Physical Therapists

1. Physical Therapists Created by Madeline Brass Feb 3, 2011 B2

2. Job Description Definition – “Treatment with physical agents (Krumhansl17).” Physical therapists, also known as PT’s, help people who have a health condition or injury that affects their ability to move. Some of these injuries include: sprains, strains, fractures, back injuries, and neck injuries (Physical Therapists). The goal of the physical therapist is to improve how the patient functions. After the PT has examined the injury, they create a plan. This treatment help enable their ability to move and fixes their health condition or problem. The physical therapist records the effects of the treatment. If the physical therapist’s goal is reached, the physical therapist gives the patient a treatment to carry on by them self. If not, the physical therapist continues to adjust the treatment. Not only do physical therapist help injured patients, but they prevent other patients from getting injuries. The physical therapist develops a fitness plan or treatment for a person to prevent any injuries.

3. Education The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) has created physical therapy programs for college students. Most of these programs are doctoral degree programs. Some of them are master degree programs. In order to obtain a doctoral degree, and physical therapist must go to college for three more years after their bachelor. For a masters degree, it is 2 years (Physical Therapist). Most of the classes a student must are clinically based courses, such as: biology, neuroscience, and anatomy. Other courses a student should take are clinically based courses, such as: diagnostic management and examination tests.

4. Schools Schools in Virginia Schools in the USA The top 5 schools in the nation for physical therapy are: University of Southern California, University of Pittsburg, Wahington University in St. Louis, University of Delaware, and University of Iowa (Physical Therapy). Some of the best schools to attend in Virginia for physical therapy are: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Shenendoah University, Marymount University, and Hamton University (Physical Therapists) .

5. Salary The average physical therapist in the nations makes $77,990 a year. In Virginia the average is very close at $79,837.72. Whereas in Hampton Roads, the average salary is only $71,894.01 (Physical Therapists).

6. Job Outlook/Availability There are approximately 185,500 physical therapists in the nation. The physicals therapist are found mostly in hospital, nursing, and orthopedic settings. Many elderly people are a patients in these setting, because they are more prone to health conditions that are chronic. This makes elderly people their prime patients. Because of the recent, “Baby Boom,” more people will fall into the elderly category, creating more patients. When there are more patients, more physical therapists are needed. This will result in an increase of about 30% in the nation, opening up 56, 200 more jobs for physical therapists by 2018 (Physical Therapists). Some related occupations include: audiologist, chiropractors, occupational therapists, and recreational therapist.

7. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Confucius (Quote DB)

8. Work Cited Krumhansl, Bernice. Opportunities in Physical Therapy Careers. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Print. "Physical Therapists." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web. 03 Feb. 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm>. "Physical Therapists." Virginia Career VIEW. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.vaview.vt.edu/careers/career/29-1123.00>. "Physical Therapy." Best Programs. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. <http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings>. "Quote DB." Famous Quotes at QuoteDB - Interactive Database of Famous Quotations. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/1483>. Images courtesy of clip art