NurseCareer Profile: Physical Therapist
Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy. Aging Baby Boomers are seeking more and more physical therapy services, making geriatric physical therapy an especially appealing specialization. Of course, there are many other ways to specialize, including sports therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and neurological, among many others.
Median Salary
$66,200
Education Requirements
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs in 2007. Of the accredited programs, 43 offered master’s degrees and 166 offered doctoral degrees. Only master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. In the future, a doctoral degree might be the required entry-level degree. Master’s degree programs typically last 2 years, and doctoral degree programs last 3 years.
Job Outlook
Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow 27 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapists. However, the long-run demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as new treatments and techniques expand the scope of physical therapy practices. Moreover, demand will be spurred by the increasing numbers of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy. Aging Baby Boomers are seeking more and more physical therapy services, making geriatric physical therapy an especially appealing specialization. Of course, there are many other ways to specialize, including sports therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and neurological, among many others.
Median Salary
$66,200
Education Requirements
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs in 2007. Of the accredited programs, 43 offered master’s degrees and 166 offered doctoral degrees. Only master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. In the future, a doctoral degree might be the required entry-level degree. Master’s degree programs typically last 2 years, and doctoral degree programs last 3 years.
Job Outlook
Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow 27 percent from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapists. However, the long-run demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as new treatments and techniques expand the scope of physical therapy practices. Moreover, demand will be spurred by the increasing numbers of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
Search Physical Therapist Jobs
Recent Jobs:
-
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Allegis Group, Inc. -
Nursing
Southern, Vermont Cedar Hill Continuing Care Com -
Executive Director
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania IntegraCare Corporation -
Nutrition Educator, Pediatrics
Boston, Massachusetts Joslin Diabetes Center -
Registered Nurse I PD
Providence, Rhode Island Rhode Island/Hasbro Hospital
Loading Jobs...Quiz: What's Your Healthcare Dream Job?
Healthcare is a vast and expanding industry. Choosing a career path can be confusing. Do you want a clinical or non-clinical job? Do you want to specialize, or work with a wide range of patients? Do you want hands-on experience or are you better on the administrative side? The choices are endless. So where do you belong? Find out now!Considering Healthcare Discussion
Interested in a healthcare career? Find the answers you need from those in the know. Get an insider's view from active healthcare professionals and other job-seekers. Visit the Considering Healthcare Forums where you can learn from and connect with people just like you. Should Physical Therapists Get Specialty Certifications?
When it comes to opening doors and opening eyes, specialty certification lets employers, colleagues and patients know that a physical therapist possesses advanced clinical skills in a particular area. But is it worth it? Essential Job-Hunting Information
Choose Your Own Adventure for job-seekers...
• The 10 Worst Job-Hunting Mistakes
Avoid these at all costs...
• Use AllHealthcare to Improve Your Job Search
Use our resources to jump-start your job search...
and more...
Physical Therapist Career Articles
• New Niches in Physical Therapy Practice
• VA Offers Unique Opportunities to Therapy Professionals
• Why Work at a Top Hospital
• 10 Tips for Nailing a Physical Therapy Interview
• A Day in the Life of a Physical Therapist
• 10 Best States for Healthcare Jobs
• Resume Tips for Physical Therapy Professionals
and more...
