Career Research Assignment Physical Therapy; Physical Therapist Presentation by Genesis Wright Personal Interest I remain interested in pursuing a career in exercise science. I want to pursue Physical Therapy because I am interested in helping others prevent injury, improve mobility, and prevent permanent disabilities. I enjoy working with others and would love to help people get better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Overview of Physical Therapy Physical therapists, formerly called physiotherapists, are health care specialists who restore mobility, alleviate pain and suffering, and work to prevent permanent disability for their patients (Ferguson's career guidance center) ➔ Expected job functions Establish treatment goals, confer with patient's doctor; involve patients in their care with athome exercises, manually manipulate patients; provide encouragement and motivation ➔ Population that professionals serve Physical Therapists usually serve those who deal with physical problems such as arthritis, sudden injuries, chronic pain, osteoporosis, etc. ➔ Capacity Physical therapists improve one’s physical health by helping to improve mobility, reduce pain and prevent permanent disabilities ➔ Job Market + Satisfaction and Income information Salary The salary for Physical Therapists in the state of Arizona ranges from $80k to $100k annually, nonmetropolitan areas are the areas where salaries are around $80k annually ➔ Projected career growth As of May 2020 the location quotient for Arizona was 0.84 (U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021) ➔ Job satisfaction Many PTs struggle with “burnouts”. According to research, “54% of U.S. nurses and physicians have ‘substantial symptoms of burnout,’ which the authors described as characterized by ‘high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, (i.e., cynicism), and a low sense of personal accomplishment from work.’” (Elliot 2020). It is said that “support in the workplace and during training would help to prevent burnout among physiotherapist” (Endler et. al 2013) Educational & Training Requirements + Licenses & Certificate Requirements Education/Training: - Must need a DPT degree - Most PT schools require a bachelor’s degree and prerequisites for admission - DPT usually lasts for 3 years - PT programs usually include courses such as biomechanics, neuroscience, and pharmacology - Upcoming PTs MUST complete clinical work Licenses/Certificates: - MUST pass the National Physical Therapy Examination - Licenses needed do vary according to state - The state of Arizona only requires 1 which is the Physical Therapy License Conclusion PTs help to prevent long term disability and help to reduce pain and suffering from bone disease, muscle disease, and even sudden injury. My “why”, has to do with personal experiences. Growing up I had many relatives who severely needed a physical therapist, though we desperately needed help we could not afford it. My goal is to help those who aren’t as fortunate to get help from physical therapists. I believe this career would be the perfect fit for me because I love to serve others, and enjoy seeing others meet their physical goals! Though I understand I will be vulnerable to “burnout”, I will always remember my “why”. References .National Center for O*NET Development. (2021, May 11) Physical Therapists. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-1123.00 .Ferguson’s Career Guide Center, (date N.A) Physical therapists. (n.d.). https://fcg-infobasecom.ez1.maricopa.edu/recordurl/1300197?aid=106409Links to an external site. . U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, (2021, April 9), Physical Therapists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-1 (Links to an external site.) Elliott, T. (2020). Understanding and Avoiding Burnout. APTA Magazine, 12(10), 20– 31. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ez1.maricopa.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&sid=513a8fac-b1d743c2-89e7-9318dba1bc74%40sdc-v-sessmgr03Links to an external site. . Fischer, M., Mitsche, M., Endler, P., Mesenholl-Strehler, E., Lothaller, H., & Roth, R. (2013). Burnout in physiotherapists: Use of clinical supervision and desire for emotional closeness or distance to clients...including commentary by Gupta S. International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 20(11), 550– 558. https://doi-org.ez1.maricopa.edu/10.12968/ijtr.2013.20.11.550
