Physical Therapy Vision Statement

Scott Balisle
Mr. Turner
GEP
November 5, 2014 A physical therapist is something that I’ve always had an interest in, since I was in High school. I was first introduced to the career when I was a freshman in high school and ever since then I’ve always thought of that as something I want to do. The vision statement for the Physical therapy profession is “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” A physical therapist has to diagnose and treat individuals of all ages that have medical problems that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their lives. They examine each individual and they develop a plan for the patient to promote the ability to move. They also work on helping reduce
pain through movement, restore function and prevent disability. On top of this, physical therapists develop fitness and wellness oriented programs for healthier lifestyles. Physical therapists work in a variety of settings; these include hospitals, private offices, schools, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, sports and fitness facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and work settings.
Most full-time physical therapists work a 40 hour week each week and depending on the therapist they also work evenings and weekends. The position is physically demanding sometimes as well. PTs often have to stoop, crouch, kneel, and stand for long periods of time. In addition they also have to be prepared to help lift the patients or help them walk, stand or turn. The education requirements for this career are not too extreme compared to some other jobs so that is another thing that interests me in regards to this career. The required education for a PT is a bachelor’s degree and gain volunteer or observation experience in the area of physical therapy. There is also a licensing requirement, these are specific to each state but must be completed in order to become a professional physical therapist. Some personality traits that are good to have in this field would be, being cool and determined, supportive and compassionate, confident and resilient, fit and health conscious, and sociable and cooperative. I believe I have all of these traits and that they will help push me and add to my ability to succeed in this
career. The salary for a basic physical trainer tops out at about $80,000 yearly and the job outlook is increasing every year; since people will not stop injuring themselves anytime soon this job will be around for a while. Several jobs are similar to physical therapist’s work; most of them also treat pain in joints, facial tissues, and muscles. Other jobs that are similar to a physical therapist are massage therapy, occupational therapy, rehab counseling, and respiratory therapy. All of these have varying requirements when it comes to education, licensing and salary. To be a physical trainer a bachelor’s degree is required and three years of experience, a few programs include this in their classes as a part of the curriculum. After the education requirements are fulfilled the next step is to apply, get hired, and start working. The typical career path for a Physical trainer varies, but most often takes this course. The entry level position depends on how much experience is had. Physical therapists usually major in biology, anatomy, or foundational science, and then they undergo a specialized training program in physical therapy as a graduate student. My reaction to this information was neutral because since I’ve known that this job was for me for a while now. This research confirmed my career choice because it reminded me why I liked this occupation so much. I like every aspect of this career except the education requirements because I would like to go to school a little less than the required amount.