2. A little overview.
Physical therapists play an important role in today’s healthcare system.They are
recognized as vital providers of rehabilitation, habilitation, prevention, and risk-
reduction services.These health care professionals work with patients of all ages to
maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and health, enabling these
individuals to have optimal functioning and quality of life, all the while ensuring their
safety and applying scientific evidence to provide efficient and effective care. Physical
therapy is often considered a safe, meaningful, and positive alternative to surgery and
pharmaceutical treatment. A career in this profession is increasingly one of the most
desirable careers in the health care field in the nation.
3. History of the profession.
The development and implementation of today’s common practices of using exercise,
massage, heat, cold, water, and electricity, as means of rehabilitation date back to
Greek culture and Hippocrates’ influence as the father ofWestern medicine
Between the 15 and 1700s in Europe, the use of exercise to treat bone and muscle
diseases continued to evolve and progress. By the 1800s, exercise and muscle ‘re-
education’ were being used to treat all sorts of orthopedic diseases and injuries.
The polio epidemic in the United States (1916) played a crucial role in the evolution of
the profession.The need for restoring muscle function and muscle re-education and
grew dramatically.
AfterWorldWar I, there was an increased demand for health professionals who could
help rehabilitate wounded and injured soldiers
4. History continued.
The year 1917 marks the official beginning of the profession. After enteringWWI, the Army
recognized the need to rehabilitate injured soldiers.Thus, a special unit of theArmy
Medical Department, the “Division of Special Hospitals and Physical Reconstruction,”
developed 15 “reconstruction aide” training programs to respond to the need for medical
workers with expertise in physical rehabilitation.
Physical therapy education saw the continued development of educational programs from
the initial programs at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, andWalter Reed Hospital.The
graduates of these ‘reconstruction aide’ programs were graduate nurses and physical
education persons.The development of these reconstruction during the period 1914 to
1917 laid the basis for the profession we now know as physical therapy.
TheAmerican PhysicalTherapyAssociation was then established in 1921.
The profession gained more and more recognition and professionals thrived continuing to
treat polio patients as well as injuredWWII soldiers.
Physical therapy education saw the development of the first standards for accreditation
for physical therapy education programs in 1928.
5. More recently.
With a continuous increased need for physical therapy, the APTA recognized the need
to educate more physical therapists.The ‘schools section’ of the APTA made
recommendations about admissions, curricula, education, and administration of
physical therapy programs, and encouraged more universities and medical schools to
create programs and expand existing programs, including creating opportunities for
graduate-level education.
By 1950 there were 31 accredited schools, 19 offering bachelor’s degree programs and 8
offering post-baccalaureate certification
Licensure and the first national examination were established by the end of the 1950s
Numerous developments and improvements in schooling and accreditation programs
as well as technological advances and new methodologies in treatment took place
between the 1950s and the 2000s.
In the midst of the 21st century, regardless of complications with health care policy
changes and fluctuations in the economy and job market and such, the role of the
physical therapist in contributing to the health and well-being of members of society
remains vital.The profession has continued to grow substantially and has become one
of the most desired occupations in the nation.
6. What is physical therapy ?
Wrist/hand conditions
Hip problems
Postsurgical rehabilitation
Injury rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation
Balance issues
Burn rehabilitation
Physical therapy can defined as ‘ the treatment or management of physical disabilities, malfunction, or pain
by exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, etc., without the use of surgery or pharmaceuticals.”
Physical therapy is generally provided by therapists and therapist assistants.
Depending on the clinical setting, PTs
can offer treatment for the following:
Back conditions
Knee problems
Shoulder/arm conditions
Neck problems
Sprains and muscle strains
Ankle/foot problems
7. Growth potential.
Based on a recent study by Career Builder and Economic Modeling Specialists Inc.,
physical therapists are the fifth strongest-growth professionals in the United States.
The Career Builder study projects that the U.S. workforce will grow by 4.4% from
2013-2017, and estimates that the PT workforce will increase by 13% during that time.
The demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as a result of growth in the
number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.
The rapidly growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and
debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services.
For example, the ‘baby boomer’ generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and
strokes, increasing the need for cardiac and physical rehabilitation.
8. Salary range. This chart provides a comparison between
average salaries of professions similar to
physical therapy.
