Is Physical Therapy a good career choice?

[stego]

a lady in the office tried really, really hard to get into a PT program to a university in the area. She is super smart and put her nose to the grindstone...and she DIDN'T get in. She was very visibly upset and beat down.

I did do the PTA program in the 80's and was ALMOST through it...with 1 semester to go and then we did a class with severe wound patients. They showed a number of slides and I lost it...I ran out because it was too much. These folks need PT and I didn't have the stomach for it. The lady in the office told me they have to work with cadavers as part of the program.

So...consider these facts as well.

 

[dawnsb]

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.

I spent 13 years as a software engineer and was laid off in February. I will be starting the PTA program at my community college in a month. I'm looking forward to the challenge of going back to school and getting into a profession that has so many opportunities to help people. Since I'm collecting unemployment I had to go to the local employment office and this profession is one of the high demand areas that is expected to grow in the coming years.

Dawn

 

[Pigeon]

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good resource for getting an overview of different careers. It lists educational requirements, typical salaries and forecasts demand. For PT, see http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm

 

[rluey29]

Yes I've heard that the schools are very competitive. To top it off I'm applying to schools that aren't in my home state because we want to relocate. My husband is a teacher and I'm hoping that if he gets a job in a public school then they'll give me resident status and I'll have a better chance.

 

[GottaGetToDisney!]

I made the decision 2 years ago to go back to school and get my degree in PTA. I knew I wanted to do something in the health field (job security), have a position where I could help people, and get paid more than I make in my current career (which is not too difficult considering I'm in the travel business).

It is supposed to be a 2 year degree, but since I'm working and going to school it will a full 5 1/2 years for me by the time I graduate. But hey, that's alright! 2012 is coming anyway, so I may as well be working to reach a goal as I go along for the next couple of years, right?

Just be aware: it IS a super, super, super competitive program! At least at my school it is. They only take 26 students, once a year. Last year they had over 200 applicants. They only take the best of the best and look specifically at your grades in science and math, which was difficult for me because those are not my strong points. So far, though, I'm holding steady with my 4.0 gpa but I devote lots and lots of time to studying. If I can do this (and I'm over 40!) then anyone can!

Good Luck to you!!!

Gotta Get To Disney!

 

[browneyes106]

One of my parents' neighbor is a physical therapist and he makes good money. He works for two different hospitals. He works at 2 days one and 3 days at the other.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I received a BS in physical therapy in 1975. Never had trouble finding work but it is not as plentiful now as in 1975. DH is also in health care and we told both of our kids not to go into any health care until the reimbusrement issues are resolved. I am so tired of all the hoops you have to jump through to get paid by insurances and medicare. (Don't start me on national health care.) I like my patients but the rest of it is wearing me down.

 

[rluey29]

I made the decision 2 years ago to go back to school and get my degree in PTA. I knew I wanted to do something in the health field (job security), have a position where I could help people, and get paid more than I make in my current career (which is not too difficult considering I'm in the travel business).

Just be aware: it IS a super, super, super competitive program! At least at my school it is. They only take 26 students, once a year. Last year they had over 200 applicants. They only take the best of the best and look specifically at your grades in science and math, which was difficult for me because those are not my strong points. So far, though, I'm holding steady with my 4.0 gpa but I devote lots and lots of time to studying. If I can do this (and I'm over 40!) then anyone can!

Gotta Get To Disney!

The thought hadn't crossed my mind about trying for the PTA program. That may be an option!

 

[princess momma]

One of my college roomies had all A's through his undergrad work, but was not accepted into the physical therapy program. I can't remember what his major was, now.

That was a few years ago, I don't know if it's gotten any better, but PT programs are very competitive.

 

[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.[/QUOTE

okie dokie.. third time is a charm

Since you are from Arkansas... check out Southern Illinois Universiy's PTA program. It has been known to be a top program for decades.
Programs are competitive.. and they are not only looking at the folks with high GPA's.

As a PTA you can not supervise and you can not do evals. The level of supervision required by the RPT varies from state to state.
All fields of PT are open to you. .. every thing from Burn care, peds, SNF, outpatient, ortho, neuro, Home Care.. what ever you like to do
You do direct patient care... consistently. imho the bureaucracy is much less for a PTA than a RPT. You are a valued member of a rehab team, working closely with other professionals like OT's SLP's, Nursing etc.
While direct patient care is the mainstay, you are not limited. I did things like back office manager, developed PTA programs, instructor for body mechanic group programs, new employee instruction, on call traction set ups, regional occupational career program involvement for therapy aides. not my resume.. LOL...I just want folks to know that being a PTA is a great career option.
The money ... good.. hec.. dang good for an AAS/AA degree. Schedule--- depends.. but I don't know any PTA's working nights. You can work full or part time, weekends come with some opportunities.

