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How do I get involved with the Physical Therapy route?
I recently graduated from college and am currently taking a gap year. During this time, I aim to learn more about physical therapy and explore opportunities to work or volunteer in this field.
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Corrie’s Answer
A great way to gain experience in the field of physical therapy is to apply for positions as a physical therapy tech or a transporter in a hospital. A PT tech does not need a degree, and responsibilities include support in a clinic or rehabilitation setting such as laundering linens, cleaning equipment between patients, and assisting therapists with indirect patient care. Working as a PT tech is also something you can do part time while attending PT school, and it is a great way to start networking and building relationships and mentorships in your chosen field. A transporter in a hospital is an employee who transports patients in wheelchairs from their hospital room to the rehabilitation clinic in the hospital (or to other procedures) and returns them to their room following.
Volunteering or job shadowing is also encouraged, and most PT programs will require applicants to log a certain number of hours of observation in a PT setting. Try seeking out a variety of observation/volunteer settings, such as a hospital, outpatient clinic, home health, skilled nursing facility, and pediatrics -- this will help you consider areas that interest you most! You could also look into volunteering in a nursing home, or with Special Olympics, or with the VA -- settings and organizations which serve individuals with mobility challenges. This experience will help you get acquainted with the population of individuals you will eventually serve.
Kudos to you for seeking out next steps towards realizing your career aspirations! Physical therapy is an amazingly rewarding career field.
Volunteering or job shadowing is also encouraged, and most PT programs will require applicants to log a certain number of hours of observation in a PT setting. Try seeking out a variety of observation/volunteer settings, such as a hospital, outpatient clinic, home health, skilled nursing facility, and pediatrics -- this will help you consider areas that interest you most! You could also look into volunteering in a nursing home, or with Special Olympics, or with the VA -- settings and organizations which serve individuals with mobility challenges. This experience will help you get acquainted with the population of individuals you will eventually serve.
Kudos to you for seeking out next steps towards realizing your career aspirations! Physical therapy is an amazingly rewarding career field.
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Here's a friendly guide to follow, whether you're considering physical therapy or any other career path.
Lend a Hand
Get a real feel for the profession and strengthen your application for physical therapy school by volunteering. You could offer your time at a physical therapy clinic, or work as a health care provider to interact with a variety of patients.
Step into Their Shoes
Experience a day in the life of a licensed physical therapist by shadowing or interning with them. You could reach out to friends or family who are physical therapists, or give a ring to local physical therapy clinics to see if they'd welcome you to shadow.
Make Friends
Physical therapists can be your cheerleaders for your application, assist you in meeting observation hour requirements, and might even be your ticket to landing a job after you graduate.
Be a Guide
Reach out to your local physical therapy school or organization, or search for mentorship programs online. These personal relationships can be a great way for students to hone their skills.
Lend a Hand
Get a real feel for the profession and strengthen your application for physical therapy school by volunteering. You could offer your time at a physical therapy clinic, or work as a health care provider to interact with a variety of patients.
Step into Their Shoes
Experience a day in the life of a licensed physical therapist by shadowing or interning with them. You could reach out to friends or family who are physical therapists, or give a ring to local physical therapy clinics to see if they'd welcome you to shadow.
Make Friends
Physical therapists can be your cheerleaders for your application, assist you in meeting observation hour requirements, and might even be your ticket to landing a job after you graduate.
Be a Guide
Reach out to your local physical therapy school or organization, or search for mentorship programs online. These personal relationships can be a great way for students to hone their skills.
James Constantine Frangos
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Alexzandrea,
Getting Involved in Physical Therapy
Congratulations on graduating and taking a gap year to explore physical therapy! This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and solidify your decision. Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting involved:
1. Shadowing and Volunteering:
Shadowing: Observe physical therapists in various settings to understand their daily routines, patient interactions, and the different areas of specialization. Contact local clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to inquire about shadowing opportunities.
Volunteering: Offer your time at a physical therapy clinic or related healthcare facility. This can involve assisting with administrative tasks, helping patients with exercises, or participating in community outreach programs.
2. Gaining Clinical Experience:
Physical Therapist Aide (PTA) Program: Consider enrolling in a PTA program, which typically takes 2 years to complete. This will provide you with hands-on experience and prepare you for entry-level roles in physical therapy.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program: Becoming a CNA can expose you to the healthcare environment and provide valuable skills in patient care, which can be transferable to physical therapy.
