Physical Therapy Jobs and Careers

Physical Therapy Jobs: Forming Healing Relationships

"Physical therapists form relationships with their patients that can go on for years," says Colleen Harper, Chief of Physical Therapy at LaRabida Hospital. "The relationship is a key part of the healing process." For Harper, the opportunity to work directly with patients and see real improvements are especially satisfying elements of her physical therapy job.

New physical therapists look forward to independent and flexible careers. Siobhan O'Donnell, who is completing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, notes some of the perks of physical therapy jobs, "It's a great job, where you can enjoy going to work every day. And it's a good profession for women, especially women who want to have children. There's a lot of flexibility in the scheduling, and women get support and promotions. And the pay is good!" O'Donnell anticipates a starting salary between $52,000 and $60,000.

Treating Patients

Physical therapists (PTs) treat patients who are suffering from physical injuries or disabilities by teaching them various therapeutic exercises and activities that strengthen muscles, improve mobility and relieve pain. Their patients include accident victims and clients with such conditions as burns, amputations, stroke, vertigo, low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries and cerebral palsy.

The patient treatment aspect of physical therapy jobs involves several different tasks. PTs develop a rehabilitation plan and provide ongoing evaluations based on their patients' activities and progress. PTs assist patients in a wide range of activities ranging from teaching a patient to walk again after an head-injury, to helping an athlete improve his physical performance on the playing field. For a patient recovering from a serious injury or disease, the PT will help reduce the patient's pain and increase the patient's strength, endurance and stability. In addition to treatments given in the office, PTs work with the patient to develop a home therapy program.

Benefits of Physical Therapy Jobs

PTs often tout the flexibility and independence physical therapy jobs offer. "You have a lot of control over how much you work, when you work, plus you get professional respect. You get to make important decisions," says Colleen Harper, Chief of Physical Therapy at LaRabida Hospital.

Helping People

Direct patient relationships are central to physical therapy jobs and provide some of its most satisfying moments. Colleen Harper reports that the babies she worked with years ago come back to visit her as young adults. In pediatric physical therapy, the relationships include working with parents and siblings to help them resolve problems and extend the therapeutic process into daily life.

"Being able to answer questions and allay some fears is very satisfying. It's a nice feeling when someone comes in a complete nervous wreck and leaves feeling like they've been understood and they're going to get help." Siobhan O'Donnell agrees. "I had a patient, a little girl with cerebral palsy who was having trouble standing and walking. We tried a new thing, and she was able to take her first steps using a walker. Her mom was there, and her mom had never seen her walk. That was so exciting, for them and for me."

Physical Work

Both physical therapists and physical therapy assistants need to be capable of the physical work involved in standing, kneeling and moving patients directly. While satisfying, the work can be tiring. "It can be hard in the winter, when I'm driving to see six patients a day," says Maria Molech, a physical therapy assistant. "The physical part of the job can make you tired, especially when you work with adults who need a lot of support."

Opportunties for PTAs

Physical therapy assistants must work under the supervision of a physical therapist, carrying out the treatment plans, working directly with patients in clinics and patients' homes. The opportunities for assistants are terrific. "Any assistant who walks out of a community college now has no problem getting a job. People can get cash bonuses, a travel allowance, and even 6 weeks of paid vacation. Assistants are so productive that they are tremendously valuable to organizations," says Harper.

The Value of Diversity

Professionals in physical therapy jobs serve people from every cultural background, ethnicity and income level. Diversity of background and experience is highly valued within the field, and cultural competence and non-biased attitudes are core values of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The APTA works to encourage people from a variety of ethnic background to enter the field. Their Web site provides valuable resources for both professionals in the field and those thinking of entering it.

Enjoying People

Flexibility, good communication skills and enjoying people, are key to success in this field. "You have to be optimistic, and open to change," says Maria Molech. "We can't give up on each other."