Allied Health Fields

y.com

Physical Therapy: best info comes from

APTA http://www.apta.org/

Job Description

Physical therapists (PTs) are health

care professionals who diagnose and
treat individuals of all ages, from
newborns to the very oldest, who have
medical problems or other healthrelated conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform
functional activities in their daily lives.
PTs examine each individual and
develop a plan using treatment
techniques to promote the ability to
move, reduce pain, restore function,
and prevent disability. In addition, PTs
work with individuals to prevent the
loss of mobility before it occurs by
developing fitness- and wellnessoriented programs for healthier and
more active lifestyles.
http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/Roleof
aPT/

Other Specialties
Some physical therapists seek
advanced certification in a
clinical specialty such as
orthopedic, neurological,
cardiopulmonary, pediatric,
geriatric or sports physical
therapy. Others are certified in
electrophysiological testing
and measurement.
http://www.diversityalliedhealth.c
om/features/01-08-04j.htm
.

Where do PTs Practice?

Hospitals
Outpatient clinics or offices
Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
Skilled nursing, extended care, or
subacute facilities
Homes
Education or research centers
Schools
Hospices
Industrial, workplace, or other
occupational environments
Fitness centers and sports training
facilities

You can be me!

http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=r35FQT3u0J4
&feature=related

Picture: www.sfsu.edu

Job Outlook

Changes to restrictions on reimbursement for

physical therapy services by third-party payers will
increase patient access to services and, thus,
increase demand. The increasing elderly population
will drive growth in the demand for physical therapy
services. The elderly population is particularly
vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that
require therapeutic services. Also, the baby-boom
generation is entering the prime age for heart
attacks and strokes, increasing the demand for
cardiac and physical rehabilitation. Medical and
technological developments will permit a greater
percentage of trauma victims and newborns with
birth defects to survive, creating additional demand
for rehabilitative care. In addition, growth may result
from advances in medical technology and the use
of evidence-base practices, which could permit the
treatment of an increasing number of disabling
conditions that were untreatable in the past.

Average Annual Salaries

in the Healthcare Fields
(http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm

NTLAV

CALIFAV

PhysicianAssistants

$89,470

94,900

PhysicalTherapists

79,830

86,890

PTAssistants

51,110

57,270

PTAids

25,190

27,520

OccupationalTherapists

74,970

84,350

OTAssistants

52,150

61,010

OTAids

31,770

32,650

Chiropractors

78,780

75,700

Dietitians

55,460

66,690

DieteticTechnician

29,200

36,590

RegisteredNurses

69,110

90,860

AthleticTrainers

44,640

48,640

Cardiovasculartechnicians

52,160

59,730

Podiatrist

133,870

129,820

FamilyPracticeMDs

177,330

174,530

SurgicalMDs

231,550

216,350

Accredited PT School in California (go to link on

bottom)

Azusa Pacific University

California State University, Fresno
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Sacramento
Chapman University
Loma Linda University
Mount St. Mary's College
Samuel Merritt University
University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
Western University of Health Sciences

http://www.capteonline.org/apta/directories/accreditedsc
hools.aspx?navID=10737421958&site=
capte

2015 Edition of U.S. News and

World Report rankings
Health:Physical
Therapy
(Master's/Doctorate)
Rank/SchoolAverage
assessment
score(5.0=highest)1.
UniversityofSouthern
California
University of Delaware
University of Pittsburgh
Picture: stan.uio.no
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/
top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings

Typical Prerequisites
ArethereprerequisitecoursesforPTprograms?
Prerequisites vary among programs. To be safe, check with the
programs that you are interested in to see the specific requirements.
An APTA survey of schools found that more than 50% of PT
programs require courses such as anatomy and physiology,
chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology, and general biology. Other
courses that may be required include English, social science,
humanities, computers, medical terminology, exercise physiology,
human development, kinesiology, organic chemistry, research
methods, cell biology, and pathology.
Go to this website for typical prerequisites:
http://www.ptcas.org/PTCAS_Courses_2011_12_FINAL_forApplicants.p
df

Prerequisites
http://www.ptcas.org/Directory/
This website from the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA) has
admission information on all PT schools in
the nation!

Images

Pictures: www.acp.edu/images/PA1.pn, sprintphysicaltherapy.com

Pictures:www.fitlife.com,www.wju.edu, www.unlimitedperformance.org
Picture: www.med.nyu.edu/hjd/harkness/images/Clinical%..
http
://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbp4biyBvdA/UfR5-QhFOJI/AAAAAAAABEQ/rayxtkI
Tm7I/s1600/IMG_0505.
JPg
Picture: www.potreropt.com/Images/PotreroPT008.jpg
http://healthguideusa.org/careers/physical_therapist_job_outlook.htm
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/t
op-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings