Sports Physical Therapy Career Paper

Career Research Paper The first time I ever thought about the career of Sports Physical Therapy was after I had gotten my first ankle injury playing soccer. I was out for about a month and even though I did not visit a physical therapist, I wondered what it would be like to work with athletes who are injured and seeing how the therapist helps the athletes recover. I am now also taking a class at school called Sports Medicine wherein we assess different severities of injuries and figure out what the best treatment for the athlete is. The class is very informative, and another key component in my wanting to pursue a career in Sports Physical Therapy. This paper will go in-depth on how to start a career in Sports Physical Therapy, from
the beginning of school all the way to potentially opening up your very own clinic. Physical therapists have many obligations to help the injured athlete improve therir movement, prevent future injuries, manage pain, and return to full fitness (Physical Therapists). They conduct assessments of the athletes ' quickness and readiness. They test the ease and range of joint movement (Sports Therapist). They take careful histories of the athlete and use specific tests and measurements to help instruct a rehabilitation program fit for the athletes’ best interests (Moe 36). Using that program they start the process of getting the athlete back out on the field as soon as possible. In a sports medicine setting; physical therapists may supervise physical therapy assistants and aides, they may also work with nurses, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and exercise physiologists (Moe 38).
Physical therapists are required to have a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to practice, or a Master’s of Physical Therapy (MPT), or a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT).
To obtain the degree it is a minimum of three years of schooling, with one year of residency (Physical Therapists). All states require physical therapists to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state but all include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Many states also include a law exam and a criminal background check (Career). It is best to apply to a school of physical therapy after getting a Master’s of Physical Therapy (Moe
40).
Physical therapists must have many qualities to be successful. They have to be compassionate; they must have a desire to help people by wanting this career, they work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients. They must be detail oriented; physical therapists should have strong observational skills with which to diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care. They must be very resourceful; physical therapists customize treatment plans for patients they have to be flexible and able to adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient. They have to have physical stamina; able to stand the pain of being on your feet for hours and hours at a time caring with the patient. Physical therapists also have to enjoy working with people, they must be able to explain treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients’ concerns to provide effective therapy (Physical Therapists).
The types of environment that most therapists will work are sports medicine clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, medical centers, research centers, or traveling around with a professional sports team (Moe 37).
Most therapists work a full time job, and they sometimes have to work their schedules around their patients, but newly qualified therapists are unlikely to start working full-time right off the bat due to the inexperience (Sports). The salary ranges for where they work; on average therapists make $79,860-$112,020 a year (Physical Therapists). Salaries differ between every person. New clinic therapists make about $23,266 a year, a therapist with experience makes around $39,276 a year. Working privately or with a professional team they make on average $47,845 a year (Sports). The occupational outlook handbook states that the physical therapist career will increase by 36 percent by 2020 (Physical Therapists).
I would like to complete high school and go straight to a university to complete all of my schooling, preferably a school in Florida.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) offers an 8-semester plan of study (115 credit hours) of graduate coursework, including 34 weeks of full time and 2 weeks of part-time clinical education experience. The program accepts a class of 26 students; 93.2% of the admitted students graduate with 100% passing the licensure exam, and with that percent graduating, 100% get employed. The faculty to student ratio is 1:7. Tuition and fees for in-state students are estimated at $373.38 per credit hour and $1300.66 per credit for out-of-state students; liability insurance is $38 per year, and lab fees range from $0-100 per lab course. The University of Florida (UF) offers an 8-semester plan of study (113 credit hours) that incorporates 6 semesters of classroom study and 2 semesters (32 weeks) of full-time clinical internship. The program accepts 55 new students each year; 94% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed (3-year average). The faculty to student ratio is 1:7. The Physical Therapy Programs tuition is $21,924.76 for in-state residents and $31,164.76 for non-residents (Physical
Therapist).

Works Cited
“Career Overview and Education for the Sports Medicine Physical Therapist.” Education Career Articles. Education Career Articles, 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.
Moe, Barbara. The Career Resource Library: Careers in Sports Medicine. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2002. Print.
“Physical Therapists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2014. Web. 8 Jan. 2014
“Physical Therapist (PT) Careers” American Physical Therapy Association. American Physical Therapy Association, n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2014
“Sports Therapist.” Prospects. Graduate Prospect, March 2013. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.