work in as the PT schools have a better knowledge of what is required to find work within their state. These schools may be able to help you contact physical therapists who can assist you with your required work experience. Career opportunity for physical therapists is expected to grow in the coming years and it was identified as an excellent career in 2006 by US News & World Report. Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow with the increase in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function. The growing elderly population is also now aware of the advantages of physical therapy which help sustain or increase their mobility and life enjoyment. Advances in the field of medicine lead to greater survival rate of trauma victims, of newborns with birth defects and treatment of additional disabling conditions will create demand for rehabilitation services. Indeed, continuing programs about health promotion are projected to increase demand for physical therapy services. Many employers are now asking physical therapists to evaluate work sites, develop exercise program for employees and teach safe work habits to employees, with the purpose of preventing or reducing working injuries. The most convenient means of finding the right physical therapy school is through the internet. Look for the PT programs available in each school and compare schools entrance requirements, coursework and school fees.