Move Toward a Physical Therapist Career

OVERVIEW FOR PRE-PT STUDENTS

OVERVIEW

▪ PT Careers
▪ PT Education
▪ PT Admissions Process
▪ Is a PT Career Right for You?
▪ Resources
PHYSICA
L
THERAPI
ST
CAREER
S
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS ARE
MOVEMENT EXPERTS

Physical therapists are health care

professionals who diagnose and
treat individuals of all ages with
medical problems or other health-
related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform
functional activities in their daily
lives.
ROLE OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS IN
HEALTH CARE
▪ Diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance
physical and functional abilities.
▪ Restore, maintain, and promote optimal
▪ physical function,
▪ wellness and fitness, and
▪ quality of life as it relates to movement and health.
▪ Prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of
impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that
may result from diseases, disorders, conditions, or injuries.
WHERE DO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
WORK?
▪ Acute Care
▪ Extended Care Facility (eg, Nursing Home)
▪ Home Health
▪ Hospice
▪ Industrial and Workplace Environments
▪ Local, State, and Federal Governments
▪ Outpatient Clinic
▪ Rehabilitation Hospital
▪ Research Center
▪ School
▪ Wellness, Prevention, Sports, and Fitness Centers
EXAMPLES OF CONDITIONS TREATED BY
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

▪ Arthritis ▪ Hand Injuries

▪ Back Pain ▪ Headaches
▪ Balance ▪ Incontinence
▪ Burns ▪ Lymphedema
▪ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ▪ Osteoporosis
▪ Developmental Delays ▪ Pelvic Pain
▪ Chronic Obstructive ▪ Sports Injuries
Pulmonary Disease ▪ Stroke
▪ Dislocations ▪ Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
▪ Fractures
CORE VALUES OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
Critical Elements of Professionalism for Physical Therapists
 HIGH JOB SATISFACTION
▪ CNNMoney.com gave physical therapists a
grade of “A” for “Personal Satisfaction” as a
quality of life indicator in 2012.

▪ Forbes ranked physical therapists as one of "

The Ten Happiest Jobs," in 2011.

▪ Physical therapists have one of the

highest job-satisfaction levels.
▪ 78% "very satisfied" with their chosen career.
▪ 2007 National Opinion Research Center report.
JOB OUTLOOK
PT Employment Expected to Grow by 39% through 2020
▪ US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013
▪ 198,600 - Current Employment
▪ 276,000 - Projected Employment by 2020

Best Jobs in America

▪ U.S. News & World Report: 2013, 2012 and 2009

Fastest Growing Jobs

▪ CNNMoney.com: 2012, 2010

Highest Growth Expected in Rural Areas and Geriatrics

BENEFITS OF A PHYSICAL
THERAPIST CAREER

▪ Make a Difference
▪ Be a Movement Expert
▪ Enjoy Job Security
▪ Love Your Job
▪ Choose Your Location
▪ Be an Entrepreneur
 PHYSIC
AL
THERAP
IST
EDUCATI
ON
PHYSICAL THERAPIST DEGREE
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree

To practice as a physical therapist in the US, you must

▪Earn a DPT degree from a program accredited by the

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
Education (CAPTE) and

▪Pass a state licensure exam.

PT EDUCATION

▪ Length of Program Typically 3 years following 3-4

years of undergraduate study or degree

▪ Time in Classroom and Lab Approximately 80% of program

▪ Time in Clinical Education Approximately 20% of program

▪ Final Clinical Experience 27.5 Weeks on average

PRIMARY CONTENT AREAS IN PT
CURRICULUM
▪ biology/anatomy ▪ communication
▪ cellular histology ▪ ethics/values
▪ physiology ▪ management sciences
▪ exercise physiology ▪ finance
▪ biomechanics ▪ sociology
▪ kinesiology ▪ clinical reasoning
▪ neuroscience ▪ evidence-based practice
▪ pharmacology ▪ cardiovascular and pulmonary
▪ pathology ▪ endocrine and metabolic
▪ behavioral sciences ▪ musculoskeletal
RESIDENCIES AND FELLOWSHIPS
Licensed physical therapists may choose to pursue a residency or
fellowship program to enhance their knowledge and practice.

