Hunter Fant is a student at Clemson University who hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy. Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients with mobility issues to improve movement. They work in various settings like hospitals, clinics, and homes. The career offers a good work-life balance and opportunities to help others. Physical therapy is a growing field with expected 36% job growth over the next decade and median pay of $81,030. Hunter has researched physical therapy programs and plans to apply to the Medical University of South Carolina program.

1. H U N T E R F A N T
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A Career in
Physical Therapy

2. Introduction
Upon graduation from
Clemson University, I hope to
pursue a career as a physical
therapist. I have always been
interested in physical therapy
and believe that I have many of
the characteristics and abilities
needed to be successful in this
profession.

3. What is a Physical Therapist?
 Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated health care
professional who diagnose and treat individuals with
medical problems that limit their abilities to move and
perform daily life activities
 Physical therapists improve and restore patients’
mobility
 In many cases, physical therapists improve movement
without expensive surgery and often reduce the need for
long-term use of prescription medications (and their side
effects)
 Physical therapists educate patients on how to prevent or
manage their conditions so they will achieve long-term
health benefits
*American Physical Therapy Association

4. Why Physical Therapy?
1. Work with patients one-on-one and have a chance to make
a difference
2. Fast-paced job with an enjoyable, energetic environment
3. Maintain a balanced personal vs. work lifestyle
4. Experiment with new technology and research
5. Use career to educate others
6. Detect and treat diseases/disabilities in patients
7. Be able to use your own creative ideas with your work
8. Be the boss of your own practice
9. Diverse areas of physical therapy
* Physical therapists report one of the highest job satisfaction
levels in the country
*American Physical Therapy Association

5. History Overview
 The history of physical therapy can be traced back to major
events in the early 1900’s. In 1916, polio (a disease affecting
motor skills) became widespread across the United States. With
everyone struggling to fight this disease and researchers trying
to learn more about it, muscle testing and re-education became a
necessary. These developments lead to the field of physical
therapy.
 Also, in an effort to treat wounded warriors in World War I,
programs were created which were later known as physical
therapy.
 World War II was another time of development in the field of
physical therapy. There were more soldiers coming back to the
US injured from war and as a result, there was a greater demand
for medical care. Congress’ Hill Burton Act was passed in 1946
which increased the number of hospitals in the United States by
almost threefold. This lead to an increase in the number of
practicing physical therapists.
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ure_and_dislocation_of_humerous_

6. Salary and Job Growth Statistics
 Median pay in 2013: $81,030
 The best-paid 10 percent made $113,340, while the bottom
10 percent made $56,280.
 The highest wages go to physical therapists working in
schools, home health care, or nursing care facilities.
 Entry level education: Doctoral or professional
degree
 Projected 10-year growth from 2013 to
2023: 36%
*US News and World Report: Money

7. Where do Physical Therapists Work?
 Acute care
 Usually in a hospital for short-term patient
care
 Outpatient clinic
 Extended care facility
 Example: nursing home
 Rehabilitation hospital
 School
 Wellness, prevention, sports, and fitness
centers
 Home health
 Physical therapy is provided in the patient's
place of residence
https://www.oxfordphysicaltherapy.com/sites/defau
lt/files/styles/new-page-
large/public/Chris%20Treatment%20Pic.jpg?itok=E
AtcYXZB
http://www.nacmem.org/newphotos/BomarFemale
PatientWalkingDownHallwithAssistance.jpg*American Physical Therapy Association

8. Skills/Qualities Needed
 Critical thinking
 Active listening
 Monitoring/assessing performance
 Good judgment and decision making
 Learning strategies
 Systems evaluation
 Time management
 Respect for patient’s time
 Complex problem solving
 Operations analysis
O*Net Online

9. Abilities Needed
 Deductive reasoning
 Inductive reasoning
 Oral expression
 Arm/Hand steadiness
 Multi limb coordination
 Originality
 Selective attention
 Near vision
 Fluency of ideas
 Problem sensitivity
O*Net Online

