• 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.

Salary

• $46,000 - $67,000

More Information

• American Physical Therapy Association
  1111 North Fairfax Street
  Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
  703-684-APTA (2782) or 800-999-APTA (2782)
  http://www.apta.org