|
| Physical Therapists |  Such profession as physical therapists provides services that help restore function, improve mobility. Also they can relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Also they restore, maintain and promote overall fitness and health. As to the patients they include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions. It is such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries and cerebral palsy.
The duties of therapists are to examine patients' medical histories, then test and measure the patients' strength, range of motion. Also they must balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration and motor function. Besides physical therapists should develop plans that are describing a treatment strategy and its anticipated outcome.
Work environment. In general physical therapists have practice in hospitals, clinics and private offices. There they have specially equipped facilities. Also they treat patients in hospital rooms, homes or schools. These jobs can be physically demanding. This is in case therapists often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift and stand for long periods. Moreover physical therapists move heavy equipment and lift patients or help them turn, stand or walk.
Education. In 2007 there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs. This information is getting from American Physical Therapy Association. Due to such program were offered 43 master's degrees and 166 doctoral degrees. In accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education only master's degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited. It is expected that a doctor degree might be the required entry-level degree.
In general physical therapist education programs start with basic science courses. As usual it is biology, chemistry and physics. Also there are can be specialized courses. Such courses are including biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development. Also there are such subjects as manifestations of disease, examination techniques and therapeutic procedures.
Employment. In 2006 physical therapists were held about 173,000 jobs. This number of jobs is bigger than the number of practicing physical therapists. This is because some physical therapists hold two or more jobs. For instance, some want to work in a private practice. Another wants to work part time at some health care facility.
Prospects. Licensed physical therapists in all settings will have great job opportunities. Also there are a lot of benefits in case working in acute hospital, rehabilitation and orthopedic settings, where the elderly people are most often treated. Moreover physical therapists with specialized knowledge of particular types of treatment also will have excellent job prospects.
|
|
