Making a career change to physical therapy can be both an exciting and scary prospect. Physical therapy is a career field that requires a high level of physical, mental and emotional commitment, making it a great option for those looking for a challenging and rewarding profession. As a physical therapist, you have the opportunity to work with people of all ages and backgrounds, helping them to reach their goals and improve their quality of life. Whether you are just starting out or looking to switch to a new career, understanding the basics of physical therapy is essential. This blog post will provide an overview of the physical therapy profession, including its educational requirements, the types of work you can do, and the possible career paths you can pursue. It will also provide advice on how to get started in the field and how to make a successful career change. With the right attitude and dedication, physical therapy can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
Why is a career change to physical therapy important?
You can gain from a career in physical therapy for a variety of reasons, including flexible hours and entrepreneurship. Depending on what career you choose, some benefits include:
What is physical therapy?
The goal of physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is to improve a patient’s movement, strength, and overall health. Additionally, it can be used to treat injuries, manage pain, and prevent mobility problems. The following is a list of physical therapy specialties you can choose from:
Types of physical therapy careers
Think about these typical types when considering a career in physical therapy:
Primary duties: Physical therapy aides typically perform nonmedical tasks. Cleaning patient rooms and transporting patients from one place to another are some of the responsibilities. They assist patients by creating a friendly atmosphere and responding to inquiries about their care. Aides might also perform administrative tasks, like monitoring inventory.
Primary responsibilities: Physical therapist assistants assist physical therapists with routine medical tasks like patient observation and exercise assistance. They may also carry out additional therapeutic techniques, such as massage therapy and stretching exercises. Patients are also given information by the assistants to physical therapists about how to treat their conditions at home.
Physical therapists’ main responsibilities are to help patients heal or improve their physical functions in clinical settings. They assess clients to identify their needs, make diagnoses, and develop treatment plans. Professionals frequently guide patients through their healing process or teach them how to carry out specific tasks to enhance their function on their own.
Alternative physical therapist careers
Here are some alternative jobs you can pursue with your transferable skills if you’re looking to expand your career beyond the typical PT roles:
Health care recruiters search through employee databases or go on the road to find potential job candidates. They typically identify staffing needs and seek physical therapy professionals. Health care recruiters conduct initial interviews, conduct employee screenings, and negotiate contracts with facilities for new hires.
Primary responsibilities: Health educators instruct people and communities about the value of health and wellness in a variety of settings and facilities. Additionally, they could develop resources for patients to use in prevention and assist in designing personalized recovery plans. They may also work as educators for educational establishments, instructing secondary students or college students in theory or medical technology
Utilization review nurses’ main responsibilities are to keep an eye on how people and facilities use their health benefits. Typically, URNs check insurance coverage for the supplies and services that clinical facilities have ordered. This ensures that patients receive the treatment they require through insurance.
A clinical liaison, also known as a rehab liaison, is a medical professional who determines whether a patient is eligible for treatment at rehabilitation facilities. Patients with more severe diagnoses, such as brain disorders or trauma, are typically included in this. Additionally, clinical liaisons manage case files for facilities, conduct basic assessments, and screen referrals.
Primary responsibilities include writing blogs, scholarly articles, technical documentation, and other web content with a health-related theme. A writer who has knowledge and experience in physical therapy can work either as a full-time employee or as a freelancer. Medical writers frequently research the market to comprehend the writing style and terminology people use when discussing health care.
Physical therapists who are good critical thinkers might think about a career in sales. Sales representatives frequently work in offices selling goods to PT or rehabilitation centers, but some jobs require them to travel to centers. To effectively sell to customers, this position calls for professionals with knowledge of the industry and the products.
How to make a career change to physical therapy
When thinking about switching to physical therapy as a career, you can take the following steps:
1. Earn a bachelors degree
The majority of physical therapy jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in biology, chemistry, anatomy, or physics. No matter what you decide, you’ll probably have many courses in each of these subjects. Consider applying recognized credits to a science program if you have a degree in another field to finish it more quickly for your career change.
2. Earn a doctorate degree
Consider getting a doctorate in physical therapy to broaden your knowledge and skill set. Although some PT careers, such as medical writing, may only require a bachelor’s degree, a doctoral degree is an advanced credential that demonstrates expertise in the field. The majority of doctoral programs typically last three years to complete and combine classroom instruction with clinical research. While earning this degree, you can take additional courses like functional anatomy and applied physical therapy.
3. Become licensed
Although physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination, each state has its own licensing requirements. Other requirements may include criminal background checks or law exams. You must complete this step in order to legally practice physical therapy in your state.
4. Finish a residency
Although it is not necessary to begin your career, some physical therapists choose to complete a one-year residency after receiving their license. But doing so gives them additional instruction and knowledge, typically in a specialty like geriatrics or pediatrics. Additionally, it’s a fantastic way to expand your network and receive more hands-on training.
5. Get certified
After gaining experience in the field, usually for at least a year, you can become certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Some states require additional exams for board certification. Similar to licensing, maintaining your credentials may require you to complete a set number of hours of continuing education.
6. Update your resume
Update your resume to reflect your most recent training, certifications, and employment. Describe your prior employment because you may be able to apply your communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills from previous positions. Instead of a personal summary, put an objective at the top of your resume to let hiring managers and recruiters know that you want to change careers.
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Career Change to Physical Therapy in 2021
FAQ
What else can I do as a physical therapist?
- Utilization review specialist.
- Rehab liaison.
- Medical quality assurance specialist.
- Informatics manager.
- Rehab intake manager.
- Telehealth physical therapist.
- Compliance analyst.
- Life coach.
Is a career in PT worth it?
This study came to the conclusion that, “up to a certain amount of student debt,” PT school is a good investment. According to the study, physical therapy’s net present value “was higher than occupational therapy, optometry, veterinary medicine, and accounting, with the average debt level reported by recent US DPT graduates ($86,563).
What field of physical therapy pays the most?
Sports medicine specialist is the physical therapy position with the highest pay. Working with athletes can be very rewarding as well.
What is the job outlook for a physical therapist in the next 10 years?
Physical therapist employment is anticipated to grow by 21 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 15,600 openings for physical therapists.
