If you are looking for a great career with a strong future that gives you the opportunity to help others, you might want to consider a career as a physical therapist. As a physical therapist, you have the opportunity to help prevent injuries as well as to treat the injuries of others so they can once again live their lives to the fullest.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists work with people of all types of physical abilities, ranging from athletes you are looking for ways to enhance their performance to those who were injured on the job and are trying to regain their physical abilities. In order to assist their patients, physical therapists must be able to recognize certain conditions, to evaluate the physical condition of their patients and provide them with the necessary treatment and rehabilitation exercises.

In addition to helping with the treatment of injuries, physical therapists also advise their patients on ways to prevent injuries from occurring. This includes teaching their patients how to properly use equipment as well as how to properly utilize injury-preventing devices such as bandages, tape and braces.

Since physical therapists work as part of a treatment team, they work closely with licensed physicians as well as other healthcare professionals. Therefore, physical therapists must have excellent communication skills so they can discuss treatment plans and effectively monitor the progress of their patients.

What is the Work Environment Like for Physical Therapists?

Most physical therapists work indoors, though some may be required to work outdoors in order to implement the necessary treatment program from their patients. Regardless of the setting, physical therapists are often called upon to stand for long periods of time as well as to crouch, kneel, walk, run, stoop and even crawl while working with their patients. In addition, physical therapists must be knowledgeable in how to use a variety of different types of medical equipment.

The schedules that physical therapists work can vary significantly, though most work 40 to 50 hours per week and have their nights and weekends off. In some cases, however, they may be called upon to travel to other locations. This is particularly true for physical therapists who work with a hospital or clinic with an outreach program that provides physical therapy in other locations on certain days of the week.

Physical therapists who work with athletes may experience a more varied schedule, as they may be called upon to be with the team or with certain athletes as they travel or as they participate in practice and sporting events. Those who work with athletes may work longer hours during the season than they do during the off season and may be called upon to work nights and weekends in order to meet the needs of the athlete or the team.

As with all health-related occupations, working as a physical therapist can be stressful at times. This is because the health of your patient is dependent upon your actions and you may be called upon to make quick decisions on a regular basis.

How Do I Become a Physical Therapist?

In order to become a physical therapist, you will need to obtain a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Many employers require their physical therapists to have a master’s degree as well. Coursework required to obtain a bachelor’s degree generally includes a variety of health-related courses, including physiology, human anatomy, biomechanics and nutrition.

Most states also require their physical therapists to obtain special licensure and certification in order to work within the field. In addition, it is beneficial to have excellent communication skills and organizational skills in order to be successful in the field.

What Does the Job Outlook Look Like for Physical Therapists?

As the general demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, so will the need for trained physical therapists. As such, the field offers a great amount of job security for those who have the proper education and training. In addition, you can expect to receive an attractive income as a physical therapist, as the median annual earnings for those in the field was $36,560 in 2006.