From the article: Physical Therapist: Career Information
When choosing a career, it is helpful to get information about it from those who actually work in the occupation one is considering. Please share information about your career as a physical therapist so that those thinking of entering this field can make an informed decision.
- Describe what you do as a physical therapist?
- What do you like about being a physical therapist? What don't you like about it?
- With the proper training, how easy or difficult is it for someone to get an entry level job as a physical therapist?
- Are you happy you became a physical therapist? Why or why not?
A Typical Day in Outpatient Orthopedics
- As a physical therapist in the outpatient orthopedics setting, I work a standard 8-5, Monday-Friday work week. Each day I see approximately 8-14 patients and spend the majority of my time using a combination of manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, joint manipulation, soft tissue mobilization and stretching) and exercise related tasks designed to improve strength and endurance. The majority of the patients I see come to physical therapy for low back pain followed by almost equal numbers of patients with neck, shoulder and knee pain. Some of these patient have had surgery, but the majority are simply suffering from pain and it is my job to determine which tissue is causing this pain. This aspect of orthopedic physical therapy is challenging and fun at the same time. The majority of my colleagues who work in outpatient orthopedics with a similar level of experience in the field make somewhere between 30-40 dollars per hour.
- —Guest Tom