Check it out.. the doors are wide open

Can you tell I loved my career!

 

[golfgal]

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.

Wow, that is news to me. I have never heard of an AT not being able to do PT, what exactly do AT's do in your state? In my AT coursework a good majority of the coursework and testing consisted of PT and rehabbing. In fact, in the definition of what an AT does is to evaluate, treat and rehab injuries. None of the sports medicine clinics or hospitals I know of that use AT's, which is all of them, have to treat AT's as unlicensed techs and most, if not all AT's would be very upset with this classification because they ARE certified and have a 4 year degree to do what they do.

 

[mamajoan]

In all the places that I have worked.. AT's were PT aides. That would have been Hawaii, California and Illinois.. All were in outpatient clinics to get experience to get into PT school. The other AT's I knew worked at colleges and fitness centers.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

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.

Yes, I already think it is "official" that you have to get your Masters now.

 

[mamacatnv]

My DS is a Community Health Sciences major with a minor in Biology, he has the goal of becomming a PT. Its a 3 year doctorate program (post bachelors) It is my understanding that the national requirements have increased in the past few years thus the differences of opinions on what a PTA is vs an AT vs a fully licensed PT.

When DS first started looking at PT as a career I believe it was a Masters program, now it is a 3 year doctorate program.

He is a Jr. in college but due to a very late declaration of major he is on the 4.5-5 year bachelors plan meanwhile he volunteers at a PT clinic on a regular basis and is researching PT schools for his Doctorate program.

I was in PT in January for knee issues again. My PT is also married to a PT and he told me that between the 2 of them they receive at least 1 call a day with either a job opening, a job offer or from a recruiter.

The Dept. of Labor (statistics) notes it as a very good field to go into. The amazing thing about the PT field is the diversity that is under the PT umbrella.

I look at my insurance statements, I will say my insurance in general really doesn't pay my Dr. all that much but they still pay out so hefty bucks to the PT's. Considering my PT might be juggling 4-5 patients an hour it really is mind boggling when you start doing the math.
My PT bills out at $175 a session and my insurance pays out $90, I pay a $40 co-pay. My former PT a year ago billed at $150 per session, my insurance paid $110 and I paid $15.
Anyway you slice it they are bringing in about $125 a person per session and around here it takes a week or 2 just to get into see a PT, they are booked solid.

 

[Andres22]

Hmm this is very good carrier i do have adopt it years ago but in the start u have to hard work i start this work in a local hospital now im running my own clinic and im doing very good in Houston......

 

[daughtersrus]

I'm speaking as a mom of a DD that's been in PT for 16 years(with the same therapist ) and not a PT

In IL, you need a doctorate to be a PT.

Our PT said that she loves her job because of the flexibility. You can work in many different settings (hospital, school, in homes, clinics...) and with many different types of clients (elderly, school age, infants, athletes...). For her, working in a school setting was great when her children were young because they followed the school schedule. They are in such high demand that she could pick up extra money working weekends or nights if she needed.

The pay here is very good.

 

[sheranudeep]

While selecting the school , make sure that the school is recognized . and if you are looking for least expensive schools , then you can find them in texas . here schools are good as well as cheap .

 

[CPT Tripss]

Yes, I already think it is "official" that you have to get your Masters now.

Actually, if one is starting out now, a Doctorate is required to get licensed as a PT. Most schools require a BA/BS and then 3 years in PT Doc program. A very few offer a 6 year Program that awards the DPT. http://www.usciences.edu/academics/collegesDepts/pt/AdmissionOptions/direct.aspx

 

[DharmaLou]

Actually, if one is starting out now, a Doctorate is required to get licensed as a PT. Most schools require a BA/BS and then 3 years in PT Doc program. A very few offer a 6 year Program that awards the DPT. http://www.usciences.edu/academics/collegesDepts/pt/AdmissionOptions/direct.aspx

I don't know any PT schools that still offers MAPT programs. They are all DPT programs now.

 

[Carole]

My DD is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Intense 3 year program then you must pass a state examination to practice. Courses included work on cadavers and weeks spent away from campus working in different clinics. She has been very successful in finding employment opportunities.