All About Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist (PT) Job Description Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Life As a Physical Therapist (PT)
- Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.
- Direct group rehabilitation activities.
- Obtain patients’ informed consent to proposed interventions.
- Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.
- Review physician’s referral and patient’s medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.
- Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
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Physical Therapist (PT) Required Skills
When polled, Physical Therapists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles
- Pediatric Physical Therapist
- Chief Physical Therapist
- Pulmonary Physical Therapist
- Per Diem Physical Therapist
- Staff Physical Therapist (Staff PT)
Job Opportunities for Physical Therapists
There were about 239,800 jobs for Physical Therapist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 28% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 67,100 new jobs for Physical Therapist by 2026. The BLS estimates 17,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Physical Therapist (PT) are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Kansas, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Physical Therapist (PT) Make?
Physical Therapists make between $60,390 and $123,350 a year.
Physical Therapists who work in Nevada, California, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Physical Therapists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $90,620 |
| Alaska | $99,180 |
| Arizona | $88,800 |
| Arkansas | $81,430 |
| California | $97,110 |
| Colorado | $82,560 |
| Connecticut | $96,010 |
| Delaware | $93,880 |
| District of Columbia | $89,750 |
| Florida | $87,410 |
| Georgia | $86,320 |
| Hawaii | $90,540 |
| Idaho | $77,700 |
| Illinois | $90,690 |
| Indiana | $83,680 |
| Iowa | $82,960 |
| Kansas | $85,250 |
| Kentucky | $84,630 |
| Louisiana | $89,860 |
| Maine | $76,910 |
| Maryland | $85,170 |
| Massachusetts | $91,750 |
| Michigan | $91,160 |
| Minnesota | $83,750 |
| Mississippi | $89,720 |
| Missouri | $81,330 |
| Montana | $79,050 |
| Nebraska | $80,130 |
| Nevada | $107,920 |
| New Hampshire | $82,880 |
| New Jersey | $97,770 |
| New Mexico | $97,210 |
| New York | $87,470 |
| North Carolina | $87,560 |
| North Dakota | $78,120 |
| Ohio | $86,690 |
| Oklahoma | $84,860 |
| Oregon | $85,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,050 |
| Rhode Island | $83,850 |
| South Carolina | $85,450 |
| South Dakota | $76,200 |
| Tennessee | $82,920 |
| Texas | $92,940 |
| Utah | $85,940 |
| Vermont | $75,010 |
| Virginia | $91,700 |
| Washington | $85,930 |
| West Virginia | $89,420 |
| Wisconsin | $85,200 |
| Wyoming | $87,510 |
What Tools & Technology do Physical Therapists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Physical Therapists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Medical condition coding software
- Recordkeeping software
- Rehab Documentation Company ReDoc Suite
- Prognosis Innovation Healthcare ChartAccess
How to Become a Physical Therapist (PT)
What education or degrees do I need to become a Physical Therapist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Physical Therapists?
The table below shows the approximate number of Physical Therapists employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Physical Therapist may also be interested in:
References:
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