10. Relevant Qualifications and Traits I Exemplify
 Cumulative GPA: 3.94/4.0
 Shadowing Experience
 Moore Center for Orthopedics, Lexington, SC
 Physical therapy shadowing
 Pediatric clinic – 20 hours / Adult clinic – 20 hours
 Pinnacle Physical Therapy, Columbia, SC
 Shadowing – 30 hours

11. Relevant Qualifications and Traits I Exemplify
 Hardworking: I give 100% effort in everything I do. I always take extra steps to
push myself to be better and I never give up
 Example: Calhoun Honors College, Research Projects
 Professionalism: I stay focused on my duties and responsibilities at work while also
pursuing my personal interests outside of the work environment.
 Example: Working 3 jobs during a summer while still having time for my family
and friends.
 Time Management: While I know the limits of how much I can handle, I am able to
take on multiple things at once and complete each task in the appropriate time
given.
 Example: Taking the most vigorous classes, being an officer in campus
organizations, and working while still maintaining a high GPA and fulfilling all
my other work and officer duties.
 Critical Thinking/Planning: I am able to analyze a situation, realize the ultimate
goal, and think outside of the box to create new and alternative ways to get there.
 I have acquired the ability to build and maintain strong, trustworthy relationships
through my extroverted and caring personality.

12. My O*Net Score Results
1. Investigative Occupation
 Scientific inquiry
 Searching for facts
 Figuring out problems
2. Social Occupation
 Teaching
 Giving advice
 Helping and being of service to other people
 Communication
 Caring for others
3. Enterprising Occupation
 Involve starting up and carrying out projects
 Good at leading people and making many
decisions
 Often deal with business
O*Net Online

13. Physical Therapy Schools
 3 years long for a typical Doctor of Physical Therapy program (DPT)
 Most programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree prior to
admission.
 Curriculum may include, but is not limited to, biology, anatomy, cellular
histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology,
pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences
 Tuition depends on the school and location but ranges from $3,387 to
$94,020
 Physical therapy schools near me:
 University of South Carolina at Columbia School of Physical Therapy
 Medical University of South Carolina College of Health Professions
 Duke University
 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Physical
Therapy
*American Physical Therapy Association

14. Medical University of South Carolina
 Admissions Requirements:
 General Chemistry (with labs) 8 hours
 Physics (with labs) 8 hours
 Biology 7 hours
 Human Anatomy (with lab) 4 hours
 Human Physiology 3 hours
 General Psychology 3 hours
 Abnormal Psychology 3 hours
 Statistics 3 hours
*Medical University of South Carolina

15. Physical Therapy Admissions Test
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
 Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes (plus short breaks)
 Measured Skills: Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical
writing
 Cost: $205
 General Test Scores:
 Verbal reasoning score reported on a 130–170 score scale, in
1-point increments
 Quantitative reasoning score reported on a 130–170 score
scale, in 1-point increments
 Analytical writing score reported on a 0–6 score scale, in
half-point increments
*ETS GRE

16. Medical University of South Carolina
 Admission Scores and Statistics
 Number of applicants: 482
 Class size: 64
 Mean GPA admitted: 3.57
 Lowest GPA admitted: 3.0
 Recommended hours of PT experience: 40
 Graduation rate: 97%
 Employment rate: 100%
 Recommended GRE score: 60th percentile

17. Sources
 "Physical Therapist (PT) Overview." American Physical Therapy Association. N.p.,
Oct. 2015. Web. 19 Jan. 2016
 "Physical Therapists." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States Department of
Labor, Dec. 2015. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
 Robins, Katherine. "A Brief History of Physical Therapy." Life Fitness Physical
Therapy. N.p., Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
 "GRE." GRE Revised General Test. Educational Testing Services, July 2015. Web. 19
Jan. 2016.
 ”Admissions Requirements." Medical University of South Carolina. College of Health
Professions, Dec. 2015. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
 ”Required Application Materials." Medical University of South Carolina. College of
Health Professions, Dec. 2015. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
 O*Net Online. http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1123.00

18. http://www.bayareapt.com/images/whatispt.jpg
THE END!