Physical Therapy 172015 What is Physical Therapy Healthcare

Physical Therapy 1/7/2015

What is Physical Therapy? Healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform everyday activities Physical therapists: ● ● ● Diagnose movement impairments and disabilities Develop a fitness and wellness oriented programs to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Provide care for people in a variety of settings. Fun Fact ● 750, 000 people in the USA are undergoing physical therapy right now.

How Do PTs Work with patients? When treating a patient, PTs: ● ● ● take the patient/client history examines physical condition perform tests and measures to identify potential and existing problems To treat patients physical therapists must first perform evaluations to determine whether the problems to be addressed are treatable. While treating patients physical therapists must: ● ● ● take into account the diagnoses, prognoses and patient/client goals manage and instruct patients/clients while receiving treatment conduct re-examinations modify program as necessary to achieve anticipated goals and expected outcomes develop discharge plans

(Rough) Demonstration

Getting there. . . Get an undergraduate degree ● Volunteer ● Get good grades ● Take certain classes Earn a graduate degree ● CAPTE accredited professional physical therapy degree programs ● 9 masters programs, 203 doctorate programs ● Masters: 2 -3 years ● Doctorate: 3 years Get licensed ● National Physical Therapy Examination Gain more experience ● 1, 500 hours of clinical physical therapy practice within 9 -36 months Specialize ● Get certified by American Board of Physical Therapist Specialists ● 200 question specialist certification exam

Career Specialties: practice in a variety of settings including: ● hospitals ● outpatient clinics ● private offices ● home health agencies ● schools and universities ● sports and fitness facilities ● private companies (sports teams or ballet companies) Work Hours: Most full-time PTs work a 40 -hour week, which may include some evenings and weekends Average Salary: $80, 000. Top 10% make $110, 000

Questions?