An individual’s salary in this profession (or
really any profession) is going to vary based
on a few things:
Geographical region
Education status
Years of experience
Area of specialty
The average annual salary for an individual
in this field in the United States is
somewhere around $70,000.
Best paid employees making closer to $90-
95,000 annually
According to US News, the highest paying
salaries went to PTs working in schools, home
care, and nursing home facilities
Lower paid employees making somewhere
closer $60-65,000 annually
http://www1.salary.com/Physical-Therapist-Salary.html
This website allows for a search of average salary ranges in the
physical therapy profession with options to narrow the search
down based on some of the criteria previously listed.
http://www.onwardhealthcare.com/Physical-Therapy-Jobs/Is-Physical-Therapy-A-Good-Career/
9. Getting there:
Relevant academics and experience
According to the American PhysicalTherapy Association, there are a number of steps
one must consider when thinking about pursuing a career in physical therapy
regarding education and experience .
College major
In order to be eligible for admission to a
PT program, individuals are not required
to select any specific major.That being
said, it is important to consider how one
will satisfactorily complete the
prerequisite courses for his/her
anticipated PT programs in addition to
the college/university's degree and major
requirements. The most common
undergraduate majors among PT
students include exercise science,
biology, kinesiology, and psychology.
Prerequisites
The course prerequisites for admission vary significantly
across PT education programs. It is important to
research such requirements early in the college student
career to allow for adequate time for their successful
completion.The most commonly required course
prerequisites are below:
Anatomy and Physiology
I & II (with labs)
Biology I & II
(with labs)
Advanced Biology
(cell, genetics, histology,
immunology, etc.)
Chemistry
I & II (with labs)
Physics I & II (with labs)
Psychology
Statistics
Advanced Psychology
(developmental, abnormal,
etc.)
English Composition
10. Getting there:
Other requirements
Minimum GPA: Most PT programs have minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements that vary
by institution.
The average overall undergraduate GPA for accepted PTCAS applicants in 2011-12 was a 3.52
GRE - Most PT programs require applicants to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Programs may have minimum acceptable scores and last acceptable test dates. Policies regarding
consideration of multiple sets of GRE scores vary by institution.
Physical Therapy Volunteer Experience - Many programs require applicants to have a certain number
of volunteer or paid PT experiences working with patients under the supervision of a licensed
therapist.
Applicants may also be required to have a licensed physical therapist verify the hours.
References - Many physical therapist programs require 1-4 letters of reference (also known as
"letters of evaluation" or "recommendations") as part of the admissions process.
Interviews - PT programs may require competitive applicants to visit the campus for an interview.
The interview format varies by institution. Applicants may be required to speak with a single faculty
member, a student, a physical therapist, or a panel of interviewers; or participate in an orientation
program.
11. A helpful tool.
The PhysicalTherapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) allows PT applicants
to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT
education programs.The link is provided below.
http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx
12. About myself.
In 2007, I injured my left knee in a soccer game and as a result, had to attend six months of
physical therapy. I received my care at Moore’s Orthopedic, an amazing orthopedic clinic
outside of Columbia, SC. Being in such a helpful, uplifting, and encouraging medical
environment for half a year sparked my interest in the field of physical therapy. My senior year
of high school, I returned to Moore’s to take part in an internship program. I worked mainly in
the pediatric therapy department, but also got some experience working in casting and the
adult departments. After a semester at Moore’s, I knew that that was what I wanted to do with
my life.
My interest in this career path was furthered when it was my father who had to receive
treatment. He broke his neck when he was 26, and as he grew older, his mild handicap began
taking a bigger and bigger toll on his body. In 2009, he fractured his hip which essentially led to
countless leg, hip, and spinal issues. He has been in and out of PT treatments ever since. In the
last four to five years, I have seen not only physical improvements in my fathers health, but
psychological improvements as well. Not only is he feeling better physically, but his attitude
about life is much more positive. I can’t help but attribute these improvements to the amazing
PT treatment he is receiving.
While working in the pediatric department at Moore’s, part of my duty was to sit in on
diagnostic appointments and then work with the patients throughout their treatment. It’s hard
to explain the amazing rewarding feeling that comes with seeing improvements in the patient’s
health – I got to see it in my patients and in my father.
