Is Physical Therapy a good career choice?

[rluey29]

I'm thinking of going into Physical Therapy and was looking for people who may already have chosen that path or know someone who has and could give me insight.

I'd like to know if the love their job, any cons that I should know about, is the salary appropriate for the responsibilities, do employers typically give vacations and benefits, and anything else I should know.

Thanks!

 

[horseshowmom]

I'm in Mississippi, and it's a very lucrative position in our area. The PTs that I know really enjoy their jobs (both the job itself and the monetary compensation as well).

The occupational therapist is a master's degree program while the physical therapist is a doctorate (3 years post baccalaureate).

I believe that admission process can be very competitive.

I took the following from the Univ. of Miss. Medical Center site:

The physical therapist is a health care practitioner who examines, designs, and implements physical therapy interventions for person of all ages in order to improve or maintain endurance, muscle strength and mobility, and relieve pain and prevent disability due to disease, injury, loss of a body part, or birth defects. The therapist helps the individual prevent problems and overcome disabilities through the use of exercise, education, assistive devices, mobilization, water, cold, electricity, ultrasound and massage. Psychological, sociological and economic factors must be considered while treating an individual. Employment opportunities include hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, industry, research centers, health maintenance organizations, sports medicine centers, nursing homes, community centers, wellness centers, outpatient clinics and school settings. The physical therapy profession offers opportunities for advancement in the areas of education, clinical specialization, management, consultation and research.

 

[minkydog]

There are also degree programs for physical therapy and occupational therapy assistants. They help the PT or OT execute the program and do a lot of the same things, but without the added education. Kinda like the difference between an RN and an LPN.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Depends on the area somewhat, but almost everywhere I know, SLP and OTs are in extreme demand. Not hearing the same for PTs, but it is a great field also.

 

[minkydog]

Depends on the area somewhat, but almost everywhere I know, SLP and OTs are in extreme demand. Not hearing the same for PTs, but it is a great field also.

I see a lot of these kinds of jobs in high demand. Speech/Language, OT/PT, Xray tech, nursing, nutritionists--all of these fields used to be relegated primarily to in-hospital usage. But now most of them are primarily out-patient. As the population ages, they will need more and more support so that they can stay in their homes rather than in a hospital or long-term care. That's what make the healthcare nearly recession-proof: people are always going to need care, therapy, tests and treatments. An aging population needs more than a younger population.

 

[Serena]

I know of a pt in miami. He makes a lot of money. He knows spanish fluently and gets a lot of business for that as well. He says older people paid for his new house and inground pool.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Physical therapist are not really in demand here in Pittsburgh, plus the requirement degree keeps going up.

When I worked as a visited nurse many moons ago , most of our PT's had bachelors. Now almost all require Masters. And according to my neighbor up the street, her place of work is really pushing for her to go back and get a doctorate.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I see a lot of these kinds of jobs in high demand. Speech/Language, OT/PT, Xray tech, nursing, nutritionists--all of these fields used to be relegated primarily to in-hospital usage. But now most of them are primarily out-patient. As the population ages, they will need more and more support so that they can stay in their homes rather than in a hospital or long-term care. That's what make the healthcare nearly recession-proof: people are always going to need care, therapy, tests and treatments. An aging population needs more than a younger population.

So, So True. As frustrating as being in healthcare, can be, at least I will always have a job. We are finding it much harder to find OT, and SLP in this area (MD), and in Ohio I know it is the same. They are basically naming their price.

In my area it's not only the aging population. We are getting just as many <50 patients, admitted short term for therapy. It's crazy, the increase in younger pts. But that's another topic.

OP--good luck w/ your decision. Therapy is a great profession

 

[smi727]

If you are serious about a career in physical therapy, consider getting your bachelor's in Athletic Training instead of Biology or another field. As an AT major, you will learn how to prevent, recognize, and rehabilitate injuries which will give you a major leg up on the other PT students. Plus, Athletic Training, in and of itself, is a fantastic career! Go to www.nata.org for more info. I've been certified for six years now and I love it! PM me with any questions!

 

[dejr_8]

The PT I see runs her own shop. She was telling me how she is getting squeezed by the insurance companies cutting back on her reimbursement rates. This could be a problem that all medical providers are experiencing.

 

[mamajoan]

hi, I am a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. It is a two year degree. I graduated from Southern Illinois University way back in 1979. I had a wonderful career that allowed me to work anywhere and everywhere. As a PTA I carried out all phases of treatment plans under the supervision of an RPT which is now a doctorate... when I began it was a BS.. then a MS.. now a doctorate... Anyway... PTA can not do evaluations only the RPT can do evals. Due to my husbands military career we moved often.. so I was able to have a varied career. I worked in hospitals, inpatient clinics, out patient clinics, skilled nursing and homecare. Different states require different levels of supervision from the RPT. I enjoyed my career. I enjoyed having direct contact with patients everyday.
If you would like more information please pm me.

 

[Buckalew11]

If you are serious about a career in physical therapy, consider getting your bachelor's in Athletic Training instead of Biology or another field. As an AT major, you will learn how to prevent, recognize, and rehabilitate injuries which will give you a major leg up on the other PT students. Plus, Athletic Training, in and of itself, is a fantastic career! Go to www.nata.org for more info. I've been certified for six years now and I love it! PM me with any questions!

This is interesting to think about for our daughter. She is 15 and is definitely thinking about what she wants to do "when she grows up."
She thinks she wants to be an orthopedic surgeon. Or an AT or PT.

At this point she says her major will be Biology but that is because the surgeon is #1 on her list at this stage.

My BIL is an AT and loves it--however, when you do it at the HS level it is a very time consuming job with all the different sports and seasons.
DD has been a HS student AT for a few years now. She loves that and has even given up basketball herself for the AT part of this for all sports. She also helps at the college level in D-lll.

