Physical therapy overview
Career in physical therapy has immense job opportunities both in the developing as well as developed nations. A large number of people are suffering due to pain, moveable disability, injuries, cerebral palsy, arthritis, heart diseases, fractures etc., where physical therapy as a career option is one of the best to grab. Physical therapy students get familiar with knowledge of pain management, increase in mobility, back and neck injuries, sprains, strains, fractures, amputations, etc.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has termed this profession as Bright Outlook because of its excellent job opportunities
Physical therapy course details
After passing the 12th standard from physics, chemistry and biology with at least 50% marks from a recognized board, one is eligible to appear in the entrance exam of Bachelor in Physical therapy (BPT). Bachelor in physical therapy is a full time three to four years course.
If one gets enrolled in the course, the student has to study anatomy, physiology, pathology, psychology, disability prevention, medical and surgical conditions, rehabilitation, etc.
Doctor of physical therapists undergoes 30 weeks of clinical work where they learn how to supervise the acute care and orthopedic care.
Course after bachelor in physical therapy
If you want to go in the dipper of the subject and for specialization, one may pursue higher studies like
- Post Graduate in physical therapy
- Ph.D. in Physical therapy
Job oriented career options in physical therapy
Jobs in physical therapy are abundant. The problems like pain, mobility disability, back and neck injuries, sprains, strains, fractures, amputations, arthritis, etc. are common these days where physical therapy has a big role to handle the conditions. The job opportunities are also bright in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, wellness centres, spas, community health care centres, fitness centres, occupational health centres, etc. The job prospects enhance further after completing MA and Ph.D. The meritorious students often have campus placement. The average salary ranges between 2.5 lakh to 8 lakh per annum.
MA degree in physical therapy
Higher education degree such as Post Graduate and PhD inphysical therapy will help you to place at a better advantageous position in comparison to bachelor in physical therapy. Higher education in the field opens a wide range of opportunities like teaching, research, etc.
Career Prospects in physical therapy
The career prospects in physical therapy and its interdisciplinary disciplines such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, prosthetic therapy, orthotic engineering etc., are quite high in demand. These are the courses, which got modern height, and not behind other modern medicine disciplines. Pursuing this course, you can secure your future. If you know the nuances of the discipline, you can make your niche either in the public or private sector. After finishing BPT, one may pursue higher education i.e. MA and PhD which have bright future prospects. Doing the course, one can also find its place at pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, clinical electrophysiology, cardiopulmonary therapy, etc.
Career options in physical therapy
Doing physical therapy courses, it doesn’t mean that one will work only as physical therapist. There are many other disciplines, where one can absorb oneself.
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Mental health
- Orthopedics
- Occupational health
- Neurology
- Clinical electrophysiology
- Cardiopulmonary therapy
- Intensive care
- OPDs
- Women’s health
- Stroke services
Physical therapist skills
To have a good command in the field, one needed the following skills:
- Good communication skill
- Administrative skill
- Organisational skill
- Interpersonal skills
- Teamwork spirit
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good knowledge of the subject
- Patience and compassion
- Hardworking
- Detail oriented
- Dexterity
- Physical stamina
- Resourcefulness
Job opportunity in physical therapy
More or less, all the health related organizations have physical therapists, physiotherapist, occupational therapists, prosthetics engineers, and other therapists who make the work easier for the doctors as well as the patients. As far as employment opportunities are concerned, it is a rewarded discipline and job opportunity is available in public as well as private organizations. They therapists may start career in hospitals, fitness centres, rehabilitation centres, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, orthopedics, occupational health, clinical electrophysiology, cardiopulmonary therapy, OPDs, etc .Job opportunities are quite bright in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and orthopedic settings. Teaching is also one of the lucrative options after pursuing higher studies. The job outlook is great in physical therapy after booming in the aging population.
Physical therapists duties and responsibilities
- Enable the patients mobility and ensure health and wellness
- Make a brief report of patient medical history
- Use stretching, twisting and compressing exercises thereby helps to minimize injuries
- Helps to make the patient functional
- Educate the family members how to handle the patient condition
Licenses of physical therapists
There are many countries and states, which have made licenses, certification and registration essential. There are the board or scrutiny centres who supervise it. Sometimes, they become board-certified specialist. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers certifications such as orthopedics, sports, geriatric, etc.
Career related with physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Prosthetic engineering
- Orthotic engineering
- Audiologists
- Chiropractors
- Physical Therapist
- Assistant Recreational Therapist
- Speech language pathologists
Salary in physical therapy
Salary in the field depends upon proficiency and expertise of the person. In India, the salary starts from 20, 000 and may go to 50, 000 per month. In USA, the average annual salary of a physical therapist is $84, 020 in 2015. But who has expertise and the finer nuances of the field also draws $119, 000.
Conditions treated by physical therapists
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Post myocardial infarction
- Carpal tunnel
- Trigger finger
- Back pain
- Rotator cuff tear
- TMJ disorders
- Stroke
- Spinal cord injury
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vestibular dysfunction
- Traumatic brain injury
- Developmental delays
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Concussion
- Tennis elbow
- Lymphedema
- Urinary incontinence
- Wound care
- Burns
Main Employers of physical therapists
- Hospitals
- Fitness centres
- Rehabilitation centres
- Pediatrics section
- Geriatrics departments
- Mental health
- Orthopedics section
- Occupational health
- Clinical electrophysiology
- Cardiopulmonary therapy
- OPDs
- Acute care hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Orthopedic settings
- Big business houses/firms
- TNCs
- BPOs
- KPOs
- Spa centres
- Resorts
- Sports organisations
- Armed services