3. Networking and Building Connections:
Attend Physical Therapy Events: Participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars to learn about the latest advancements in the field and connect with professionals.
Join Professional Organizations: Become a member of organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to access resources, networking opportunities, and career guidance.
4. Exploring Different Settings:
Hospitals: Physical therapists in hospitals work with patients recovering from surgery, injuries, or illnesses.
Outpatient Clinics: These clinics focus on treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
Rehabilitation Centers: These facilities provide specialized care for patients with neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries, and other disabilities.
Schools: School-based physical therapists work with children with developmental delays, disabilities, and injuries.
Home Health: Physical therapists visit patients in their homes to provide rehabilitation services.
5. Research and Education:
Stay Updated: Read industry publications, attend webinars, and follow physical therapy professionals on social media to stay informed about the latest research and trends.
Consider Further Education: If you’re interested in specializing in a particular area, consider pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
1. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): The APTA is the leading professional organization for physical therapists in the United States. It provides resources, education, and advocacy for the profession.
2. The Physical Therapist Central: This website offers comprehensive information about physical therapy, including career paths, education requirements, and job opportunities.
3. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE): The NPTE is the licensing exam that all physical therapists must pass in order to practice. The NPTE website provides information about the exam, including study materials and practice questions.
God Bless,
JC.
Getting Involved in Physical Therapy
Congratulations on graduating and taking a gap year to explore physical therapy! This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and solidify your decision. Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting involved:
1. Shadowing and Volunteering:
Shadowing: Observe physical therapists in various settings to understand their daily routines, patient interactions, and the different areas of specialization. Contact local clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to inquire about shadowing opportunities.
Volunteering: Offer your time at a physical therapy clinic or related healthcare facility. This can involve assisting with administrative tasks, helping patients with exercises, or participating in community outreach programs.
2. Gaining Clinical Experience:
Physical Therapist Aide (PTA) Program: Consider enrolling in a PTA program, which typically takes 2 years to complete. This will provide you with hands-on experience and prepare you for entry-level roles in physical therapy.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program: Becoming a CNA can expose you to the healthcare environment and provide valuable skills in patient care, which can be transferable to physical therapy.
3. Networking and Building Connections:
Attend Physical Therapy Events: Participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars to learn about the latest advancements in the field and connect with professionals.
Join Professional Organizations: Become a member of organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to access resources, networking opportunities, and career guidance.
4. Exploring Different Settings:
Hospitals: Physical therapists in hospitals work with patients recovering from surgery, injuries, or illnesses.
Outpatient Clinics: These clinics focus on treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
Rehabilitation Centers: These facilities provide specialized care for patients with neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries, and other disabilities.
Schools: School-based physical therapists work with children with developmental delays, disabilities, and injuries.
Home Health: Physical therapists visit patients in their homes to provide rehabilitation services.
5. Research and Education:
Stay Updated: Read industry publications, attend webinars, and follow physical therapy professionals on social media to stay informed about the latest research and trends.
Consider Further Education: If you’re interested in specializing in a particular area, consider pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
1. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): The APTA is the leading professional organization for physical therapists in the United States. It provides resources, education, and advocacy for the profession.
2. The Physical Therapist Central: This website offers comprehensive information about physical therapy, including career paths, education requirements, and job opportunities.
3. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE): The NPTE is the licensing exam that all physical therapists must pass in order to practice. The NPTE website provides information about the exam, including study materials and practice questions.
God Bless,
JC.
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Alexzandrea,
I agree with the other posts with some clarification for someone in the United States. I would take the time to apply for a position as a rehabilitation technician or PT aide. The job title might depend on the company but they're the same type of entry level position and perfect for someone looking to learn more about PT. No previous PT-related work or education is needed to apply and you'll learn the skills you need during on-the-job training.
As a Physical Therapist Assistant (so I can't speak for applicants to the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) programs but I imagine it's even tougher) it's a very competitive application process to get into school. While shadowing opportunities are a great experience, I think it would take more than observation hours to stand out on a DPT program application. Work experience as a rehab tech would show that you not only have experience in the field, but that you're serious about continuing in it. And if you do continue on with the education, some of the information you come across in class may reinforce what you've learned on the job.
