| According to the US Department of Labor, physical | | | | doctorate in physical therapy, which usually includes |
| therapist positions are expected to increase by 27% | | | | training to give the student knowledge in biology, |
| between 2006 and 2016. As there is already a high | | | | chemistry, physics, anatomy, kinesiology, neuroscience, |
| demand for physical therapists and almost no | | | | pathology, orthopedics, radiology, pharmacology, and |
| unemployment in this field, this looks like a very | | | | therapeutic exercise. Physical therapy degrees also |
| promising field to enter into. | | | | include some supervised clinical experience. |
| The most important part of any description of a | | | | A description of a physical therapist's job should also |
| physical therapist's job involves the nature of the work | | | | include information on the various locations where a |
| a physical therapist performs. This includes diagnosing | | | | physical therapist might work. These include hospitals, |
| a patient's problem, testing to see the extent of the | | | | clinics, private homes, schools, nursing homes, |
| problem, designing a treatment plan, executing the | | | | rehabilitation centers, and private offices. Some |
| treatment plan, teaching patients exercises that are a | | | | physical therapists also teach at universities. |
| part of the treatment plan, teaching patients how to | | | | Another thing most people would look for is the |
| use any assistive devices they may need, evaluating a | | | | information on what physical therapists can expect to |
| patient's progress, referring patients to other | | | | earn. According to the US Department of Labor, the |
| professionals when the scope of the illness is outside | | | | median annual earnings for physical therapists was |
| of their experience and training, and concluding | | | | $66,200 in May 2006. Obviously this varies by |
| treatment when the patient no longer needs it. | | | | experience, location, type of position, specializations, |
| What are some general job activities that physical | | | | and the type of facility a physical therapist works for. |
| therapists perform? These include assisting and caring | | | | Another point of interest would be the physical |
| for others, getting information, establishing and | | | | therapist's job outlook. According to the US |
| maintaining interpersonal relationships, making decisions | | | | Department of Labor, the job outlook is good, with |
| and solving problems, performing general physical | | | | physical therapy jobs growing much faster than the |
| activities, analyzing data, communicating, and organizing, | | | | average. People are living longer and surviving more |
| planning and prioritizing work. | | | | serious illnesses, and this increases the demand for |
| Becoming a physical therapist requires specialized | | | | physical therapists. |
| education and knowledge. This includes a masters or | | | | |