College Courses Online Can Assist Work And Study For Physical Therapy Careers
Recuperating from a major accident often requires much more than the mending of bones, nerves and muscle. Even after the scar tissue has faded, a patient usually has to go through a recovery period if he or she ever wants to move like they used to. Helping the patient back is a specially trained health care pro called the physical therapist. Like many in the technologically expanding medical field, many therapists will have obtained their training from medical school degree.
Physical therapists help individuals who have medical problems that limit their ability to move. They create programs that help their patient’s get back on their feet and function on their own. They also develop plans for healthier and more active lifestyles involving exercise, diet and sometimes medication.
Physical therapists practice in hospitals, outpatient clinics and private offices. Their jobs can be physically demanding, because therapists may have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods. In addition, physical therapists move heavy equipment and patients to help them turn, stand, or walk. Most full-time physical therapists work a 40-hour week. Many work evenings and weekends.
Today’s entrants to this profession need a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Among the undergraduate courses one should take include anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, social science, mathematics, and statistics. From there, it’s time to either see if one can get a job at a hospital or clinic or go straight on for one’s Master’s degree in physical therapy. Either way, sooner or later a PT has to get hands-on training before going for certification.
There are over 200 accredited physical therapist programs, both from on campus schools and distance learning online degree. Currently, only graduate degree physical therapist programs are accredited. Master’s degree programs typically are two to two-and-a-half years in length, while doctoral degree programs last three years. Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination and fulfilling state requirements such as jurisprudence exams are also required. A number of states require continuing education as a condition of maintaining licensure.
A fully registered physical therapist averages slightly over $73,000 a year, depending on where they work. It can go a bit over $100,000 if one finds the right position and location. Because most therapists work for health-care institutions, their jobs come with excellent health coverage and possible savings and continued education programs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics rates physical therapy as one of the fastest growing professions in the country. There are currently over 180,000 in the U.S., with a need for another 54,000 (30%) within the next decade.
Because of the acute shortage of PTs in the U.S., there are a considerable number of grants and scholarships out there for accredited college degree and traditional college for those interested in the field. One should consult with their school’s financial aid and/or career counselor about what’s out there in the way of medical degree programs and financial aid. From the looks of things, as long as there are extreme illnesses, there will be a need for physical therapists for some time to come.





















