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Final Paper: Physical Therapy
1. Introduction:
Physical Therapy is not only a job. It is a way of helping people become more confident
and physically able and psychologically stable. Physical therapists have to focus primarily on
helping the patient heal from a physical injury related to movement, but just as any good doctor
should, they have to keep in mind the holistic view of the body. People are more than a bag of
skin, bones, and muscles. They have brains, hearts, and souls. Physical therapists must take this
into account as they push the patient to be the best that they can be. They have to know how to
encourage the patient not to give up even when they think they cannot handle it anymore.
Throughout high school, I always found an interest in the field of physical therapy. I was
in a medical magnet program which gave me exposure to all kinds of medical careers. One of the
requirements for this program was to complete 200 hours of volunteering. I completed 100 of
these hours at a local physical therapy office where I fell in love with the field. I loved helping
the doctors encourage the patients to do the best that they could and not allow them to give up
hope. I also loved helping the doctors figure out ways to adjust each exercise for each patient’s
particular capabilities. I enjoyed every hour I spent there cleaning the equipment and giving kind
words of encouragement to the patients who simply wanted to give up. This experience
compelled me to continue in this field. I feel that I am perfect for this job because I love how
non-invasive the field is yet I can still help to heal people.
2. About the Profession:
According to Dr. Tim Miller and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA),
“Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages
with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and
perform functional activities in their daily lives” (Miller, 2015) . Physical Therapists work
towards bettering the patient and promoting their physical function, wellness and fitness, and
quality of life (Miller, 2015). Physical Therapy is a field that allows the doctor to treat a certain
type of patient. The patients have a physical disorder preventing them from moving properly.
This can be due to a disease or injury, but nevertheless, that patient needs the doctor’s help to
retrain the affected part of their body. For example, the therapist has to come up with exercises to
heal the area, massage the sore muscles, and help the patient stretch to loosen the muscles. The
therapist may choose to use hot/cold therapy or electrical stimulant machines as well to train the
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muscle in relaxing and contracting. Some conditions that may need the attention of a
physical therapist include diseases such as arthritis, COPD, back pain, and osteoporosis
along with many more. Injuries such as a fracture, burn or traumatic brain injury may
also require the aid of a physical therapist (Miller, 2015). According to APTA’s PT in
Motion News, Dr. Daniero sees a future field of physical therapy involving exercises to
strengthen the voice just as a baseball player would strengthen their shoulder (PT in
Motion News). Physical therapists can even use their knowledge in collaboration with
their hobbies and talents to do other things that might not be considered a normal aspect
of their scope of practice. Michael Konstalid is a PT in the Brooklyn school district who
focuses much of his time and energy into building chairs, desks, etc. for physically
disabled children to make their learning experiences better (CBS New York).
The route of physical therapy that I wish to pursue is a private practice. I plan to
graduate as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and gain some valid experience in a
group practice through networking during my observation time and graduate clinical
work. I plan to then open up my own practice and hire other Physical Therapists (PT) and
Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) to help me run my own business. I can see myself
becoming a business owner of my own private practice because I am a very diligent
person. When I set my mind on a goal, I overcome any and every obstacle in my path to
achieve it. I will specialize in sports medicine in hopes of attracting athletic injuries from
recreational teams, high school athletic teams, and local professional teams. I, also, want
to be sure to stay involved in the community through opening up my office to students for
shadowing and volunteering. This is an important aspect for me because I would love to
be a role model for other students and give them the opportunity to broaden their
horizons just as I did during my high school experience.
3. Requirements of the Profession:
Physical Therapy has recently become solely a doctorate degree. It requires hours
of hard work and commitment, but it will pay off in the end. During approximately four
years of undergraduate work, prospective students should earn a bachelor’s degree in a
field related to medicine. Good choices for this are athletic training, biology, biomedical
sciences, chemistry, or, the best one, health sciences. Each graduate school will have
different specific requirements for their program, but generally, they will require a GRE
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test, observation hours, references, and select coursework. That select coursework includes
Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Biology I & II, Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Psychology,
Statistics, and English Composition (Miller, 2015). The majority of graduate programs do not
have a required GPA posted, but instead, they will give an average of the previous class. This is
helpful because a student can have a rough semester which brings their GPA down, but that does
not mean that they are not a bright student. Also, if someone has outstanding grades, then their
social life may have been lacking which results in a lack of communication skills. Graduate
programs look for strong students with a well-rounded background that can show commitment to
something. They look for leadership skills as well. The University of South Florida (USF) is an
example of one school that does have a required GPA. The website for USF says, “The minimum
GPA required to apply to the DPT degree program is an overall minimum of 3.2 (out of 4.0) and
a minimum 3.2 (out of 4.0) in all upper division and all prerequisite courses…Admission to the
DPT Degree Program is highly selective and competitive. The DPT Class of 2016 averaged an
overall 3.65 GPA (USF Health, 2014).” Also, USF is one of few schools that does not require a
GRE score for entry to the DPT program (USF Health, 2014).
