Premium Essay

Physical Therapists

In: People

Submitted By AnastasiaJ
Words 493
Pages 2
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists, also known as PTs, diagnose and treat anyone who has medical problems regarding health conditions that limit their abilities to move and function properly in their everyday lives. The work of physical therapists is to help patients who are disabled, victims of accidents and individuals of numerous other different situations. Physical therapists develop treatment techniques after examining an individual to encourage the ability to move, reduce pain, and prevent disability. PTs provide treatments to individuals of all age who experience back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and spina bifida, and injuries related to work and sports. Physical therapists often consult and practice with numerous other care givers including: dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and physicians. Physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages from the very youngest newborn to the very oldest elder. Physical therapists work in a variety of places, such as hospitals, private offices, and outpatient clinics. The work physical therapists do tends to get physically demanding. They move heavy equipment, stand for long periods and lift and move patients. Physical therapists have to stoop, crouch, land, and kneel. The average physical therapist works 40+ hours a week. Their schedule often times varieties on when their patients are available. Today, to pursue this profession, one would need a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited physical therapy program. The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education accredits academic programs in physical therapy at an entry-level. Master’s degree programs last normally two to two and a half years, while doctoral programs last three years. Physical

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Physical Therapists

...Brett Sears, PT writes Physical Therapists are licensed professionals who work with people that have sustained disabilities, impairments, or limitations in their overall physical function and mobility. To become a successful physical therapist, one needs to consider educational requirements, job opportunities, and financial opportunities. Physical Therapists are required to take a number of courses, obtain licenses, and successfully pass exams. The University of Berkeley believes to become a successful Pre-Physical Therapy major one must take the following courses: two semesters of General Chemistry, Biology, and Physics with a lab, one semester of Human Anatomy and Physiology with a lab, two semesters of English, and one semester of Statistics,...

Words: 549 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Physical Therapist Assistant

...Physical Therapist Assistant A physical therapist assistant, or PTA, is someone who works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Since they are involved in the direct care of the patients, they observe them before therapy as well as during the therapy, instructing and helping the patients with specific exercises such as stretches and other therapy techniques. After the treatment, the PTA then records the patient’s response to the therapy and reports the results back to the physical therapist (Bureau). There are a variety of settings a physical therapist assistant can work in. 72% of all PTA’s work in hospitals or privately owned physical therapy practices (“Physical”). Others work in home health, schools, and rehab units. The vast majority of PTA’s work full time and the therapy offices have hours that best match the personal schedules of the patients’. PTA’s are likely to encounter occupational musculoskeletal injuries during their career. The most common is with the upper and lower parts of the back due to strenuous activity (“Bureau”). In order to apply for a physical therapist assistant position you must be graduated with an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program and be licensed. Licensure for a physical therapist assistant normally requires the passing of the Physical National Physical Therapy Exam (“Physical”). Some states require additional state-administered exams as well as taking continuing education courses. But in others...

Words: 718 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Becoming A Physical Therapist Essay

...Have you ever wondered how it would be like if you were a physical therapist? Physical Therapist are like super heros they help people by gaining something they’ve lost. After comparing University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Univeristy Of The Incarnate Word and Texas Woman University based on my criteria of the tuition cost , distance from home, and admission requirements University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley would be the best choice in helping me persue a career in Physical Therapy. When choosing a college people must be mindful of it’s location. “ A Physical Therapist is a professionl who help injured or ill people improve their movements and manage their pain” (bls.gov). Entering a Physical Therapy career can open up to different other job opportunities. According to Department of Biology , biomedical scientist, forensic scientist, healthcare scientist ( UTRGV) also others like Biologist technician, nutritionist education...

Words: 497 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: A Career As A Physical Therapist

...The Physical Therapist job description starts with being a health care provider first and foremost. As a Physical Therapist the primary focus is on relieving the patient’s pain as prescribed by the doctor. The Physical Therapist and patient work as a team to restore the patient’s function, mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. Physical Therapists will communicate with doctors on the patient’s progress or lack of progress and make adjustments. Physical therapists will shorten a patient’s recovery period by providing the correct physical therapy treatment allowing patients to get back to their normal life as quick as possible. Every patient is different. Patients will have lots of questions that will...

Words: 852 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Physical Therapists

...patients. The end results are the most important; showing how someone got from post- operation to running and playing their sport. Physical therapists retrain bodies providing patients with the ability to lead productive lives. The definition according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook:” Physical Therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions...

