Physical therapy schools are amongst the most popular choices for students looking for a career in the health field. However choosing the right course is just as important as choosing physical therapy as a career.
Are you looking for a career which will enable you to help those with mobility issues take control of their functions? Many people consider this type of work to be extremely rewarding as you can make a real difference to an individual’s quality of life and that of their families. This line of work is broadly termed as physical therapy. There are a variety of top physical therapy schools across the United States, which can equip you with the knowledge and skills required to embark on a successful and very rewarding career in physical therapy. This site will help you research physical therapy schools online and will outline which physical therapy colleges are considered best.
What Does A Physical Therapist Do? A Brief Overview.
Physical Therapy is concerned with problems and conditions that restrict or remove an individual’s ability to perform normal day to day physical tasks. This could mean teaching somebody how to walk again following a head injury – or could involve rehabilitating a person who has had serious ligament damage in their arms of legs. Physical therapists will deal with people of all ages and will help resolve a multitude of health care and medical problems relating to mobility.
No two cases are the same, but broadly speaking a physical therapist will assess their patient and provide a diagnosis that will allow them to put a treatment plan into place. Treatments plans will have with mobility, restore movement and function, ease pain if applicable and will aim to prevent the worsening of the condition and further disability. Physical therapists will also help work on the general fitness of their patients, to enable them to have a more healthy and active lifestyle.
This kind of work can take place in a variety of settings, provided the practitioner has a state approved license. Physical therapy typically takes place in; hospitals, medical centers, clinics, schools, gyms, sports clubs, homes and individuals work places. Work in the home and the work place is particularly important to show individuals how they can cope in their day to day settings.
Physical therapy is highly sought after. It is becoming increasingly prevalent in the health care system, as a tool to deal with a large number of medical problems and health care conditions. Physical therapy has developed over the last decade, meaning it is now being used as an alternative to more serious procedures such as surgery. The physical therapist will examine the patient and put a personalized plan into place with the patient. The patient and therapist will work in conjunction, as a team so that the patient can restore function, alleviate pain and regain control of their lives.
There are a wide variety of treatment options available to a physical therapist, but most will involve therapeutic exercise or functional training. The choice of treatment will be dependent on the needs of the patient and their problem. Typical treatments involve manipulation, which involves moving a joint through a range of motions. Massage is also very useful for stimulating muscle function. In addition therapists work with other treatments such as the use of hot and cold packs, ultrasound, electrotherapy and any other treatment deemed appropriate to the patient’s condition. All treatments will encourage the patient to take on a healthy, exercise filled lifestyle, which should further aid the recovery from any condition or problem.
What Qualifications Are Required In Order To Qualify As A Physical Therapist?
There are two degree options in the United States if you want to become a fully qualified practising Physical Therapist. The qualifications available are the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and the Master of Physical Therapy degree.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is the most widely taken qualification and is available at most physical therapy schools. The Master of Physical Therapy degree is still offered at some of the top physical therapy schools, however only a fraction of universities choose to offer this degree. This was highlighted by the American Physical Therapy Association, who looked at all 215 degree programs in 2009 in the United States. They found that 200 universities, which equates for 93% of the institutions accredited to provide physical therapy qualifications offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The remaining 15 universities (7%) offered the Master of Physical Therapy degree. Most physical therapy schools offering the Master of Physical Therapy degree are in transition and will be offering the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in the future.
The two degree options include theoretical and practical work, both of which needed to be completed in order to qualify. The practical work or clinical experience as it is known, involves taking part in internships outside of the physical therapy schools themselves, which can last up to 45 weeks; which is spread across the duration of the degree. Students studying a physical therapy degree are also required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. This is a requirement for anyone who intends to practice physical therapy in the United States.
How Long Does It Take To Qualify From Physical Therapy Schools?
The degree programs available at physical therapy schools generally take around 3 years to complete and often run across the traditional academic year. The degrees themselves are wide ranging and cover a variety of topics that equip the student with the skills and knowledge required to be successful in this professions. Examples of modules which are studied in these degrees are; biology, anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, clinical reasoning and other medical related course content. These degrees also cover subjects such as management, finance, marketing and communication; which will aid the student further in their career if they are looking to move into a management position, or are looking to set up their own practice. The degrees are split up into theoretical work in the classroom, which accounts for roughly 80% of the time. The other 20% is assigned to clinical experience, so that the student can apply their theoretical knowledge to a practical setting, and gain valuable work experience.
