PHYSICAL

THERAPIST
Lindsey Smith

NATURE OF WORK

Review patients medical history

Diagnose the patients dysfunctional movements by

observing how they walk and move
Make a plan of care for the patients based on their goals
and expected outcome of the plan
Use exercises to help ease the patients pain and help
prevent further pain or injuries

Evaluate a patients progress, modifying a plan of care and

trying new treatments if needed

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Doctor

of Physical Therapy degree (DPT)

Bachelors degree
Prerequisites- anatomy, physiology, biology,
chemistry, and physics
Courses in biomechanics, anatomy,
phycology, neurosciences and pharmacology
A clinical residency program after graduation

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Detailed

oriented
Physical Stamina- spend a lot of time on their
feet and enjoy physical activity
Dexterity- use their hands to provide manual
therapy and therapeutic exercises
Impersonal skills
Resourcefulness- customize treatment plans
for patients

JOB OUTLOOK
Demand

will come from baby boomers, who

stay active
Older people who have had heart attacks,
strokes, and mobility injuries
People with chronic conditions
Federal health insurance reform
Newborns with birth defects

POTENTIAL EARNINGS NOW AND IN

THE FUTURE
Median

annual wage in 2012 was $79,860

The lowest 10% earned was $55,670
The top 10% was more than $112,020

SIMILAR OCCUPATIONS
Audiologist
Chiropractor
Occupational

therapists

PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT

NATURE OF WORK
Review

patients medical histories

Conduct physical exams to check patients
health
Order and interpret tests
Make diagnoses for the patient
Prescribe medicine if needed

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Social

science classes
Math classes and science classes
Masters degree
Healthcare related work experience
Bachelors degree

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Communication

skills

Compassion
Detail

orientated
Problem-solving skills
Emotional Stability

JOB OUTLOOK
Growing

and aging of the population

Large baby boom ages
Chronic diseases
Federal health insurance reform
Routine care

POTENTIAL EARNINGS NOW AND IN

FUTURE
median

annual wage was $90,930 in 2012

The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$62,430
top 10 percent earned more than $124,770

RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Audiologist
Occupational
Paramedics

therapists

WORKS CITED
Volume

5: Career Articles Phy-Z

Encyclopedia of courses and vocational
guidance. New York: InfoBase Publishing,
2008. Print.
Physician Assistants. bls. n.p., 8 Jan. 2014.
Web. 16 April. 2015.
Physical Therapists. bls. n.p., 8 Jan. 2014.
Web. 16 April. 2015.