▪ Clinical Residency
▪ A planned program of postprofessional clinical and didactic education for PTs
that is designed to significantly advance the PT resident's preparation as a
provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice.

▪ Clinical Fellowship
▪ A planned program of postprofessional clinical and didactic education for
physical therapists who demonstrate clinical expertise in an area of clinical
practice related to the practice focus of the fellowship. Fellows are frequently
post-residency prepared or board-certified specialists.
SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION
Physical therapists can specialize in the following areas!

▪ Cardiovascular and Pulmonary ▪ Orthopaedics

▪ Clinical Electrophysiology ▪ Pediatrics
▪ Geriatrics ▪ Sports Physical Therapy
▪ Neurology ▪ Women's Health

Physical therapists specialize to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills

related to a particular area of practice. Specialty certification is voluntary. Physical
therapists are not required to be certified in order to practice in a specific area.
ADMISSIO
NS
PROCESS
WAYS YOU CAN PREPARE
▪ Research DPT programs and requirements 2 years before applying.
▪ Seek help from your college pre-PT or health professions advisor.
▪ Complete course prerequisites.
▪ Gain and track PT observation experiences 1-3 years in advance.
▪ Take the GRE at least 6+ weeks before the deadline, if required.
▪ Request references from the appropriate individuals, if required.
▪ Apply EARLY. Some use rolling admissions or fill class before deadline.
WHAT IS PTCAS?
 It is the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.
 PTCAS allows applicants to use one application and set of materials to
apply to multiple DPT programs.
 PTCAS is a service of APTA and managed by Liaison International.
 80% of DPT programs participate in PTCAS.

PTCAS Website: http://www.ptcas.org

PTCAS Checklist and Overview Slides: http://www.ptcas.org/Checklist/

 MOST COMMON COLLEGE COURSE
PREREQUISITES

Course prerequisites ▪ Anatomy and Physiology I or Anatomy

for admission vary ▪ Anatomy and Physiology II or Physiology
significantly across ▪ Biology I and II
DPT programs ▪ Advanced Biology
▪ Chemistry I and II
▪ Physics I and II
▪ Psychology
▪ Advanced Psychology
For more information, go to ▪ Statistics
www.ptcas.org/ProgramPrereqs/ ▪ English Composition
MOST COMMON COLLEGE MAJORS FOR
PT STUDENTS
You are not required to select a
particular major in order to be
eligible for admission to a PT
education program.

Source: 2012-13 PTCAS Applicant Data Report

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
▪ Minimum GPA
▪ DPT programs often have minimum GPA requirements.
▪ Applicants who only meet the minimum GPA may not be competitive.

▪ Average GPA for Accepted PTCAS Applicants in 2013

▪ Average GPAs of accepted applicants are often much higher.
▪ Overall Undergraduate GPA = 3.54
▪ Combined Science and Math GPA = 3.40
▪ Core PT Prerequisite GPA = 3.50

▪ See also the PTCAS Applicant Data Report

▪ http://www.ptcas.org/About/
Source: 2012-13 PTCAS Applicant Data Report
PT OBSERVATION EXPERIENCE
▪ PT observation requirements vary by program.
▪ Most require 50+ hours (range from 0 to 200).
▪ More than one setting may be required.
▪ Determine if hours must be verified by a licensed physical therapist.
▪ Keep track of hours and contact information for the physical therapist.
▪ Begin search for PT experiences 1 to 3 years before you apply.
▪ Explore opportunities at clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings.
▪ APTA cannot assist you in your search efforts.
See also www.ptcas.org/PTHours/
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION
®

▪ Most PT programs require applicants to take the GRE ®.

▪ Programs may set minimum scores and last acceptable test dates.

