What You Need to Know About Physical Therapist
Career Description Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Life As a Physical Therapist (PT): What Do They Do?
- Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
- Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.
- Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.
- Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.
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Physical Therapist (PT) Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Physical Therapists say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Physical Therapist (PT) Jobs
- Rehabilitation Services Director
- Outpatient Physical Therapist
- Registered Physical Therapist (RPT)
- Staff Physical Therapist (Staff PT)
- Chief Physical Therapist
Job Opportunities for Physical Therapists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 239,800 jobs in the United States for Physical Therapist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 28% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 67,100 new jobs for Physical Therapist by 2026. There will be an estimated 17,700 positions for Physical Therapist (PT) per year.
The states with the most job growth for Physical Therapist (PT) are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Kansas, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Physical Therapist (PT)
The salary for Physical Therapists ranges between about $60,390 and $123,350 a year.
Physical Therapists who work in Nevada, California, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Physical Therapists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $90,620 |
| Alaska | $99,180 |
| Arizona | $88,800 |
| Arkansas | $81,430 |
| California | $97,110 |
| Colorado | $82,560 |
| Connecticut | $96,010 |
| Delaware | $93,880 |
| District of Columbia | $89,750 |
| Florida | $87,410 |
| Georgia | $86,320 |
| Hawaii | $90,540 |
| Idaho | $77,700 |
| Illinois | $90,690 |
| Indiana | $83,680 |
| Iowa | $82,960 |
| Kansas | $85,250 |
| Kentucky | $84,630 |
| Louisiana | $89,860 |
| Maine | $76,910 |
| Maryland | $85,170 |
| Massachusetts | $91,750 |
| Michigan | $91,160 |
| Minnesota | $83,750 |
| Mississippi | $89,720 |
| Missouri | $81,330 |
| Montana | $79,050 |
| Nebraska | $80,130 |
| Nevada | $107,920 |
| New Hampshire | $82,880 |
| New Jersey | $97,770 |
| New Mexico | $97,210 |
| New York | $87,470 |
| North Carolina | $87,560 |
| North Dakota | $78,120 |
| Ohio | $86,690 |
| Oklahoma | $84,860 |
| Oregon | $85,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,050 |
| Rhode Island | $83,850 |
| South Carolina | $85,450 |
| South Dakota | $76,200 |
| Tennessee | $82,920 |
| Texas | $92,940 |
| Utah | $85,940 |
| Vermont | $75,010 |
| Virginia | $91,700 |
| Washington | $85,930 |
| West Virginia | $89,420 |
| Wisconsin | $85,200 |
| Wyoming | $87,510 |
What Tools do Physical Therapists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Physical Therapists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Medical condition coding software
- Recordkeeping software
- Rehab Documentation Company ReDoc Suite
- Prognosis Innovation Healthcare ChartAccess
How to Become a Physical Therapist (PT)
What education or degrees do I need to become a Physical Therapist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
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References:
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