Physical Therapy Provider Schools, Salaries, and Job Data
Physical Therapy Providers Job Overview
Physical therapy providers help patients suffering from injury or ailment by offering services which re-establish functions, reduce pain, increase mobility and the effect of physical disabilities. They help in the upkeep of general health and fitness. Usually their patients include those with lower back pain, bone fractures, heart ailments, arthritis, head injuries and those suffering from cerebral palsy.
Physical Therapy Providers Schools and Degrees
To become a physical therapy provider a master’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program is required. Doctoral degrees are also issued and take about three years to complete. Both master’s and doctoral degrees need to be in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. There are about 43 accredited master’s courses and 166 doctoral courses in physical therapy.
Job Requirements
Most states require physical therapy providers to pass a national and state level licensure exam before receiving permission to practice.
After clearing exams and obtaining licensure to practice, a physical therapy provider is expected to keep up is or her professional development. A physical therapy provider can do so by taking part in ongoing education programs and workshops. In fact, many states require physical therapy providers to participate in continuing education in order to keep their license.
Nature of Work
Physical therapy providers study the medical history of patients and test and gauge the physical strength, range of motion, muscle performance and motor abilities of the patients. They then begin treatment, which often includes exercise, providing cold or hot compresses / packs, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and infrared treatment. They document the patient’s progress and work in consultation with physicians, occupational therapists, dentists and nurses.
Physical therapy providers generally work in hospitals, clinics and private offices with the necessary equipment that is needed o provide physical therapy to patients. They also sometimes attend to patients at their homes or at schools. They work for about forty hours a week and may work during the evenings and weekends as well if they are needed. Their job is physically demanding as they have to stand and assist patients for long periods at a long time depending upon the kind of treatment they are applying. Many physical therapy providers work part time.
Physical Therapy Providers Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, physical therapy providers held about 173,000 jobs in the U.S. Employment is highest in the following industries:< /p>
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Home Health Care Services
Nursing Care Facilities
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
The mean hourly wage for physical therapy providers in the US is about $33.54, while the mean annual salary is around $69,760.
Job Numbers and Growth
Physical therapy providers nationally number 173,000. The unemployment level for workers is very low, compared to other occupations. About 1% of employees were unemployed recently.
Area Job Conditions
Physical therapy providers are relatively common in Sherman (Texas), Missoula (Montana), and Waterbury (Connecticut). They are rarer in Beaumont (Texas), Visalia (California), and Clarksville (Tennessee).
Workers are paid highest in Laredo (Texas), Wichita Falls (Texas), and Alexandria (Louisiana), and lowest in Las Cruces (New Mexico), Albany (Georgia), and Honolulu (Hawaii).
Training and Education
Employees are generally expected to have a master's degree. About 89% of physical therapy providers hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 9% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 2% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
About 23% of physical therapy providers work less than full-time. In 8% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
Physical Therapy Providers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.