▪ Use the correct GRE ® code for EVERY PT program you select.

▪ PTCAS GRE code for DPT program may differ from university code.

▪ See also http://www.ptcas.org/Tests/.

REFERENCES
▪ Also known as letters of recommendation and evaluations.

▪ Reference requirements vary by institution.

▪ Most programs require 2-3 references.

▪ References are often required from a

▪ Physical therapist
▪ Professor in major or a science professor

▪ See also http://www.ptcas.org/References/

OTHER FACTORS IN THE
ADMISSIONS PROCESS

▪ Interviews
▪ State residency
▪ Extracurricular activities
▪ Work experience
▪ Diversity
TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

A DPT program may have technical standards or an

essential skills document that describes the physical,
behavioral, and/or cognitive abilities needed to complete
the physical therapist curriculum at that particular
institution and to competently perform as a physical
therapist upon graduation.

Policies vary. Visit the each program’s website for details.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
▪ Be prepared to disclose any felonies or misdemeanors to DPT programs.
▪ PTCAS application requires applicants to disclose felony convictions.
▪ Programs may require criminal background checks or drug tests to…
▪ verify your suitability to participate in experiential education rotations,
▪ confirm your eligibility for licensure, and
▪ ensure patient safety.
▪ Failure to disclose criminal history may result in dismissal from program.
▪ Contact programs directly for specific policies.
▪ Additional resources
▪ APTA Criminal Background Check Report & www.ptcas.org/BackgroundCheck/
PITFALLS TO AVOID

▪ Errors of any kind on your application

▪ Typos or grammatical mistakes in your application
▪ Late applications or materials
▪ Unprofessional behavior in pre-PT observation experiences
▪ Unprofessional dress or behavior during interview
▪ Applying without researching program’s admission requirements
▪ Applying without most course prerequisites completed
▪ Failing to check email regularly during admissions process
REFLECTI
ONS AND
RESOURC
ES
IS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAREER RIGHT FOR
YOU?

▪ Are you interested in how the human body works and moves?
▪ Do you want to interact directly with patients?
▪ Are you interested in a hands-on career?
▪ Are you an effective communicator?
▪ Do you have good interpersonal skills?
▪ Can you motivate people?
▪ Do you excel in science?
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PHYSICAL
THERAPIST
▪ With each positive outcome we achieve, we share a….love for the
profession of physical therapy and the patients and clients PTs serve.”
Will Humphreys, PT
owns Affinity Physical Therapy in Arizona

▪ “I've never second-guessed my career path. Every time I see an 8 year

old playing freely and happily in the park—knowing that particular boy
couldn't hold his head up when I started treating him at age 6 months—
my reason for becoming a PT is affirmed. We are therapists. We are
teachers. We are advocates. We are researchers. We are professionals.”
Hadiya Guerrero, PT, DPT, CKTP,
operates Pediatric Physical Therapy of Harlem in New York City
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PHYSICAL
THERAPIST
▪ “The healing potential of human touch has been celebrated since
antiquity. But the sensitivity of a PT's hands lends that touch great
power. It's a humbling and deeply gratifying aspect of why I love
what I do.”
Carrie A. Ciaverelli, PT, MPT, CYT
Senior PT at Lakeway Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center in Austin, Texas

▪ “I am becoming a PT for my love, fascination, and curiosity of the

human body and wanting to make a positive difference in the lives
of many people.”
Chukwuemeka Nwigwe
Student PT (SPT) at UMDNJ-SHRP and Graduate School at Rutgers Camden
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
▪ American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
▪ www.apta.org
▪ www.moveforwardpt.com – Information for the Public
▪ www.apta.org/PTCareers/AskaStudent/ – Frequently Asked Questions
▪ Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
▪ www.ptcas.org
▪ Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
▪ www.capteonline.org
▪ Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
▪ www.fsbpt.org
▪ Academic Council of the American Physical Therapy Association
▪ www.acaptaonline.org
 APTA
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