Building a Career in Physical Therapy
Having a career in physical therapy can be a challenging one. The patient base is a wide one, covering people from different age groups, varying lifestyles, and other differences. Being a physical therapist can be a fulfilling job because the general aim is to make the patients lives better. It involves being hands on in administering the treatment plan, so aspiring physical therapists must enjoy working with people as they evaluate, diagnose, and treat disorders mostly of the musculoskeletal system.
There are three options available to those who want to have a career in this field of study. One can be a physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant, or a physical therapist aide. Apart from the difference in responsibilities, their educational and licensing requirements vary for each of the career path.
Physical therapists are the ones that develop treatment plans for the patients and oversee that these plans are carried out until the goals are met. These treatment plans focus on restoring function, improving mobility, relieving pain, and preventing or limiting permanent physical disabilities.
A typical day of a physical therapist includes examining patients medical histories; testing and measuring the patients strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function; determining patients ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness; and developing treatment plans and explaining the strategy, purpose, and anticipated outcome to patients.
Being a physical therapist requires that one has earned a masters degree or doctorate degree in the field of study. Coursework includes biology, chemistry, physics, biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. After which, a licensing exam must be passed in order for him to be a licensed practicing physical therapist.
Physical therapist assistants are those that work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They are the ones that carry out the treatment plan according to what the physical therapist developed for the patient. They perform the all or a combination of the following on patients: exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound.
Being a physical therapist assistant requires that one has earned an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. The coverage of study that a physical therapist assistant student has to learn includes algebra, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology. Together with this curriculum is immersing oneself in clinical fieldwork and having a certification in CPR and other first aid.
Physical therapist aides are those that work under the direction and supervision of both the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant. They are the ones responsible in maintaining the therapy areas clean and organized. They are the ones that prepare and assist the patients to and from the treatment areas. Being a physical therapist aide requires that one has earned at least a high school diploma or GED, from which they receive their on-the-job training.
In the world of physical therapy, as in other medical fields, helping people is what drives these physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy aides to do their duties to the best of their abilities. The welfare of these patients is in their hands, literally.
So if you are thinking about entering this arena, you must prepare yourself for the challenging tasks ahead of you.