Physical Theropy

Jason Goldstein

Prof. Nazario

April 13, 2005

People have created a hectic and busy world, that includes careers and daily activities that require physical activity. While attempting to attain the required physical conditioning, people often take chances with their personal health as they try to stretch their physical limits. Sometimes, people can surpass their current limits and form new boundaries; however, other times people are not so fortunate. These unfortunate times often lead to injury, including workplace accidents, sporting incidents, disease afflictions, as well as others; any or all of which could bring about the need of rehabilitation services. Many of these require physical therapy, which includes assisting injured or otherwise impaired patients as they recover to their pre-injury status or to recover as much as is physically possible. The field of physical therapy is a choice career for those who enjoy helping people recover from injury, and the following text will provide reason for choosing this profession.

Various educational requirements serve as a qualification to a career as a physical therapist. A person must earn a minimum of two degrees from accredited universities, perform volunteer service and comply with certification requirements to complete the educational requirements toward a career in physical therapy. First, the interested person must complete an undergraduate degree with either a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Arts with a heavy science background.. A common requirement among universities is a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all basic courses and a minimum 3.0 in all science classes for entrance into a Master's degree program. Important considerations by most, if not all, programs are the person's grades and attitude displayed during a required personal interview with an executive from the university which the interested student plans to attend. The next stepinvolves earning a Master's degree from an accredited university. Once into a Master's program, the student must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average throughout the two year program. A basic program, as described by The World Book Encyclopedia, consists of "courses in anatomy, clinical medicine, physiology, psychology, therapeuticexercise, and the use of various physical and electrical equipment" (Zeleny, 1986). Theseclasses should thoroughly prepare the student for their future career in physical therapy. Although not a current requirement, the student should make future plans for continuing education classes. These classes help keep the person, as a physical therapist, informed of new ideas and changing events such as insurance, Medicare and Medicaid billing procedures. Secondly, the student should also make plans to complete the required volunteer experience. In order to enroll in a Master's degree program, the student must complete a minimum of 120 to 150 hours of volunteer service. The student should also prepare for at least three, six-week internships which are held in various parts of the United States and its affiliate provinces, such as the Dominican Republic, Philippines, as well as Guam and others. These internships are set up in order to provide the student with a variety of problem solving skills, and may or may not be paid experiences. Finally, the student must be certified by the state in which he/she wishes to practice. "Upon completion of an accredited education program, you are

eligible to apply for a license in the state(s) where you wish to practice. All states require a national licensure examination, but the passing score and other requirements vary from state to state" (Careers in Rehabilitation). Once certified, the student has graduated into his/her career as a physical therapist. The list of educational requirements is fairly long and extensive, but should prepare the interested person for a fulfilling career in this field.

Many opportunities arise once a person enters the field of physical therapy. Financial gains, emotional satisfaction and respect from peers are just a few of the many opportunities to enjoy in the field of physical therapy. Compared to the days as a student, the financial means of a physical therapist are a very welcome transition. The average starting salary for a physical therapist ranges from $35,000 to $50,000 per year. Good Shepherd Medical Center of Longview, Texas, offers starting physical therapists $48,000 per year. Other areas may pay more or less, depending on demand in the particular region. Another opportunity to look forward to is the emotional satisfaction gained from helping others in their time of need. Human nature provides people with an internal feeling of wholeness when realizing the positive effects of their actions toward others. This career is a perfect opportunity to attain these feelings as the physical therapist helps to rehabilitate a person, whom may have first met in perhaps his poorest physical condition, to a condition that might be the best of the patient's life. There are, however, some patients who cannot be rehabilitated to the full extent. A personal contact with a physical therapist, Tanya Foster, revealed that "seeing people with impairments that can't be helped" was the most frustrating part of her job. However, this feeling brought about by the inability to help in some cases is far out weighed by the great feeling of being able to help in most cases, she reported. Another great opportunity is the chance to gain the

respect of the peers in the medical field. The physical therapist works continually with both patients and the patient's doctors. The doctor generally refers a patient to physical therapy either to prepare for or to help recover from surgery, after an accident or amputation. When the doctor witnesses excellent results coming out of the physical therapy center, that doctor gains respect for the work performed by the physical therapist. The patient also gains respect and appreciation for the physical therapist, as they are able to function more normally. This gained respect is needed for prosperity as well as increasing confidence in the work performed