Physical Therapy Schools Program by State
What Are The Routes Into Physical Therapy Schools?
There are two methods of entry into Physical Therapy Schools. Both are discussed here:
Direct Freshman Entry – This is the least common method of entry, some universities however offer a Freshman program, based on High School grades and a demonstrable interest in pursuing a career in physical therapy. Some universities ask that work experience is organized and undertaken prior to the first semester. The Freshman program is longer than the standard Doctor of Physical Therapy or Master of Physical Therapy degree programs. Students will attend university for 6 years. The first 3 years will equip the students with the base knowledge required in order to move onto the more advance elements associated with the traditional degrees, in the final 3 years.
Standard Entry – Most students join physical therapy schools upon completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, prior to starting the Doctor of Physical Therapy or Master of Physical Therapy degree. It is advisable to study a Bachelor’s degree in a subject loosely related to physical therapy, such as a science; like Biology, as this will help reduce the learning curve in your PT degree.
Who Provides The Physical Therapy Schools With Accreditation?
All physical therapy schools need seek approval from The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE provide checks and balances which ensure that the standard of education and learning remain high. CAPTE is approved by national bodies such as the US Department Of Education. It is important to obtain a recognized qualification if you intend to pursue a career in a professional, regulated environment. It is the only body in the US who receives this recognition in relation to providing accreditation for physical therapy degree courses.
CAPTE has an important role in the provision of Physical Therapy education, so what exactly do they do?
1. They inspect the universities who provide this education provision, to ensure that quality control measures are in place to maintain a high standard of teaching and learning.
2. They provide a comprehensive list of the accredited institutions and programs available. They publish this list, which includes a brief synopsis providing general information about the university and course itself. This list is published by CAPTE and is also available on the American Physical Therapy Association’s website. You can find it there under the prospective student’s resource section.
3. Provide information about all the accredited courses, which includes data about when the degrees where offered, by whom and details of the graduation dates and is some cases overall graduation rates.
4. Provide a avenue which allows students to make a formal complaint, if they are under the belief that the course provision which they are receiving is falling short of the guide lines set out by CAPTE.
5. CAPTE is impartial, so they do not provide recommendations and do not help you decide which Physical Therapy Schools are best to attend. They also do not rank the Top Physical Therapy Schools based on results and graduation rates.
Why Should You Attend One Of The CAPTE Endorsed Physical Therapy Schools?
CAPTE plays a vital role in this area of education as they ensure a quality of learning. They also ensure that the university or establishment offering these courses has the infrastructure and qualified teaching provision required to deliver acceptable results. CAPTE periodically vet all universities accredited by them, this is an ongoing process. You can be safe in the knowledge that you will receive an acceptable level of education, meaning you will graduate with the knowledge required to carry out the role of a physical therapist. The most important aspect of attending a CAPTE accredited facility is in relation to state licensing. All of the 50 states in the US require licensing before you are able to practice. In order to apply for a license you must first have attended an accredited program. The only body that all of the 50 states in the US recognize is CAPTE. You should always check that the university or establishment offering a Physical Therapy course is accredited by CAPTE.
What Are The Job Prospects Like For Some Graduating From Physical Therapy Schools?
The average salary of a Physical Therapist is around the $75,000 mark per annum. There are of course a number of factors that could mean that you earn significantly more than this which include; geographic location, area of expertise and overall experience. The average starting salary is around $40,000 – $45,000, again there are mitigating factors, particularly demand, with some states having a higher average starting salary compared to others. There is of course the option to work abroad, with some countries, particularly those in the Middle East offering significant earning capabilities. CAPTE accredited courses are recognized throughout the world.
In terms of employment opportunities; the U.S. Department of Labor have predicted a 30% increase in the number of individuals employed in the field of Physical Therapy. This rate of growth is significantly higher than the average for other professions, and means that this area of medicine is a boom industry. This has been helped in part; by the medical professions greater understanding of how effective physical therapy can help rehabilitate those that need it.
This growth has also been driven by an aging population. People are living longer so there is a rise in conditions and medical problems associated with old age. The elderly are extremely vulnerable to debilitating conditions as well as breaks and other muscle damage. This means there is now a larger demand for professionals who can help with this.
Anyone entering a career in Physical Therapy will have a worthwhile and rewarding job. They will be paid well for their expertise and will have a multitude of job options open to them. The important thing is to pick the right institution from the variety of Physical Therapy Schools available, so that you start off on the right footing and equip yourself with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful. This site will help you research an array of Physical Therapy Schools online.