Thanks for sharing this info though. We'll keep this in mind as time goes on for her.

 

[monkey68]

This is interesting to think about for our daughter. She is 15 and is definitely thinking about what she wants to do "when she grows up."
She thinks she wants to be an orthopedic surgeon. Or an AT or PT.

At this point she says her major will be Biology but that is because the surgeon is #1 on her list at this stage.

My BIL is an AT and loves it--however, when you do it at the HS level it is a very time consuming job with all the different sports and seasons.
DD has been a HS student AT for a few years now. She loves that and has even given up basketball herself for the AT part of this for all sports. She also helps at the college level in D-lll.

Thanks for sharing this info though. We'll keep this in mind as time goes on for her.

Not to take this too off topic, but she doesn't need to be a biology major to get into medical school (which is where she would need to go to become a surgeon). You can major in anything and get into med school, as long as you take the pre-reqs. Some people will even say it's an advantage if you major in something besides bio for med school, because every year, they get so many applicants that were biology majors, a different major will help set her apart. One of my friends is at the top of the class, and she was a Spanish major in college.

As for the original question, I think you'll find that salary depends on location. There are many opportunities to work in many different environments. If you work in the school system, you'll work school hours, which means you'll get the same vacations as well, and good benefits. You might work more hours in a PT office, when I was in PT, my therapist was telling me it's not unusual for him to work 12 hour days a few times a week. Mostly that was because their client base was more acute injury recovery from younger adults that were still working and could only afford to go to PT after work. There really weren't many elderly at this practice. So they had to base their working hours around when the patients would go to them.

 

[Saphire]

I'd like to know if the love their job, any cons that I should know about, is the salary appropriate for the responsibilities, do employers typically give vacations and benefits, and anything else I should know.

Yes, I can say that I have loved my job for the past 25 years. (yikes!) Some of the qualities you must have to succeed are patience, kindness, compassion and professionalism. It is a service job, a job where a lot is required of your body and your mind. Some days I come home completely spent and exhausted... it requires stamina, good health, and a desire to help people get their own bodies back to a good, functional level.
The cons: it tends to invite 'burn out'. There are many people that leave the profession or move up to administrative positions because being on the front lines is hard. I have always worked part time so that has helped, but it can be a grueling profession depending on what area you choose.
Most facilites (hospitals, rehabs, out patient clinics, etc.) give good benefits. The money is excellent and it is a solid profession, I have always had people looking to hire me vs. the other way around. But you shouldn't go into it unless you have a caring heart and a giving nature. And patients can tell the difference right away, they deserve people serving them for the right reasons. Good Luck!

 

[Aristomommy]

It really depends on your location, or willingness to move, but PT is in high demand for many areas of the country. I live in Northeast Ohio and I could walk into a new job very easily because there is such a shortage. Most full time positions offer $5-10k sign on bonus or tuition reimbursement for new grads. I also have PT/OT friends who are travelers, meaning they take a 12 week assignment at a different facility eather locally or some travel all over the country. They make much more than regular staff does. Salary varies by geographical location, type of practice (private practice, nursing homes, hospitals etc) and years of experience.

The one thing I love about PT is the flexibility. I have worked full time, part time and PRN depending on the age of my kids. I can work during the day, evening or weekends to suit my family's lifestyle. I make a great income and I get to be home when my kids are home from school.

Best thing to do is to go shadow a PT and see if the career is for you. That way you can get a feel for local programs (Master's vs. doctorate) and how much demand there is in the area.

 

[minkydog]

If you are serious about a career in physical therapy, consider getting your bachelor's in Athletic Training instead of Biology or another field. As an AT major, you will learn how to prevent, recognize, and rehabilitate injuries which will give you a major leg up on the other PT students. Plus, Athletic Training, in and of itself, is a fantastic career! Go to www.nata.org for more info. I've been certified for six years now and I love it! PM me with any questions!

I'm doing some PT now for an injured post-tibial tendon and I see an Athletic Trainer. I've had several for various injuries to back, knee, foot and hand. She's as good as any PT I've ever had.

 

[rluey29]

These are some great replies. I'm glad to hear that it is a solid career choice. I'm 20 hours away from getting my Bachelors in Biology. I'm also 32 and a mother of two kids so choosing the right path immediately is important to me. I don't have alot of time to jump around (ha).

 

[Aristomommy]

I'm doing some PT now for an injured post-tibial tendon and I see an Athletic Trainer. I've had several for various injuries to back, knee, foot and hand. She's as good as any PT I've ever had.

In most states it is illegal for a AT to conduct PT. The only way most places get around it is by treating the AT as an unlicensed tech. There are many ATs that would be good in rehab, but their license isn't intended for that. Sorry for going off topic, but this is one of my pet peeves about people trying to work outside their education. Billing for it is in many cases fraudulent, since ins. will only pay for a PT or PTA interventions.

 

[TheDarkwingDuck]

Congrats and good luck to everyone

 

[golfgal]

If you are serious about a career in physical therapy, consider getting your bachelor's in Athletic Training instead of Biology or another field. As an AT major, you will learn how to prevent, recognize, and rehabilitate injuries which will give you a major leg up on the other PT students. Plus, Athletic Training, in and of itself, is a fantastic career! Go to www.nata.org for more info. I've been certified for six years now and I love it! PM me with any questions!

I agree with this. It will be easier to get into PT school with an athletic trainer background. PT school, at least in our area, is very competitive. One college near us has a combined ATC program and PT program. You get your undergrad in Athletic Training and a Master's in PT in 5 years. Keep in mind most PT's will have a masters degree so she should plan on that route.