How to Become a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists report high satisfaction in their career choice.
The Chicago Tribune placed physical therapists at number two in the top five most satisfying occupations.

If you have a desire to help people and want a challenging and rewarding career, physical therapy may be for you

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bachelors degree
• Graduate school
• Volunteer or paid experience in atleast two physical therapy settings
• Experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings is highly preferred
• Aptitued for science, especially anatomy and physiology

1. Get a bachelors degree. It doesn't matter what you major in as long as you complete the prerequisite requirements for graduate school in physical therapy. The requirements list is usually comprised of two classes each in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and physics. Having an exercise class and course work in psychology may also be required.

2. Choose a graduate school with a physical therapy program by utilizing the American Physical Therapy Association website. You will find specifics on required undergraduate courses and the number of hours you need to be exposed to physical therapy. The link is listed in the resources section.

3. Get experience. Volunteer at a rehabilitation hospital or in the physical therapy department of a hospital. Gain experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, preferably at two different locations. To enter graduate school, you will need between 50 and 100 hours of experience. The number of hours required depends on the school you choose.

4. Get along with the physical therapy staff. You can use your supervisors as references or they can be your future employer.

5. Understand your role as a volunteer in a physical therapy setting. As a volunteer you will mainly be responsible for pushing wheelchairs and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the facility.

6. Work to keep patients comfortable. Stay within the guidelines of your position and don't do anything that the physical therapist or the physical therapist assistant is required to do. Talk with patients to distract them from their pain. You can act as a cheerleader for them while they recover.

7. Work out. As a physical therapist you will frequently bend, stoop, stand, and stabilize patients with limited mobility. You may lift patients from hairs and beds and into wheelchairs. You will physically manipulate arms and legs, especially if the patient's muscles have atrophied.

8. Study effectively. Notice that it doesn't say study hard. Studying hard will wear you out and you won't retain as much as if you study effectively. Go to your college tutoring center to get advice on how to study for science courses and seek help through tutoring.

9. Get recommendations. Ask for recommendations from the physical therapists you work with as a volunteer to submit to graduate schools.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to the American Physical Therapy Association website to learn more and to find a school. The link is provided below.
• Ask questions. Most physical therapist and physical therapist assistants are more than willing to teach someone who has a genuine interest.
• By law, you can't treat anyone as a volunteer. Follow the directions of your supervisor and asks questions when in doubt about what you should do and not do.

Resources

• American Physical Therapy Association

[slphilbrick]

on 1/22/2009 I'm sure there are variations, but my daughter is in a master's occupational therapy program and many of your tips have applied to her as well.