1. S A R A H P A D G E T T
H L T H 4 1 9 0
Research On Career:
Physical Therapist
Dynamic core physical therapy. http://www.dynamiccorept.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery-pro/
iStock_000014043310Small.jpg

2. Introduction
 Goal of Physical Therapy
 Help injured or ill people improve their movement and
manage their pain
 Rehabilitation and treatment
 Physical Therapist Duties
 Review medical history and referrals from doctors
 Observe and diagnose dysfunctional movements
 Plan for care with expectations of outcomes
 Use exercises, stretching, hands-on therapy, and equipment
 Evaluate progress and modify plan
 Educate patients
Summary. (2014, January 8). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/
physical-therapists.htm#tab-2

3. History of Physical Therapy
 Army Reconstruction Aides
 These were the first named rehabilitation professionals.
 ARAs provided care to injured veterans following WWI.
 They were mostly women with backgrounds in physical education that
received training from physicians and nurses.
 The educational program of the time covered massage and muscle re-
education over a period of 3 months.
 The American Medical Association stepped in to direct the
education of Physical Therapists from 1928-1977.
 Physical Therapy came about as a profession during the polio
epidemic, which lasted until the vaccine ended it in 1956.
 In the 1960s, Medicare and Medicaid began funding
rehabilitation, which added a demand for qualified
professionals in the field.
 The Physical Therapy Assistant position was also developed during this
time.
The History of Physical Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.mrhme.org/
getpage.php?name=rehabhistory

4. History of American Physical Therapy Association
 American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association
 This was the first professional association for physical therapists
formed in the United States 1921.
 The association changed its name in 1922 to the American
Physiotherapy Association.
 The APA introduced its first “Code of Ethics” in the 1930s, and men
were also admitted.
 American Physical Therapy Association
 The APA became the APTA.
 Its first office was opened in the 1940s in New York city.
 Sections were created to promote and develop a specific set of
objectives for the profession of physical therapy.
 The current goal of the APTA is to “foster advancements in physical
therapy practice, research, and education.”
APTA History. (2014, August 24). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.apta.org/History/

5. Conditions Treated by Physical Therapists
 Conditions treated by Physical Therapists include, but
are not limited to:
 Arthritis
 Back pain
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 Developmental Delays
 Dislocations
 Fractures
 Hand injuries
 Osteoporosis
 Pelvic Pain
 Sports Injuries
 Stroke
 Traumatic Brain Injury
Physical Therapist (PT) Careers Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://
www.apta.org/PTCareers/Overview/

6. Practice Settings
 Rehabilitation Hospital
 Extended Care Facility/Nursing Home
 Outpatient Clinic
 School/Preschool
 Wellness/Prevention/Sports/Fitness
 Home Health
 Hospice
 Occupational Environments
 Government Facilities
 Research Center
Physical Therapist (PT) Careers Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.apta.org/
PTCareers/Overview/

7. Growth Potential
(n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://img.icbdr.com/images/talentnetwork/ptblschart.jpg

8. Growth Potential
 Physical therapy has been named one of the “career
paths with the strongest recent growth and most
potential for expansion in the future.”
 Rates of increase are surpassing registered nurses and
database administrators.
 5th Strongest-growth Professionals
 Ranked by Forbes magazine
 Studies have shown that the PT workforce will
increase by about 13% from 2013-2017.
Physical Therapy Named a 'Top Job' for 2014. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.apta.org/
PTinMotion/NewsNow/2013/12/17/ForbesMagPTJobs/

9. Salary Range
 Bureau of Labor Statistics National Estimates
 Employment – 195,670
 Mean hourly wage – $39.51
 Mean annual wage – $82,180
29-1123 Physical Therapists. (2014, April 1). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://
www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291123.htm

10. Undergraduate Coursework
 Chemistry with labs
 Biology with labs
 Physics with labs
 Human anatomy and physiology
 General psychology
 Abnormal psychology
 Statistics
Admissions Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://
academicdepartments.musc.edu/chp/pt/admissions.htm

11. Graduate Program
 3-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program
 Content areas include biology/anatomy, cellular histology,
physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology,
neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences,
communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance,
sociology, etc.
 80% of curriculum comprises classroom and lab study
 20% dedicated to clinical education (about 27.5 weeks clinical
experience)
Physical Therapist (PT) Education Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.apta.org/
For_Prospective_Students/PT_Education/Physical_Therapist_(PT)_Education_Overview.aspx

12. Skills and Qualities
 Physical Skills
 Includes bending, lifting, applying resistance, coordination,
balance, strength, agility, manual dexterity, visual observing,
responding quickly, hearing, detecting odors, etc.
 Cognitive/Behavioral Skills
 Includes collecting and integrating data, handling emotional
stress, reading and comprehending patient information,
prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, social interaction,
abiding by policies and procedures, providing assistance,
communicating effectively, portraying professional behavior,
etc.
Essential Skills Required. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://
www.ccri.edu/rehabhealth/phta/ess_skills.html

13. O*Net Interest Profiler
 Social
 Investigative
 Realistic
 Conventional
 Artistic
 Enterprising
According to the O*Net Interest Profiler, some of my strongest
characteristics include being a helper, motivating, a feeler, empathetic,
close, a thinker, intelligent, logical, challenging, action-taker, sensible,
and hands-on. These are skills that would allow me to thrive in a career
in physical therapy on a cognitive/behavioral level. I believe that I would
be nurturing but motivated to improve the health of patients. I also live
an active lifestyle and have many of the physical skills required of a
physical therapist.

14. Conclusion
 Physical Therapy is a rapidly growing career field that is
projected to create many more jobs in the next few years.
 Physical Therapists treat a wide range of conditions.
 The purpose of Physical Therapy is to provide care to
patients in order to improve mobility and manage pain.
 This creates a better quality of life.
 The average yearly salary for a Physical Therapist is
$82,180.
 Problem solving and logic are important skills in figuring
out ways to improve mobility and manage pain.
 Social skills are necessary for a Physical Therapist to
interact with patients in order to make them feel
comfortable and capable.