Career Research Report: Physical Therapist
[Thanks to AS for sharing career research on becoming a physical therapist.]
Several years ago, I settled into a career that is known to be both rewarding and provide financial stability. My future felt secure and I was happy with the direction I was headed.
However as I matured, my lifestyle and values changed to the point where my career no longer provided me with the fulfillment. Being sensitive of my situation, my wife, who was eager to help me find happiness, persuaded me to go back to school and continue my education.
Together we looked at my current lifestyle, interests, financial requirements and future demands of various industries to find me a new career. After some careful consideration, we stumbled across physical therapy.
Sometime around November 2008, I was training heavily to run my first marathon when a knee injury put me on crutches. Being a do-it-yourselfer and somewhat stubborn, I resisted seeing a doctor and dealt with the pain.
I looked up my symptoms online and crossed referenced with several different websites, performed some suggested tests and diagnosed myself with Illiotibial Band Syndrome, a tendonitis of a long tendon stretching from the pelvis to the tibia.
After many hours of researching my ailment, I learned that there is no cure for the problem, and it will only go away with rest, icing, anti-inflammatories and therapy. In a rush to recover so I can run again, I looked up every therapeutic procedure for IT Band syndrome and began my self treatment.
I eventually recovered to run the marathon, and in the process I gained a wealth of knowledge on IT Band syndrome. My wife, who was extremely impressed with my perseverance and newfound medical knowledge, suggested that I switch careers to physical therapy. I never gave it a thought before, but she was right.
Physical therapy would satisfy my desire to help others, interest in fitness as well as medicine, and provide my days with a feeling of accomplishment.
Job Description
Physical therapy is an important job that requires patience and knowledge. On a daily basis, a PT will assess a patient’s condition, test their strength and design a program to help speed up the healing process so that the patient can go back to their normal life.
PTs are involved in the physical aspect of patient rehabilitation as well, assisting with stretches, controlling motions, providing resistance in exercises and observing the patient throughout exercise routines.
Keeping your patients motivated through constructive criticism and positive reinforcement is another key aspect of the job. A physical therapist must be a “people person,” for the job requires a great deal of physical contact and verbal communication. Keeping the patient motivated and lifting their spirits is important.
The PT must be in tune with their patient’s tolerance and signs of pain to maximize the benefits of therapy while minimizing discomfort.
Aside from patient relations, PTs must write, process and organize a great deal of paperwork in keeping proper medical records.
Work Environment
Physical therapists generally work in hospitals, clinics or private practices. The work environment is very clean, well lit and full of various equipment such as treadmills, whirlpools, ultrasound units and resistance machines.
Such an environment would be a welcome change from my current career, where I am surrounded by harmful chemicals, heavy machinery and general filth in a dark dungeoneous shop.
Earnings
Salary ranges for physical therapists vary greatly depending on location, experience and level of education.
An entry level PT in the San Francisco Bay Area with a bachelor’s degree can expect approximately 60K. Not too bad for an entry level career.
However, with therapists in demand and competition within the field, the more desirable PT jobs are being filled by applicants with master’s degrees. This holds true especially in thriving economic markets, such as the Bay Area.
After approximately 5 years in a position, a PT with a Master’s degree can expect $75K. Some clinics are paying top therapists over $100k.
Positions are available to applicants with bachelor’s degrees in other markets such as the Sacramento Valley; however, the salary is much lower, averaging near $50k.
Education and Training
Physical therapy schools are available with 6 month programs to get certified. However, in order to succeed in this career, one must pursue a master’s degree in physiology prior to receiving state licensing.
Gaining work experience as a PT assistant is also recommended and can lead to higher pay at an entry level. PT Assistants can expect approximately $20/hour working part-time.
As I continue to pursue my educational goals to switch careers to physical therapy, the time will come where I must begin to gain experience while working as an assistant. This seems somewhat of a challenge for my financial obligations will not allow for working only one part-time job. To handle this situation, I am contemplating working part-time as a personal trainer and a PT assistant.
According to an informational interview I conducted with a personal trainer, there are programs available for those interested in exercise rehabilitation by gaining a certification as an Injury Prevention Specialist. Working as a trainer with this certificate will provide the additional income, flexibility and work experience needed while working part-time as a therapist’s assistant. Also, I believe that this certification and work experience can benefit me when applying for a top position as a PT.
Reflection
After researching this career, I am pleased with the salary and job description. However, I was unaware of the competition within the field and educational requirements to guarantee success. I was not aware of the need for a master’s degree and am slightly disappointed in the time needed for schooling, but fortunately, I am already working in an acceptable career that is satisfying my financial needs. While I am eager to change careers and see the extra schooling as an undesirable circumstance, I must realize that two more years is well worth the lifetime of fulfillment I can benefit from it.
Aside from my own experience with physical therapy while rehabilitating my knee, I have witnessed first-hand the importance of this career.
Several months ago, my 4-year-old miniature dachshund suffered a ruptured disk and underwent emergency back surgery to release pressure from her spinal cord. While the surgery was successful, her spinal cord was damaged from lack of blood flow and left her paralyzed. Slowly over the next few days she began to regain some movement but was unable to walk.
After several physical therapy sessions, two months of rest and controlled movement/low resistance exercises at home, she is now able to walk and has regained strength in her hind quarters. I am elated that my dog is on the road to a near-full recovery and have gained a deep respect for the job of a PT.
Physical therapists are in demand, and the industry is expected to grow throughout the next eight years. This career can offer a fulfilling day of work and financial stability for a lifetime.
I feel that I would be a good physical therapist and am eager to change my career while making an impact on the lives of others. I will continue my pursuit for fulfillment and continue my education on the road to becoming a physical therapist.
Resources
- payscale.com
- physical therapist informational interview
- physicaltherapy.about.com
- pt.sfsu.edu
- sfbayarea.craigslist.com