Physical Therapy school is a very competitive program. According to the University of
Florida (UF), “In 2013, [they] had over 700 applications [, and sought] to accept up to 70 new
students” (UF Health, 2015). This is a rising issue among prospective physical therapy students
across America. Students are trying harder and harder to make themselves more competitive than
the next candidate, but some are still not being accepted. Zach Hall PT, DPT of AT Still
University in Mesa, Arizona, advises students to “apply to as many [schools] as you feel you can
afford or want to go to (Hall, ppt).” He, also, advises students to apply to a variety of schools- in
state and out of state, private and public, large and small. According to Chris Collora, M.S. and
the Exercise Science Guide, some of the top 10 Physical Therapy schools in 2015 are University
of Southern California, Northwestern University, and University of Miami. I plan to apply to the
DPT programs at Northwestern University and University of Southern California as well a
variety of additional schools at different levels of prestige and competitiveness.
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Physical therapists are required to gain a licensure through the APTA following
graduation with their degree. The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) is required
by all states. Some states require an additional Jurisprudence Exam to ensure that the
physical therapist is aware of the particular laws and regulations of that particular state.
There are some particular states that will allow the student to take the NPTE before the
student has officially graduated, and each state has particular guidelines for this. Upon
graduating with my DPT, I plan to register myself for the NPTE. I will decide at that time
where the best location would be for me to live and find work, and I will apply to take the
Jurisprudence Exam if necessary according to that area. The NPTE Exam has options to
prepare such as online programs and books for purchase. These include study guides,
practice tests, and readings to benefit the knowledge of the PT student. Jurisprudence
Exam options also include study guides and books to inform the examinee about the laws
and requirements of that particular state. I plan to take and pass both of these exams as
soon as possible after graduation to ensure that I can find a job immediately and join a
practice. Both tests require the examinee to have completed an accredited DPT program.
Additionally, the examinee must be 18 years old and in compliance with the requirements
regarding how many times you are allowed to take the exam in comparison to how many
times you have already taken it. This varies upon state to state.
4. Continuing your Learning:
Continuing Education (CE) is a common requirement for many fields of
employment. Physical therapy is no exception. The American Physical Therapy
Association organizes conferences and workshops at a national level as well as state wide
conferences for physical therapists to gather from all over the country to hear speakers,
communicate their experiences, and present new findings in the physical therapy field.
They broaden their horizons and develop their experiences during this event. Assuming I
stay in the state of Florida, I plan to become a member of APTA as well as the Florida
Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) and attend their conferences after graduation as a
DPT. I expect to meet many other PTs from whom I can learn from at these events. Both
of these organizations are well-known and highly regarded by their members. Being a
member allows you to become part of a community of physical therapists who will help
you succeed in your career aspirations.
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Each state has different requirements set for continuing education about how many hours
per how many years. The majority of states require between 10-40 hours for every two year
period of licensing. The options for fulfilling this requirement vary from attending state and
national conferences and completing classes at an education center or through online
coursework. In addition, CPR and basic First-Aid certifications must be maintained. According
to the Florida Department of Health, “PTs and PTAs renew biennially on November 30th of odd
years and 24 contact hours [are required] within two-year licensure period for PTs and PTAs”
(Physical Therapy). In addition, they require “a one-hour HIV/AIDS course for first license
renewal and two hours on prevention of medical errors every renewal period [with the restriction
of] no more than 12 hours can be from home-study” (Physical Therapy). Although the technical
requirements vary, these are the typical guidelines to keep in mind regarding continuing
education.
5. Conclusion:
The path to becoming a physical therapist is a long and gruesome one. It requires an
extensive amount of research to pick a graduate school as well as consistent studying in order to
keep up with licensing and continuing education. I believe that I will be a successful physical
therapist in time. I have the diligence and perseverance to get me through the schooling and
testing requirements as well as the basic knowledge of the field to give me the hope and
motivation of what I can make of myself in the PT world. I am excited to pursue this career, and
I am prepared for how overwhelmed I am going to be when it comes to the finalizing of which
school to attend. I am prepared to complete the final two years of my undergraduate degree and
proceed to graduate school in order to fulfill my DPT requirement. I am thrilled to eventually
move on to opening my own personal practice and dictate the type of patients my team will treat.
I have always been the kind of girl who is a go-getter. I make a plan and a timeline of when I
will complete certain phases as I achieve my goal. The timeline graph I created is a helpful visual
of the mental timeline I have had throughout the process of determining my career. I have always
known what I want to do, and I do whatever it may take to reach my objective. I am ecstatic to
pursue this path and finish the mission I began.
