Physical Therapy Physician Certification
Doctors of physical therapy provide treatment and assessment to patients experiencing limited mobility through injury or disease. Physical therapists can opt to advance their treatment practice and career opportunity through certification in specialty treatment areas targeting specific demographics within the general population. While certification is rigorous with academic and clinical experience requirements, the job outlook is strong for a therapist with certification in a specialty area.
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What is a Physical Therapist?
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As a physical therapist, you restore and improve patient mobility that is hindered by a problem related to the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary or skin systems. These problems can occur as a result of disease, injury or other causes. By evaluating the function of these systems, you can select and apply therapeutic treatment to alleviate pain and improve and maintain patient health. Treatment plans will vary according to patient depending on goals determined between therapist and patient; you will work with a team of assistants or aides to follow the treatment plan, oversee treatment progress and educate the patient and family on any additional practices they will need to undertake in the home.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Education Requirements
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To be eligible for physical therapy certification, you will need to successfully complete a doctorate program for physical therapy so that you may pursue specialize study. Doctorate programs require a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree with an academic record that demonstrates experience in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Required coursework includes biology with laboratory experience, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics. Additional study in psychology, mathematics and statistics are also encouraged. You will be required to sit for the general record examination (GRE) and demonstrate at least 50 hours of volunteer work under the direction of a practicing physical therapist.
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Certification Program
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Certification programs, such as the one offered at the University of Michigan--Flint, provide doctors of physical therapy (DPT's) curriculum that prepares them for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Board Certification examinations. Programs are designed for those individuals who have completed a doctorate in physical therapy but have not yet completed a Residency and focuses in the key certification specialty areas of orthopedics (OCS), geriatrics (GCS), neurology (NCS), pediatrics (PCS) or cardiopulmonary physical therapy (CCS). In a clinical learning environment you will spend from a year up to 36 months practicing clinical skills in your specialty area. At the end of your certification training you should be prepared to take the exam.
Certification Requirements
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The minimum eligibility requirements for specialist certification as a DPT include current license to practice physical therapy in the United States with at least 2,000 hours of clinical experience in the specialty area you wish to acquire certification. At least 25 percent of your clinical experience must have occurred within three years of your application. For each specialty area there will be specific clinical and education requirements centered on your desired work area (cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatrics, orthopedics). Those requirements typically call for proof of work and clinical experience in patient care, general physical therapy practice and competencies exclusive to each focus. Exams generally consist of 200 questions designed to test comprehension and analysis as well as general content knowledge. Re-certification is required every 10 years.
Salary and Career Outlook
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The employment outlook for physical therapists with specialized knowledge through certification is very good. According to the Bureau of Labor, physical therapists career opportunities are expected to grow faster than average hiring trends, particularly in the acute hospital, rehabilitation and orthopedic environments. Job growth for therapists is expected to grow 27 percent through 2016. As many as six out of 10 physical therapists work in hospital settings or private practices with additional jobs found in the home health care service industry, nursing care facilities or outpatient care centers. The median annual salary for therapists is reported at $66,200 according to May 2006 data from BLS.
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