There's plenty of PT-only companies and hospital-based PT clinics that you can apply to. If there's a clinic nearby that interests you, you can contact them directly or go to their website to look for an application or job openings. Otherwise, try www.indeed.com. I typed "physical therapy tech" in the job search and other similar job titles like these showed up: Therapy Tech, Rehab Services Technician, Physical Therapy Technician, Therapy Aide. These would be the sorts of job titles you'd want to look for.
If you're not sure which sort of setting interests you (outpatient orthopedic, neurological, hospital, pediatric, etc.), you can also shadow or volunteer at additional settings for the extra exposure. You can contact nearby clinics or reach out to family or friends in the PT industry to coordinate observation hours. If it's a larger company, they might direct you to their HR department or corporate office to get that all set up. If you plan on including these experiences in a resume or school application, make sure to document and maintain a record of your hours.
Along with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), since you're in Chicagoland, another resource you can look into with more local information is: https://www.ipta.org. The Illinois Physical Therapy Association is the IL chapter of the APTA. Their mens contains links with volunteer opportunities and career and education info. It costs money to become a member of either of these and isn't a requirement to apply for colleges or to find an entry-level job.
If the cost or schooling required of a DPT program seems out of reach, you can also look into schools with Physical Therapist Assistant programs. I am a PTA and I do not plan to continue on to DPT school. You don't HAVE to go to DPT school to work as a PTA.
There's a ton of PTs out there on social media. I even follow some to see if I can learn any new tips. I'm ALWAYS learning. That's one of the things I like so much about the industry. It never gets boring. Good luck and have fun with your search and upcoming PT experiences!
Apply for an entry-level Physical Therapy Technician-type position
Also volunteer or shadow in other types of settings to broaden your exposure to the different types of PT
Visit the IPTA and/or APTA websites
Follow PTs on social media
I agree with the other posts with some clarification for someone in the United States. I would take the time to apply for a position as a rehabilitation technician or PT aide. The job title might depend on the company but they're the same type of entry level position and perfect for someone looking to learn more about PT. No previous PT-related work or education is needed to apply and you'll learn the skills you need during on-the-job training.
As a Physical Therapist Assistant (so I can't speak for applicants to the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) programs but I imagine it's even tougher) it's a very competitive application process to get into school. While shadowing opportunities are a great experience, I think it would take more than observation hours to stand out on a DPT program application. Work experience as a rehab tech would show that you not only have experience in the field, but that you're serious about continuing in it. And if you do continue on with the education, some of the information you come across in class may reinforce what you've learned on the job.
There's plenty of PT-only companies and hospital-based PT clinics that you can apply to. If there's a clinic nearby that interests you, you can contact them directly or go to their website to look for an application or job openings. Otherwise, try www.indeed.com. I typed "physical therapy tech" in the job search and other similar job titles like these showed up: Therapy Tech, Rehab Services Technician, Physical Therapy Technician, Therapy Aide. These would be the sorts of job titles you'd want to look for.
If you're not sure which sort of setting interests you (outpatient orthopedic, neurological, hospital, pediatric, etc.), you can also shadow or volunteer at additional settings for the extra exposure. You can contact nearby clinics or reach out to family or friends in the PT industry to coordinate observation hours. If it's a larger company, they might direct you to their HR department or corporate office to get that all set up. If you plan on including these experiences in a resume or school application, make sure to document and maintain a record of your hours.
Along with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), since you're in Chicagoland, another resource you can look into with more local information is: https://www.ipta.org. The Illinois Physical Therapy Association is the IL chapter of the APTA. Their mens contains links with volunteer opportunities and career and education info. It costs money to become a member of either of these and isn't a requirement to apply for colleges or to find an entry-level job.
If the cost or schooling required of a DPT program seems out of reach, you can also look into schools with Physical Therapist Assistant programs. I am a PTA and I do not plan to continue on to DPT school. You don't HAVE to go to DPT school to work as a PTA.
There's a ton of PTs out there on social media. I even follow some to see if I can learn any new tips. I'm ALWAYS learning. That's one of the things I like so much about the industry. It never gets boring. Good luck and have fun with your search and upcoming PT experiences!
Lauren recommends the following next steps: