Online College Courses Help Work And Study For Careers In Physical Therapy
Recuperating from a major accident often requires much more than the
mending of bones, nerves and muscle. Even after the scar tissue has
faded, a patient usually has to go through a recovery period if he or
she ever wants to move like they used to. Helping the patient back is a
specially trained health care pro called the physical therapist. Like
many in the technologically expanding medical field, many therapists
will have obtained their training from college courses online.
Physical therapists, sometimes simply called PTs, treat individuals who
have medical problems that limit their abilities to move as they used
to before illness or accident. They create plans where the ultimate
goal is to return a patient’s ability to move, restore function and
prevent disability. In addition, they try to prevent the loss of
mobility by developing programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles that encourage the patient to function at their highest
possible level.
A PTs job can be quite physically demanding. Their occupation can
involve workouts as strenuous as what they put their patients through,
often having to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods.
In addition, physical therapists sometimes need to move heavy equipment
and patients as part of their therapies. It can also be during odd
hours, to better confirm with a patient’s personal schedule. As such,
it’s not uncommon for a PT to need his or her own therapist to work the
kinks out of a day’s work.
It should be noted that one isn’t a full therapist until getting a
minimum master’s degree from a school with a recognized program. While
still going for the Bachelor’s, the student should take classes in
anatomy, biology, physics, and mathematics among others After getting
the four-year degree, the graduate can get a job at a hospital or
clinic or continue with post-grad work in physical therapy. It should
be noted that sooner or later a PT does need to work with patients,
usually under the supervision of a superior, before getting certified.
The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapist Association, the
official certification body of the physical therapy field, recognizes
slightly over 200 programs, both brick and mortar and online colleges,
for a degree. Currently, one must have at minimum a Master’s degree to
practice, which takes approximately two to two-and-a-half years after
getting one’s Bachelor’s. They also administer the National Physical
Therapy Examination, which must be taken after graduating. A number of
states require continuing education as a condition of maintaining
licensure, so many PTs keep an account with an online college to stay
abreast of their field.
The average salary of a physical therapist is slightly over $73,000 a
year. It’s not uncommon to earn over $100,000. The benefits usually
include health coverage possible savings and continued education
programs.
Currently, there are over 180,000 in the U.S. There will be a need for
30% more by 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calls it one of the
fastest growing professions in the country. Considering other
professions have a projected growth of roughly 12%, it's easy to see
the need for therapists.
There is an incredible amount of financial aid for students taking college courses through online degree programs and attending traditional college, so consult your school's financial aid counselor about it. These and other medical degree programs are worth exploring as a way to enter a fascinating field that really helps people. As it stands, as long as there is a need for therapy, there will be a need for therapists.
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