Kristen Bentley

Technical Writing 345

Dr. James Schirmer

Proposal: Technical Report on the Career of Physical Therapy

Introduction:
This technical report will serve as a way for individuals to learn about the many aspects of the
career of physical therapy. This report will be useful for those already interested in this field to
expand their knowledge. It will also be a way for individuals who are not familiar with this
career to gain a general understanding on what being a physical therapist is all about.

Purpose:
With a projected increase in the need for more physical therapists in the coming years, I believe
that it is important to inform individuals on what this career encompasses. If more people know
about what is involved in this career, there is more of a possibility that people will become
interested in pursuing a job in physical therapy. This will ensure that people who need care given
by physical therapists will continue to have access to people who can give them the care they
need for years to come.

Audience:
The audience for this technical report is anyone interested in the field of physical therapy as well
as those who might not have thought about physical therapy as a career choice. For those
individuals who are already interested in this career, I will supply them with information they
might not have previously known. For those individuals who are not currently interested in
pursuing a career in physical therapy, this report will provide them with a good overview on
what this career is all about.

Description:
In this technical report, I will describe many aspects involved in the career of physical therapy. I
will begin by describing what type of work physical therapists perform and go on to describe in
detail the many different types of environments they work in. Also to be discussed will be
specialty areas that physical therapists work in. I will then describe the training and
qualifications needed in order to become a physical therapist as well as classes needed in order to
graduate with a doctorate degree in physical therapy. I will list the different schools throughout
the state that offer graduate programs in physical therapy as well as licensure tests required in
order to become a licensed physical therapist. From there I will go on to describe the current
employment of physical therapists in the United States as well as the job outlook for this career
in the future. I will also discuss the average earnings of physical therapists in the many different
settings that they normally work in. From here I will detail common conditions that physical
therapists see and describe what patients should expect when they go to see a physical therapist
for the first time. I will finish the report by discussing what the future holds for this career.

Method:
In order to obtain information for this document, I will research information from many different
sources on the internet on the career of physical therapy. I also plan to talk to licensed physical
therapists to learn more about this career path and the situations they deal with on a day to day
basis.
Tentative Outline:
I. Nature of the Work
a. What physical therapists do
b. Types of people they work with
c. Different work environments
i. Hospitals
ii.Outpatient clinics
iii.Private offices

II. Specialty Areas

a. Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation
b. Pediatrics
c. Neurological
d. Geriatrics
e. Orthopedics

III. Training and Qualifications

a. Education
i. Classes required
ii.Doctorate degree needed
iii.Schools that offer physical therapy graduate program
b. Training required
c. Licensure tests

IV. Current Employment

a. Number of jobs physical therapists currently hold
b. Where greatest number of physical therapists work

V. Job Outlook
a. Employment growth
i. Much faster than average
b. Employment changes
c. Job prospects

VI. Earnings
a. Average yearly earnings for physical therapists in all settings:
i. Health care services
ii.Nursing care facilities
iii.General medical and surgical hospitals
iv.Offices of physicians
v.Offices of other health practitioners

VII. Common Conditions Seen by Physicians

a. Musculoskeletal
b. Neuromuscular
c. Workplace injuries
d. Sports injuries
 e. Etc…

VIII. What Patients Can Expect

a. Review of medical history
b. Physical examination
c. Evaluate:
i. Flexibility
ii.Strength
iii.Balance
iv.Coordination
d. Determine goals
e. Perform various exercises to improve condition

IX. Looking Into the Future

a. New developments
b. Advancements in technology and treatment

Conclusion:
When complete, this technical report will fully describe the many different aspects of the career
of physical therapy. It will encompass all areas of this field of study from the different
environments physical therapists work in to what patients should expect when going to meet with
a physical therapist for the first time. It will be a source of information for individuals who are
already interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy as well as a place where individuals
who are just curious about this career can go to obtain information.