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what eductional preperation would you recommend for this field?

#physical therapist
#physical-therapist

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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Hailey,

Blueprint for a Career as a Physical Therapist

Embarking on a journey to become a physical therapist requires a well-rounded educational journey. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this path:

Bachelor’s Degree: Kick-off your journey with a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as biology, kinesiology, exercise science, or a similar subject. This lays a robust foundation in the sciences and sets you up for advanced physical therapy coursework.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program: Once you've earned your bachelor’s degree, the next step is to join a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. These programs usually span about three years and combine classroom learning with clinical rotations for hands-on experience.

Clinical Experience: As part of your DPT program, it's vital to gain practical experience through clinical internships. This provides the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-life situations and hone the skills needed to be a successful physical therapist.

Licensure: After graduating from a DPT program, you'll need to secure a state license to practice as a physical therapist. Licensing requirements differ by state but generally require passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

Continuing Education: To stay up-to-date in the field and maintain your license, it's necessary to engage in continuing education courses and workshops throughout your career.

Specialization: Think about specializing in areas like sports therapy, pediatric therapy, or geriatric therapy. This can boost your skills and make you more desirable as a physical therapist.

By adhering to these steps and securing the required education and training, you'll be well-equipped for a fruitful career as a physical therapist.

Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): APTA is a professional body that offers resources, guidelines, and information on educational prerequisites and best practices for physical therapists.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE): CAPTE is the accrediting body for physical therapy education programs in the United States. Their website provides useful information on accredited DPT programs.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): BLS offers data on job prospects, salary details, and educational prerequisites for various professions, including physical therapists.

May God bless you!
James Constantine.
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Kevin’s Answer

Anatomy, Physiology, kinesiology, pathology, Healthcare systems, physics, therapeutic exercise and modalities, business and report writing, documentation basics. Advanced training may include English/ Spanish speaking, sports medicine, geriatrics, bariatrics, nuero. Physical therapists must go into a situation with varying degrees of a history and physical available with ability to design a plan of care to increase level of function. The case mix is very diverse, so you must be well rounded. Clinical experience should be considered before going into this field. Being a physical therapy aide, scheduler, or unpaid internship may be good experience before pushing through a degree program. Physical therapists do MOSTLY evals and assistants do treatments. Expect to do a lot of documentation as a PT.
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Kendrick’s Answer

I would recommend speaking with the department counselor at whichever school that you are interested in attending and applying too. Different universities may require different prerequisites to apply to their physical therapy program. Mostly all programs will require the classes mentioned by the previous therapist. Regardless of the school, I would suggest taking a public speaking class. Physical therapist spend numerous hours educating and assessing which requires one to be verbal. You must be able to speak clear and concise.
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