I know that this is what I want to do with my life. I want to help people.
http://www.gmka.com/pages/portfolio/detail.aspx?id=165
13. What makes me a good candidate:
O*NET Profile
The Program
The O*NET Interest Profiler is a
tool used to discover personal
interests as they relate to the
world of work.
It involves a series of question s
that represent specific interest
areas.
Based on my scores, my
work-related interest areas are
follows:
Investigative (23)
Social (22)
Artistic (6)
My interests Explained
Investigative occupations frequently involve
working with ideas, and require an extensive
amount of thinking. These occupations can
involve searching for facts and figuring out
problems mentally.
Social occupations frequently involve working
with, communicating with, and teaching people.
These occupations often involve helping or
providing service to others.
Artistic occupations frequently involve working
with forms, designs and patterns. They often
require self-expression and the work can be done
without following a clear set of rules.
14. What makes me a good candidate:
Interests applied
Investigative.
Occupations in this interest area tend
require coming up with and working
new ideas. Critical thinking and
solving are also integral aspects. This
interest area can easily be applied to
field of physical therapy.
normal body movements and
as well as coming up with treatment
plans in order to rehabilitate disturbed
normal functioning of the body, are
physical therapy is all about. The way
body works is incredibly interesting to
me, and I look forward to furthering
knowledge base in that area as I
continue my pre-professional
Social.
Occupations in this interest area have
to do with working and interacting
with people on a regular basis. This
area can also e easily applied to the
field of physical therapy because it is
exactly that – working with and
alongside people of all ages with all
kinds of injuries, conditions, and
issues regarding normal bodily
functioning. I enjoy working with
people, but more importantly, as far
as my career aspirations, I want to
help people. Physical therapy would
be the perfect occupation for me to
fully engage in a field I am interested
in, as well as help others improve
their quality of life through
rehabilitation.
15. What’s next for me?
Some of the PT programs I am
interested in:
Dream programs:
UNCChapel Hill
University of Southern California
NYU
University of Iowa
More realistic:
University of South Carolina
MUSC
University of Kentucky
University ofTennessee
Below is a link to the US News’ top rated PT
program schools
http://grad-
schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/bes
t-graduate-schools/top-health-
schools/physical-therapy-rankings
16. Conclusion.
The practice of physical therapy (while it has not always been called by that name) has been around
for ages. Humans have been and always will be in need of rehabilitation care because, well, we are
humans – accidents, injuries, medical conditions…they happen.
Most peoples’ aspirations for their dream career often have to do with the money, the salary, and
while that does play an important part in my career choice, it is certainly not the most important
part.
Anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology – really anything regarding the human body – has always
been fascinating to me. A career that allows me to study, learn, and eventually teach and help others
understand their body and how it’s supposed to work is really what is winning me over.
My short experience actually working in the field as well as witnessing the success my father has had
with rehabilitation treatment has made me realize how badly I really do want to pursue a career as a
physical therapist. I want to help people!
As for now, I am actively looking into PT programs and working hard to finish up my education here
at Clemson so I can take that next step towards succeeding in this profession!
17. Sources.
History
http://www.network-
synergy.com/news/the-history-
of-physical-therapy.aspx
http://www.apta.org/uploaded
Files/APTAorg/Practice_and_P
atient_Care/PR_and_Marketin
g/Market_to_Professionals/Tod
aysPhysicalTherapist.pdf
http://www.ncope.org/summit/
pdf/PTEducationTimeLine.pdf
Salary
http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-
jobs/physical-therapist
http://www1.salary.com/Physical-
Therapist-Salary.html
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/J
ob=Physical_Therapist_%28PT%29/Sala
ry
http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-
jobs/physical-therapist/salary
Definition
http://www.jblearning.com/sample
s/0763740691/40691_CH01_FINAL.
pdf
http://www.studentscholarships.or
g/salary/359/physical_therapists.ph
p
Growth potential
http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/NewsNo
w/2013/12/17/ForbesMagPTJobs/
https://www.riapta.com/content/job_prosp
ects_and_future_growth.asp
PT Schools and Application Process
http://www.apta.org/ProspectiveStuden
ts/Admissions/PTProcess/
