Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists, also called physical therapists, are health care professionals who are experts in the function and movement of the body. They work with a wide range of health conditions and patients of all ages. Physiotherapists treat chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes and acute injuries like sprained ankles. They also play a large role in injury prevention. Physiotherapy is one of the thirty fastest growing jobs in the country.

Education

After earning your high school diploma, you need to attend a college and earn a Bachelor’s degree. While no specific major is required, a degree in biology, kinesiology or health science is generally preferred, or at the very least some coursework in the sciences. After you complete your undergraduate degree, you will pursue a professional doctorate from an accredited physical therapist program. These programs usually last between 3-4 years. Both the University of Florida (https://pt.phhp.ufl.edu/) and University of Miami (https://pt.med.miami.edu/) offer physical therapy programs. Make sure to carefully check the admission requirements of the schools you want to attend before applying. After you complete your professional doctorate, you need to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam. You then need to get licensed and will have to renew your license every five years. You can also become board certified in a clinical speciality such as pediatrics or clinical electrophysiology, which will help advance your career.

Job Description

As a physiotherapist, you will evaluate patients and help facilitate the best course of action to meet recovery goals. You will provide care to patients affected by problems such as sprains, fractures, amputations, strokes, arthritis, and many other conditions or injuries. You also have to perform patient evaluations, which is done by watching patients attempt certain physical activities and then diagnosing them based on their vocal feedback and movements. Treatment techniques range from cold therapy with ice packs to heat therapy with heat packs and hot whirlpool baths. They also include exercises without or with equipment and the hands on manipulation of limbs through massages. You may also help create wellness programs with other healthcare professionals, such as primary care physicians, physical therapist assistants and other specialists. These wellness programs would generally focus on preventative care through education and fitness development.

Pros & Cons

Physiotherapists earn a substantial income. As of May 2011, the average salary for a physiotherapist was over $78 000. To go with a high salary, there are tremendous employment opportunities. These opportunities are expected to increase by 40% over the next decade. You can also find employment almost everywhere in the country and most employers offer full time work opportunities. You also get to work in a career that helps people on a daily basis and it can be very rewarding to watch patients improve. There is also a wide variety of client types with different focuses for each individual. However it does take advanced education to become a physiotherapist. It takes a minimum of six years to become a physiotherapist, which will cost a lot of money and time. It can also be physically demanding. Many patients you work with will have severely limited mobility and will need a lot of assistance, forcing you to support their full weight. You will be required to stand for long periods of time and move heavy equipment. Many physical therapists work nights and weekends to accommodate their patients’ schedules, resulting in long days and less family time.