Words: 779 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Physical Therapist Assistant

...Every time I am asked, “Why do you want to be a Physical Therapist Assistant”, I take a moment to respond. For me, there isn’t a right way to really answer such a question. Since middle school I have felt a pull towards physical therapy. From being involved in a bad car accident, which required physical therapy, thereafter, to playing sports, and getting dings here and there, even being lucky enough to know two of my grandparents and have watched their battle against time. I saw the frustration they encounter as they feel pummeled by agony and the inability to operate as they did when they were younger. While watching some of their physical therapy sessions, I have witnessed firsthand how a person can restore their bodies as well as their confidence,...

Words: 419 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

A Career As A Physical Therapist

...five years ago, I was your average middle school student. I began to ponder my future aspirations in life and the more I thought about my options, the more indecisive I became. Luckily to me, my local High School’s HCA (Health Careers Academy) program came to my school and explained their organization. Prior to their presentation, I hadn’t thoughtfully considered a career in the health field nor did I fully perceive the immense impact it could have on the lives of others. After obtaining key information about careers in the health field, I opted into the program as a Freshman in High School. This decision affected my life drastically as it provided a strong foundation in shaping my future. Furthermore, I am pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist. The main reason is because it warms my heart to be able to help someone. During the summer of my transition from a high school Sophomore to a Junior, I volunteered at NorthBay Hospital in the Rehabilitation Facility. I assisted patients in exercise plans and was there for moral support when they needed a simple conversation to get them through the day. I grew attached to the field as well as the feeling I got from knowing I was making a meaningful difference in a patient’s life. My top priority is to impact the life of someone in need, no matter what road I take to achieve that goal. I know I will always be involved in community service throughout my life, whether on campus during college or a soup kitchen when I am retired. One...

Words: 633 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Physical Therapist Personal Statement

...Physical therapists are all leaders in the optimization of movement in a variety of patient populations. Each physical therapist brings a unique set of values and skills that collectively enhance the APTA vision. As an aspiring physical therapist, I have been given invaluable experiences and adversities that have given me collaborative skills, a desire to innovate, and empathy and compassion in order to “improve the human experience.” Collaboration is a necessary principle to embody the APTA vision. A physical therapist will need to interact with patients and other medical personnel in a variety of ways in order to improve the patient’s outcomes. Patients will come from many different backgrounds, ages, and levels of motivation...

Words: 856 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

I Want To Be A Physical Therapist

...longer become an athletic trainer and had to change my career path, I would become a physical therapist because it is the next thing close to it. Athletic Training has been what I wanted to do for such a long time, I love the sports aspect and being able to interact with people, so the next best thing for me would be physical therapy. I would still be able to help people with sports related injuries, and many other injuries at that, and still be able to have that sense of helping people and making their lives just that much easier, which in the long run is all that I want. I do not see it as such a career change since they are very similar, I would just have to cope with the idea that I cannot work hands on with a team or school, and have to work at an office with my patients. This is something that might take a while for me to cope with, having a dream for so long and then having it taken away and being told to go down a different path cannot be easy. It would be a big transition, depending on how far down the AT track I am that I have to switch. If the switch is happening near the beginning, then I will eventually be okay with it because I will have the time to get over it. But if the transition were to happen later on in my college...

Words: 599 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Informative Essay: The Creation Of A Physical Therapist

...ENG 0.89 Lina Acheampong Professor Thompson Physical Therapist Essay A physical therapist is a professional who helps injured or sick people improve their movement and manage their pain. According to author Olga Dreeben from the University of North Texas “The creation of a physical therapist is centered on two major events in U.S history: The Poliomyelitis epidemics and the negative effects of World War 1 and World War 2”. The profession can be compared with a living entity, changing from an undeveloped, young occupation in its formative years (1914-1920) to a firm, growing establishment in its developing years (1920 to 1940). As a mature profession, during its fundamental accomplishment years (1940 to 970), physical therapy...

Words: 862 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: A Career As A Physical Therapist

...in a more workplace like or industrial scenario, there is an environment like that for this field as well. Therapists in this setup, help employees return to work from injury or to improve their health, improve safety, and increase productivity in their workplace (Brightfind 2017). This wouldn’t be a job you can find in a smaller town so if a bigger city isn’t part of the plan, this isn’t the right job choice. This might not be such a rarity in a bigger city. If you are searching for a way to serve your country or your service men and women, local, state, and federal government employs physical therapists to do various things for them. There are federal agencies like the Veteran’s Health Administration, the VHA, and the Department...

