• Occupational Outlook Handbook 2000

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 (Hardback) Be the first to review this item. See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions.

Please enable javascript to play this video. Quick Facts: Physical Therapists $85,400 per year $41.06 per hour Doctoral or professional degree None None 239,800 28% (Much faster than average) 67,100 Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of the rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes. They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients. Physical therapists entering the profession need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.

All states require physical therapists to be licensed. The median annual wage for physical therapists was $85,400 in May 2016.

Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come from the aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life, but are more susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy. In addition, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity. Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapists. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapists with similar occupations. Learn more about physical therapists by visiting additional resources, including O.NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Physical therapists evaluate and record a patient’s progress. Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Physical therapists use exercises and stretching maneuvers to ease patients' pain. Physical therapists held about 239,800 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of physical therapists were as follows: Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists 33% Hospitals; state, local, and private 26 Home healthcare services 10 Self-employed workers 7 Nursing and residential care facilities 7 Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, working with patients. Because they must often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries.

Physical therapists can limit these risks by using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when assisting patients. Work Schedules Most physical therapists work full time. About 1 in 5 worked part time in 2016. Although most physical therapists work during normal business hours, some may work evenings or weekends. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching, to treat patients.

Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed. Education In 2017, there were more than 200 programs for physical therapists accredited by the (CAPTE).

All programs offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. DPT programs typically last 3 years. Many programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission as well as specific educational prerequisites, such as classes in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics. Some programs admit college freshmen into 6- or 7-year programs that allow students to graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and a DPT. Most DPT programs require applicants to apply through the (PTCAS). Physical therapist programs often include courses in biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology. Physical therapist students also complete at least 30 weeks of clinical work, during which they gain supervised experience in areas such as acute care and orthopedic care.

Physical therapists may apply to and complete a clinical residency program after graduation. Residencies typically last about 1 year and provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of care. Physical therapists who have completed a residency program may choose to specialize further by completing a fellowship in an advanced clinical area. The has directories of physical therapist residency and fellowship programs. Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations 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. Several states also require a law exam and a criminal background check. Install dfsutil windows 7.

Continuing education is typically required for physical therapists to keep their license. Check with your state boards for specific licensing requirements. After gaining work experience, some physical therapists choose to become a board-certified specialist. The offers certification in nine clinical specialty areas of physical therapy, including orthopedics, sports, and geriatrics.

Board specialist certification requires passing an exam and at least 2,000 hours of clinical work in the specialty area within the last ten years or completion of an (APTA)-accredited residency program in the specialty area. Important Qualities Compassion. Physical therapists are often drawn to the profession in part by a desire to help people. They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients.

Detail oriented. Like other healthcare providers, physical therapists should have strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care.

Physical therapists must use their hands to provide manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. They should feel comfortable massaging and otherwise physically assisting patients. Interpersonal skills. Because physical therapists spend a lot of time interacting with patients, they should enjoy working with people. They must clearly explain treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients’ concerns in order to provide effective therapy. Physical stamina.

Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, moving as they demonstrate proper techniques and help patients perform exercises. They should enjoy physical activity. Physical therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They must be flexible and adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient. Time-management skills. Physical therapists typically treat several patients each day.

They must provide appropriate care to patients along with completing administrative tasks, such as documenting patient progress. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics The median annual wage for physical therapists was $85,400 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $122,130. In May 2016, the median annual wages for physical therapists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows: Home healthcare services $93,200 Nursing and residential care facilities 92,960 Hospitals; state, local, and private 87,010 Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists 81,220 Most physical therapists work full time.

About 1 in 5 worked part time in 2016. Although most therapists work during normal business hours, some may work evenings or weekends. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come in part from the large number of aging baby boomers, who are staying more active later in life than their counterparts of previous generations. Older people are more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, and mobility-related injuries that require physical therapy for rehabilitation.

In addition, a number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, have become more prevalent in recent years. More physical therapists will be needed to help these patients maintain their mobility and manage the effects of chronic conditions. Advances in medical technology have increased the use of outpatient surgery to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses.

Occupational Outlook Handbook 2000

Medical and technological developments also are expected to permit a greater percentage of trauma victims and newborns with birth defects to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. Physical therapists will continue to play an important role in helping these patients recover more quickly from surgery. Job Prospects Job opportunities are expected to be good for licensed physical therapists in all settings. Job prospects should be particularly good in acute-care hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, and orthopedic settings, where the elderly are most often treated. Job prospects should be especially favorable in rural areas because many physical therapists live in highly populated urban and suburban areas. Employment projections data for physical therapists, 2016-26 Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2016 Projected Employment, 2026 Change, 2016-26 Employment by Industry Percent Numeric SOURCE: U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Physical therapists 29-1123 239,800 306,900 28 67,100. State & Area Data Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) The (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Projections Central Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available.

Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. CareerOneStop CareerOneStop includes hundreds of with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a to search for wages by zip code. Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of physical therapists. Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION 2016 MEDIAN PAY Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat a patient’s hearing, balance, or ear problems.

Doctoral or professional degree $75,980 Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They use spinal adjustments and manipulation, as well as other clinical interventions, to manage patients’ health concerns, such as back and neck pain. Doctoral or professional degree $67,520 Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Master's degree $81,910 Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain. $45,290 Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.

These therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts; drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. Bachelor's degree $46,410 Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, a cleft palate, or autism. Master's degree $74,680 Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Bachelor's degree $45,630 Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility. Bachelor's degree $47,340 Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses ( APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare.

The scope of practice varies from state to state. Master's degree $107,460 Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients.

Master's degree $101,480. Pay The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.