A Career in Physical Therapy |
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August 29, 2006
by Joe Cooper
joe.cooper@healthcare-programs.com
Healthcare Programs Columnist
There are over 150,000 physical therapists in the U.S., and this number is increasing. Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries of the new century, and physical therapy is an essential piece of this immense and essential industry.
The Physical Therapist
If you have an interest in medicine as well as an interest in people, earning your degree from a physical therapy school would be a great way to satisfy your needs. If you're an athlete, a physical therapy career is a great alternative to playing the game, allowing you to work in the world of sports and support athletic health.
The physical therapist is responsible for developing or restoring mobility or function in patients. Physical therapists work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other organizations with a variety of patients. Some are elderly patients who underwent knee or hip surgery. Some patients were involved in dehabilitating accidents. Others have degenerative diseases and need help maintaining their bodies.
What to Expect
There are a variety of types of job situations to be found in a physical therapy career. You could be the physical therapist for a sports team, traveling wherever they go. You could also schedule clients each week through a hospital. Private medical practices and universities keep physical therapists on staff.
After graduation from physical therapy school, you might expect to earn around $48,000 per year, with the ability to earn more after a few years of experience. The average salary of a physical therapist was $60,180 two years ago.
Your career begins with your degree from a physical therapy school. From there, you will be eligible for the jobs that will give you the chance to better the lives of the patients who are waiting for you.
Sources
About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.
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