HEALTH OCCUPATION OF THE MONTH
Physical Therapist by Ashlee Much
October 03, 2007
Physical Therapy
Physical therapist often work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, home health agencies, rehabilitation center, adult daycare programs, schools or private companies. The work done in physical therapy includes the following lifting, bending, standing and other activities when working with patients. In physical therapy, they are trained to test and measure a patient’s motor ability, strength, coordination, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency. They encourage patients to complete many activities daily. Also physical therapists are trained to do treatment with equipment, exercises, massage, whirlpool baths, and other mediums while evaluating the success of all the therapy that is needed.
A physical therapist (PT’s) provides service that will help to restore function, prevent or limit physical disabilities of people suffering from either disease or injury, and to relieve pain. They are committed to restoring and marinating the overall fitness and health of their parents. Physical therapist should possess strong interpersonal skills in order to educate their patients about their therapy treatments. They should also be compassionate and show a strong desire to help the patient.
All PT’s are required to pass a licensure exam before they can practice; this is after they have graduated from an accredited physical therapist education program. In order to work in this field, you must have graduated with a masters or doctoral degree. The course work involves biology, chemistry, physics, as well as a specialized course of biomechanics, microanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, exam techniques, and therapy procedures.
This job could be physical demanding because the therapists have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for a long time. A PT also has to move heavy objects and lift patients, or help them turn, stand, and walk.
Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. In fact, a number of states require continuing education as a condition of maintaining licensure. PT’s should have strong interpersonal skills in order to be able to educate patients about their physical therapy treatments. Physical therapist should be compassionate and have a desire to help patients. Similar traits are also needed to interact with the patient’s family.
The wages a physical therapist earns are dependant on what kind of site they’re in. Median annual earnings of PT’s were $60,180 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,330 to $71,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,010 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,580. The industries employing the largest numbers of physical therapist in May 2004 were: home health care services, general medical and surgical hospitals and the offices of other health practitioner.
Employment of physical therapist is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapist. However, over the long run, the demand for physical therapist should continue to rise as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for therapy services. Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings, because the elderly receive the most treatment in these settings.
