PHYSICAL

THERAPIST
Before physical therapists are allowed to
practice, physical therapists must have
earned a graduate degree from accredited
academic program in physical therapy. These
programs typically culminate in a doctoral
degree and take at least three years to
complete. Schools that you could go to are
Arizona State, Penn State, Temple

TRAINING
Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy
degree. DPT programs typically last 3 years. Many
programs require a bachelor's degree for admission as well
as specific educational prerequisites, such as classes in
anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics.

WORK PLACE
Some places physical therapists can work are hospitals,
private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies,
schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings and
nursing homes. The most common place for physical
therapists to work are hospitals or private practices.

SALARY
The average starting salary for a physical therapist is
$66,685. The salary after ten years of being a physical
therapist is $84,726.

WHERE TO LIVE
To be a physical therapist you could live anywhere in the
world, depending on where you live it may be more
expensive or less expensive. Some areas might be more
common for people to visit a physical therapist than other
areas.

FUTURE OF PHYSICAL
THERAPISTS
Within the next 10 years, there is going to be around a 34%
growth for the need of physical therapists. Demand for
physical therapists is expected to continue due to surgery
and other situations where gaining strength back is needed.

WORKING
CONDITIONS/HAZARDS
Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet,
actively working with patients, failure to properly supervise
the patient, poor or improper technique., injury from
manipulation, burns or other heat injuries from the use of
hot packs, stretching or exercise injuries.

RESPONSIBILITES
Prepare for upcoming therapy sessions by organizing
the treatment locations based on the patient’s needs,
clean therapy area and set up any needed and necessary
equipment, watch the patient’s development during
therapy sessions and make notes on how the patient is
responding. Therapists and physical therapy assistants
use these notes and reports to evaluate the usefulness
and helpfulness of specific treatments for patients, help
patients move from one area of therapy to another –
aides should have physical strength because they may
have to move several immobile patients each day. Aides
are there to help patients walk, push them in
wheelchairs, or assist in sitting and standing. They are
even sometimes responsible for helping to pick them up
and move them to another location, fulfill office and
clerical duties, such as ordering supplies, answering
phone calls, taking appointments, calling patients, and
helping complete and file insurance paperwork
 JOB OPENING
Title of job: Physical
Therapist

Company name: Penn

Medicine

Location: West Chester,

PA

Requirements:
-Developing and implementing treatment
programs according to the plan of care
-Administering modalities, training patients in
therapeutic exercise
-Transfers and gait training and conducting
treatments using special equipment/assistive
devices
-Monitor the work of support personnel such
as Physical Therapy Assistants.

Education/Training Needed:
-Graduate of a Bachelor, Certificate, Masters or
Doctorate degree curriculum in Physical
Therapy accredited by the American Physical
Therapy Association
-Prior experience includes at least 2 years
recent acute care hospital work
-Knowledge of Universal Precaution Procedures
Good Communication and Customer Service
Skills