How to become a physical therapist

What does a Physical Therapist do?

Physical therapists help patients restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent physical disabilities. PTs work closely with patients to restore, maintain, and promote fitness and health. Patients include people who have been in accidents as well as those with disabling conditions such as stroke, arthritis, and head injuries.

Physical therapists work with a patient’s medical history and then test and measure their strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, muscle performance, and motor function. They also help determine if the person can function independently. Their main goal is to develop a treatment plan that will help the patient improve function, prevent further injury, and reach their personal goals. As treatment progresses, the PT conducts periodic examinations, tracks the patient’s progress, keeps careful case notes, and modifies the treatment as needed. Physical therapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, and private offices. Some also treat patients on-site in their homes, hospital and nursing home rooms, and schools.

They often consult with physicians, dentists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Some PTs treat a wide range of ailments while others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. Employers also seek PTs to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits. Physical therapy can be a physically demanding job that requires stooping, kneeling, lifting, and standing for long periods.

Physical therapists need strong interpersonal skills to work with the variety of patients they see.

How do I become a Physical Therapist?

In recent years the physical therapy degree has changed from a master’s level degree to a doctorate of physical therapy (DPT). You should look for an accredited program that offers a DPT. These require a bachelor’s degree, clinical background, certain prerequisite courses, and generally an aptitude test (the GRE). It is especially important that you shadow a physical therapist in preparation for this career. One reason for this is to be sure that you are ready for the physical demands of the position. All physical therapists must pass a licensure exam before they can practice.

Obtaining Licensure

Make sure you have what it takes to be a physical therapist. Before you jump into the educational program that is required for you to be a physical therapist, you should have a clear sense of what this career entails. If you want to obtain licensure and enjoy a career as a physical therapist, you should be prepared to do the following tasks:

• Diagnose your patients' dysfunctional movements by watching them move around and listening to their complaints and concerns.
• Devise an individualized plan for each patient, understanding the patients' goals.
• Use hands-on therapy, stretches, and exercises to help ease the pain of your patients and improve their mobility.
• Evaluate the progress of your patients and modify their treatment plans as needed.
• Tell your patients and their families about what they should expect as they recover from their injuries.
• Provide emotional support to your patients as you help them deal with their injuries.

Get a bachelor's degree from a four-year university with a focus in science-based courses. While you don't necessarily have to obtain a BS (Bachelor of Science), the post-graduate program you apply to may have prerequisites in biology, chemistry, anatomy, or physiology. If you are currently an undergraduate and plan on becoming a physical therapist, talk to a counselor at your school to determine which courses you should be taking and whether you have chosen the right major.

• Common undergraduate majors for physical therapists include biology, psychology, and exercise science.
• You don't have to major in a science-based field, but you will have to take several courses that meet the prerequisite standards of your chosen post-graduate program. This means that you could major in Art History, Spanish, or another unrelated field, while taking the required courses to become a physical therapist.
• The average GPA for students accepted to physical therapy programs in 2011-2012 was 3.52, so be prepared to study rigorously during your time as an undergraduate.
• If you'd like to be a physical therapists' assistant, then you can earn an associates degree instead.
• There are a few physical therapy programs that allow students to enter directly after they graduate from high school. If you're interested in one of these freshman entry programs, you should look into them while you're still in high school.

Obtain a post-graduate professional degree. Some post-graduate physical therapy programs offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, while others offer a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree, though the DPT is far more common. Doctoral programs typically last for 3 years, while Master's programs last 2-3 years. The coursework covered includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and neuroscience. Check out this link to find PT programs in your area.

• The program you choose may also involve completing a clinical rotation, during which you will gain hands-on experience working in the field.
• You may need to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be accepted to the institute of your choice.
• The application process for post-graduate programs in physical therapy is competitive. To help your chances of acceptance, you should gain experience as a volunteer or a worker in a physical-therapy setting.
• You will need to provide 1-4 letters of reference when you apply to physical therapy programs, so make sure to build meaningful connections with your teachers and mentors before you apply.
• Make sure you choose the right PT program. Compare the programs based on their locations, areas of specialty, licensure passing rate, and financial aid packages.

Obtain a license to practice physical therapy. Specific license requirements vary between states, but most states require that prospective candidates pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Determine your state's requirements for physical therapy licenses.