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6. References
Arizona School of Health Sciences. (n.d.). Physical Therapy: Admission Statistics and
Requirements. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://www.atsu.edu/ashs/programs/physical_therapy/admission_requirements.htm
Belmont University. (2015, January 1). Admission Information. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://www.belmont.edu/pt/admissions/
Collora, Chris M.S. (2015). Web. Retrieved from http://www.exercise-science-
guide.com/blog/top-10-physical-therapy-schools/
Duke. (2015, January 1). Admissions Overview. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://dpt.duhs.duke.edu/Admissions/
Florida Gulf Coast University. (2015, January 1). Admissions Information. Retrieved April 17,
2015, from http://www.fgcu.edu/CHPSW/RS/PTDPT/admissions.asp
Hall, Zach. 12 Things You Should Know About Physical Therapy. [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved
from http://cas.wsu.edu/health/docs/PT-Application-Process.pptx
LSU Health. (2015, January 1). Prospective Students. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
https://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/pt/admissionrequirements.aspx
Midwestern University. (2015, January 1). Physical Therapy in Glendale. Retrieved April 17,
2015, from https://www.midwestern.edu/programs-and-admission/az-physical-
therapy.html
Miller, Tim. (Speaker). (2015). Move Toward a Physical Therapy Career: Overview for Pre-Pt
Students. HSC 2000 Introduction to Health Professions. Powerpoint retrieved from:
https://usflearn.instructure.com/courses/1021232/pages/physical-
therapy?module_item_id=8091911
Mission and Goals. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2015, from https://fpta.site-ym.com/
Northwestern Medicine. (n.d.). DPT Program. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/pthms/admissions/dpt/
Physical Therapist Turns Trash Into Special Furniture For Disabled Kids In Brooklyn. (2015,
April 20). CBS New York. Retrieved April 24, 2015, from
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/20/physical-therapist-turns-trash-into-special-
furniture-for-disabled-kids-in-brooklyn/
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Physical Therapy for Voice Problems? Absolutely, Says One Specialist. (2015, April 23). PT in
Motion News. Retrieved April 23, 2015, from
http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2015/4/23/PTForVoice/
Physical Therapy State CE Requirements | Continuing Education. (2015, January 1). Retrieved
April 20, 2015, from http://www.continuingeducation.com/physical-therapy/state-ce-
requirements
PTCAS. (2014, March 21). Program Profile: Northern Arizona State University. Retrieved April
17, 2015, from
http://www.ptcas.org/ptcas/public/Listing.aspx?seqn=999&navid=10737426784
Tennessee State University. (2015, April 6). Physical Therapy Admission Information. Retrieved
April 17, 2015, from http://www.tnstate.edu/pt/admission.aspx
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 20,
2015, from https://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates/NationalExam(NPTE).aspx
UF Health. (2015, April 17). DPT Admissions. Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://pt.phhp.ufl.edu/dpt-program/admissions/
University of Connecticut. (2014, September 15). DPT Program Overview. Retrieved April 17,
2015, from http://pt.kins.uconn.edu/dpt-overview/
University of Maryland College of Medicine. (2015, January 1). Entry-Level DPT Admission
Deadlines. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://pt.umaryland.edu/pros_dpt_admissions.asp
University of Southern California. (n.d.). Admission. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://pt.usc.edu/Education/Admission/
USF Health. (2014, March 10). Entry-Level DPT Admissions. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
http://health.usf.edu/medicine/dpt/education/entry-level-dpt.htm
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PROJECT DETAILS
DATE MILESTONE POSITION
4/24/2015 Turn in Final Paper 25
5/10/2015 Study Abroad: Italy 10
6/26/2015 Return to USA -10
7/1/2015 Begin shadowing PT 15
03/08/2015 First GRE Attempt
8/20/2015 Last Day Shadowing -15
8/21/2015 Move into Apartment 15
9/1/2015 Begin shadowing PT -15
1/1/2016 Begin attempting GRE 15
2/1/2016 Begin Personal Statement Essay -20
3/31/2016 Finish Personal Statement Essay 20
4/1/2016 Request Recommendation Letters -15
5/30/2016 Collect Recommendation Letters 15
6/1/2016 Finalize Materials
7/1/2016 All Applications Open
10/1/2016 NWU, TSU, LSU App Due
10/15/2016 Univ. MD App Due
11/1/2016 UF App Due
11/2/2016 Duke App Due
11/3/2016 Northern AZ Univ. App Due
11/15/2016 USF App Due
12/1/2016 Univ. S. Cali App Due
12/15/2016 Midwestern App Due
12/16/2016 FGCU App Due
1/15/2017 UCONN App Due
1/16/2017 AT Stills App Due
2/1/2017 Belmont App Due
2/1/2017 Begin Interview Process
8/1/2017 Graduate Bachelor's Degree
8/20/2017 Begin DPT Program
7/30/2020 Graduate DPT Program
8/1/2020 Apply for State Licensure Exam
9/1/2020 Search for Group Practice Position
1/1/2023 Open my own Practice
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