What do they do?
- Work in hospitals, nursing homes,
rehabilitation centers, private physical
therapy offices, schools, sports facilities
and physician offices.
- Help patients restore bodily function,
prevent or limit permanent disability
and relieve pain after am injury or
illness.
- Restore, maintain and promote overall
fitness and health.
- Test and measure strength, coordination,
balance, range of motion ,posture, muscle
performance, respiration and motor function.
- Determine patient’s ability
to be independent and reintegrate into
the community or workplace after injury
or illness.
- Apply traction and heat, cold, electrical
stimulation, ultrasound and water treatments.
- Train patients to use assistive and
adaptive equipment, such as crutches,
prosthetics, walkers and wheelchairs.
|
|
Education/Training
|
- College prep courses in high school,
including challenging math, science
and English courses.
- As of 2002, all physical therapist
programs seeking accreditation are required
to offer degrees at the postgraduate
level (Master’s degree and above).
- PT programs start with basic science
courses in biology, chemistry, and physics,
and then require specialized courses
such as biomechanics, neuroanatomy,
human growth and development, therapeutic
procedures, and others.
- Supervised clinical experience.
- State licensing exams.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want to learn
more about working in healthcare? How about starting
as a volunteer? Volunteering
can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Learn
more about our Volunteer
Services Program - click here!
|
