How to Choose to Become a Physical Therapist

Choosing a career as a physical therapist can be a very rewarding experience for the person with the right outlook and personality. The physical therapist must provide competent physical rehabilitation services, design a treatment plan, strategy and implement changes or alternate methods as needed for disabled persons as their physical therapy progresses. The therapist continues to gain a great deal of knowledge to help disabled persons the longer they stay in this profession.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Love of helping others as a career
• Choose an accredited school (college) for training as physical therapist
• Ability to pass college level educational courses
• Physical ability to perform services
• Ability to properly prepare administrative paperwork and create adequate medical records

1. Caring about others' rehabilitation is not just a job, it is an obligation to do the very best for each patient. Fulfilling this obligation can be more difficult when dealing with patients who are frustrated, in severe pain, or want to blame the physical therapist for lack of improvement. A student physical therapist should keep note of his response to the emotional and mental challenges of this job. It is best to determine now, while still a student, the ability and patience to survive these challenges. If you are short tempered or need immediate results from an occupation, this job is not for you.

2. Do not choose this education if you feel squeamish or have reservations touching a patient's feet or other body areas which need muscle stimulation or manipulation to help a patient, or assist in showing the proper way to do something. This is real hands on work for a physical therapist.

3. Do not choose a career as a physical therapist if physical limitations prevent you from prolonged standing, bending, kneeling, or performing necessary tasks to evaluate, demonstrate and implement treatment.

4. Take time to look for available work in your area. Jobs can be available at hospitals, specialty clinics and private facilities.

5. Choose an accredited school with a great reputation. Forget about the amenities at the school for the moment, and look for a solid curriculum first. The important thing here is a quality education as a physical therapist where a student can graduate and be prepared to work.

6. Choose a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy to start the educational process. After an internship or actual work, determine if you want to pursue a Master's Degree, which is now recommended for those who want to become a physical therapist.

7. Check your desired degree program to see if there are specialized programs available to widen your job prospects.

8. Investigate at least 3, 4 or more colleges offering degrees as a Physical Therapist to be certain which one is best for you. Get information on courses, costs, grants and everything else you need first, then enroll. Abundant information is available online and is the simple way to begin. While checking colleges online, take the time to examine the licensing requirements of each state where the college is located, so you know that you are fully prepared to begin work as a physical therapist.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to handle administrative work, doctors and insurance companies will require information. Your place of employment will require it for billing purposes and patient records.
• Extreme patience is a virtue in this line of work.
• Get assistance for your own problems first, otherwise, it is not possible to help others as a physical therapist.
• Rules, regulations and requirements can change. Recheck these directly with your chosen State to be certain that all information is current at the time you need it. The Resource below will assist your search.

Resources

• State Licensing Requirements

[joanhaines]

on 6/11/2009 My daughter is finishing a degree in kinesiology (body mechanics) at Temple University, and will go on to a physical therapy school. She is working as a physical therapy aide now, and is learning a ton. She loves this field. The combination of science and encouraging people is a rewarding challenge.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/17/2009 Well written article. Thanks for the information. 5*

[Ladybugblue]

on 2/4/2009 Good article! 5*

[kagee]

on 2/3/2009 Thank you, my daughter is looking into this as a major.

[Limowreck]

on 2/2/2009 Fascinating. I had no idea how much was involved for those who want to become a physical therapist. Great article. *****