Physical Therapist

To be a successful Physical Therapist you should…

• have strong interpersonal skills in order to successfully educate patients about their treatments
• be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients and patient’s family
• enjoy applying movement science to everyday tasks
• have the ability to detect small changes in human movement or function
• have the ability to use your body and hands skillfully

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What will my job be like?

Physical therapists, or PTs, are health care professionals who evaluate and treat people with health problems resulting from injury or disease. PTs assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, function of heart and lungs, and performance of activities required in daily living, among other responsibilities. Treatment includes therapeutic exercise, cardiovascular endurance training, and training in activities of daily living. More than 120,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S. today, treating nearly 1 million people every day.

PTs may specialize in many areas, and may obtain certification as specialists in the treatment of:

• Cardiopulmonary Disease
• Clinical Electrophysiology
• Geriatrics
• Neurology
• Orthopedics
• Pediatrics
• Sports

Where could I work?

Physical therapists own and manage their own clinics or are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and extended care facilities such as nursing homes, home health agencies, public and private schools, and industry and private practices.

Most physical therapists work a 40-hour week, which may include some evenings and weekends.

Other workplace settings:

• Physical Therapy Educational Programs
• Research Institutions
• Sports Facilities

What is the average annual salary?

$93,500

What is the future of this career?

Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come from the aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life, but are more susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy. In addition, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.

What type of education and/or training do I need?

The minimum educational requirement is a post-graduate (master’s or doctoral) degree in physical therapy from an accredited physical therapist educational program.

Where can I get the education and/or training?

• Quinnipiac University, Hamden
• Sacred Heart University, Fairfield
• University of Connecticut, Storrs
• University of Hartford, West Hartford
• University of St. Joseph, West Hartford

Do I need a license or certification for this career?

Licensure is required by the state of Connecticut. Prerequisites: An approved Physical Therapy Program; National Physical Therapy Examination or Current Certification by the American Registry of Physical Therapists.

Where can I get more information?

American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA   22314
800-999-APTA
www.apta.org