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As a physical therapist, you are a healthcare personnel involved in helping your patients to recover from any pain or injury they suffer in their bodies. Such conditions include back aches, stiff necks, bone fractures, arthritis and even stroke. You will be drawing up a plan to aid your patients, so that they will be relieved of pain, restored of their bodily functions and eventually enjoy the well-being of their lifestyle. Such a profession can be quite taxing, as you are always responsible for your patients and their overall health.
Physical Therapist Salary Information:
The salary range of a physical therapist falls in the range of $58,000 to $75,700 annually. If you are based in certain metropolitan areas, or have many years of experience under the belt, you can even expect to earn more than $80,000 per year. It is relatively tougher to become a physical therapist compared to most other professions, since you need to obtain at least a Master’s Degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics though, the demand for physical therapist is expected to continue rising.
Physical Therapist Education Requirements:
If you wish to become a physical therapist, having a Bachelor’s Degree is no longer enough. It is recommended that you take up a related degree program such as chemistry, biology and anatomy, which will serve as an alternative to pre-physical therapy training program. A typical Bachelor’s Degree course usually lasts for 4 years, and it is advisable to gain some working experience in the department of physical therapy at any medical facility.
Once eligible, you can apply for a Master of Physical Therapy degree program, a 3-year course preparing you to become knowledgeable enough to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. You will be studying on more advance subjects, ranging from pharmacology and neuroscience to pathology and physiology. Depending on which state you choose to practice in, you may be required to sit for additional jurisprudence tests before you are awarded the license to be a full-fledged physical therapist.
Physical Therapist Work Environment:
You, as a physical therapist, will most often be stationed in hospitals and care centers, which are always clean and air-conditioned. Your working hours on average is 40 per week, and depending on your specialization, you may be practicing in sports facilities and fitness centers instead.
A prestigious job to say the least, a physical therapist even enjoys flexibility in job options. If you prefer to do so, you can even go into research studies in university!
Additional Resources:
How Much Do Physical Therapists Make
How Much Does A Physical Therapist Make |