Words: 1322 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Physical Therapist Assistant Essay Examples

...to do in life. I choose to pursue Physical therapist assistant which it is a reason why I want to help people, be more responsible, give good attitude to the patients. Next 5 years I will be working in different states at hospital or clinic. I may change to undecided major whether if I want to pursue different major. According to Occupational outlook handbook” Physical therapist assistant observe the patients before, during and after therapy; making notes patient’s status and report it to a physical therapist.’’. Patients were using the variety of techniques by physical therapist assistant and physical therapist use equipment for a therapy. The treatment helps educate patients and family members what to do after being treated. It is important for patient’s exercises every day and loses little bit weight. Physical therapist assistant always keeps updated with their patients to see how they doing. I want to pursue physical therapist assistant as my career and...

Words: 976 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Occupational Therapy

...Introduction According to the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, occupational therapy is a profession which is concerned with the promotion of well-being and health of individuals through engaging them in occupation. It is a holistic healthcare profession with an aim to promote health in individuals by enabling them to perform purposeful and meaningful activities across their lifespan. Occupational therapist by using different treatments help their patients with a mental, physical or developmental conditions to recover, develop or maintain daily work and life skills in themselves. OT is client-centered and see client as an integral part in the process of Occupational therapy. Therapist gives individualized attention and evaluation to his/her client or clients (individual and families) in learning the current state of affairs and the desired state of affairs in client’s life. occupational therapist learn about the goals his/her client is trying to achieve (desired state of affairs) uses his experience and judgment to alter the goals if necessary and align them with the abilities and resources clients hold to achieve them or help clients achieve the necessary skills and knowledge required to achieve his goals. Occupational therapy services may include comprehensive evaluations of the client’s home and other environments (e.g. workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, and guidance and education for family members...

Words: 3290 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Mental Health

...this ideal. While survivors of mental illness are encouraged to disclose related concerns to their employer, such sharing of personal information remains daunting. Similarly, employers attempting to assist the process are often awed by the extent of collaborations involved in integrating employees with mental health issues back to work as well as concern about compliance with human rights legislation. Needed accommodations in terms of approach to the work itself are often simple; however substantiating the need for adjustments is more complex. This case study introduces a model to support the development of shared goals and shared understandings for return to work (RTW) among workers with mental health concerns, employers, co-workers and therapists. The model of occupational competence is used as a basis to guide dialogue, identify challenges and generate solutions that take into consideration a worker’s preferences, sensitivities, culture and capacities in relationship to the occupational demands in a given workplace environment. A case study is used to demonstrate the potential utility of the model in assisting stakeholders to strengthen collaborations and partnering to achieve a shared understanding of worker and workplace needs. 1. Introduction Disclosure of mental health issues in the workplace is influenced by multiple factors including intrinsic and extrinsic issues. While there is legislation that protects a worker’s right not to disclose health information in the workplace...

Words: 4133 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Dental Professionals

...Eng 112-online | A Mandatory Oath Within the Dental Field | Persuasive Final Essay | | AnnaMarie Lopez | 6/17/2010 | A Mandatory Oath Within the Dental Field The Health Care profession is a rapidly growing industry with the dental field as a major part. It is often difficult to select a personal dental office from the many that are available based not only on skill, but honesty and integrity from the entire staff. All dental professionals should be required to take an oath of ethics and professionalism to ensure this professionalism. This can be beneficial for several reasons, but most importantly, to allow patients to feel more comfortable and confident in the choice they have made to entrust a dental office. Patient care should always be the main focus of any practice. Many staff members throughout the dental office are responsible for providing this. Most offices consist not only of a Dentist, but also an assistant who is commonly referred to as an RDA, CDA or DA. These vary from Registered Dental Assistant, to Certified Dental Assistant to Dental Assistant and differ based upon allowable duties or functions they are able to perform. To become “registered” or “certified”, successful completion of an exam is required, however an oath is not. These assistants often work directly with the patients just as much as the dentist, if not more. To ensure assistants also maintain patient care as a priority, the requirement...

Words: 888 - Pages: 4