Career Research:

Physical Therapist

1. What education is needed for this career?

○ Doctor of Physical Therapy degree - all programs offer one
○ DPT programs typically last 3 years
○ Some programs admit college freshman into 6- or 7-year programs
2. What training is needed for this career?
○ DPT program
○ May complete a clinical residency program after graduation - 1 year
3. Who are the largest employers for this career /field?

○ Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists

○ Hospitals; state, local, and private
○ Home healthcare services
○ Nursing and residential care facilities
○ Self-employed workers
4. Where can one find work in this field?
○ Offices
○ Hospitals
○ Nursing facilities
5. What is the average starting salary?
○ $56,000
6. What is the average ten-year salary?
○ $86,850
7. In which areas of the country could/would one live?
○ California is the top-paying state in the healthcare industry - high cost of
living
○ New Jersey - the second top-paying state in the healthcare industry - low
cost of living
8. What is the long-term outlook for this career? Will the need increase,
decrease, stay the same, be eliminated?
○ Demand for physical therapists is expected to increase
9. What are the working conditions? What are some of the hazards or
disadvantages of the job?
○ Private offices, clinics, hospitals, patient’s homes, nursing homes
○ Lot of time on your feet
○ Actively working with patients
○ Failure to help the patient
○ Injury from manipulation
10. What is the nature of the work?
○ Helping patients suffering from injury or disease to restore function,
improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical
disabilities
11. What are the responsibilities of the job?
○ Consulting with patients
○ Diagnosing movement dysfunction
○ Developing a treatment plan
○ Teaching patients excise techniques
12. Are there any professional associations or unions that are necessary or
suggested to be a member of this profession?
○ APTA - American Physical Therapy Association
13. What are some related occupations?
○ Athletic trainers
○ Exercise physiologists
○ Occupational therapists
14. Are most of the workers in this field traditionally male or female?
Explain.
 ○ 64% female
○ 36% male
15. What do three people in the career say about their jobs?
○ Morgan Romans:
■ “It is very gratifying to work to help someone achieve their personal
goals. No matter what stage of life you are in personally, you can fit
your work to meet those needs.”
○ Taylor Andrade
■ “The people that I worked with were just so passionate about what
they were doing and just passionate about getting people better and it
was infectious.”
○ Ian Dickman
■ “The fact that you’re helping somebody get better, it’s such a
rewarding feeling. You get to see where they were because of a
certain disease if they have a disability and then you see them
progress and you see the joy that they have and it’s a good feeling.”

1. What is the title of the job being advertised?

○ Physical Therapist
2. What is the company name?
○ ATI
3. What education is needed and training?
○ Doctorate of Physical Therapy
○ State issued license
4. What are some of the benefits that are listed (sick days, vacation, family
leave, maternity, sick and education policies?)
○ Variety of places to work
○ Medical insurance
 ○ Flexible hours
5. What is the starting salary?
○ $56,000