2.  Therapeutic pathway  Help restore function and movement of patients’ bodies through exercises, electrotherapy, massage, and more

3.  Know patient history  Test patients’ strength, mobility, etc.  Create a plan personalized for each patient’s needs to improve mobility  Educate patient on how the exercises help restore function  Provide patient with equipment to aid in recovery  Show patient the proper way to execute the exercises  Reevaluate the patient and edit program accordingly  Provide patients with preventative exercises  Provide physical and emotional support to patient and family members  Conduct re-examinations  Determine when patient is fully healed  Help patient complete the exercises  Keep physically fit to be able to complete the physically demanding aspects of the career

4.  Generally 40 hour weeks  Hours can be very flexible in a clinic, but can be less flexible in hospitals  Considered one of the least stressful jobs  Traveling physical therapist is an option…travel around the country and work in different settings  Some of the places you can work are hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, with sports teams, and more  Working outside of hospitals is becoming more popular throughout the country  According to U.S.News, physical therapy is #6 out of the top 100 best careers

5.  Polite-you do not want to offend a patient  Educated-apply what you learned in college  Respectful-you need to provide a positive environment for the patient  Motivational-many times the patient may want to give up, but you need to help them over whatever obstacles they face  Positive-the patient is more likely to want to keep coming back if they like seeing you  Diligent-often the recovery of a patient is slow, so you must be able to continue work with little progress  Compassionate-you must have empathy for the patient, they are human not just a number  Stern-while you should continue to be empathetic and caring, sometimes you may have to get your point across to ensure the patient’s recovery  Passionate-you should love what you do! If you do what you love, you never have to work a day of your life  Trustworthy-you need to have respect and trust between you and the patient to establish a positive relationship

6.  Requires a lot of physical activity, so you need to like to move around  Value patient’s health, physical and mental  Value compassion and personal bonds with patients  I would be good for this career because I love motivating and helping others achieve what was thought to be impossible

7.  High school: Biology, physics, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, psychology, math, social sciences, and health

8.  College: Any bachelors degree, then grad school  Wisconsin Schools ◦ Physical Therapy Program at UW-Lacrosse, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UW-Madison, Carroll College, and Concordia  Out of State ◦ Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at University of Pittsburgh, and physical therapy program at University of Southern California  Starting to require doctorate degree, used to just be a bachelors

9.  University of Pittsburgh ◦ Program website  https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/physicaltherapy/ https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/physicaltherapy/ ◦ Sample class schedule

10.  The national range is $56K-$113K per year, while in Wisconsin that range narrows to $60K-$98K  You generally start with a salary in the $50K- $60K range, and can make more money in different settings and with more experience  Generally you get insurance benefits as well as paid sick days/time off, holidays, 401K, continuing education and opportunities to advance

11.  Predicted to grow in demand by 36% between 2012-2022  So very good!  However: getting into a physical therapy grad school is competitive…so work hard

12.  Why would I be good for the job? ◦ I love helping others ◦ I’m always active ◦ I am open to new ideas and methods ◦ I’m willing to work hard ◦ I can work for a long time with little to show for it and that’s okay ◦ I would make enough money to live comfortably ◦ There is no procedure I would have to complete that goes against my beliefs and morals ◦ I love the amount of reward you would get in this career, like seeing a patient who could barely move their leg before now walk out of the facility

13.  Any health care professional can provide physical therapy ◦ You must be a certified physical therapist to complete a physical therapist’s duties  A physician’s referral is needed to see a physical therapist ◦ Some states have limits on what physical therapists may do without a referral, but you are able to see a physical therapist at any time  Physical therapy is just exercises you can do on your own without paying ◦ Without the supervision, guidance, and support of a physical therapist, you may actually do more damage than good if you try to avoid the expense of a physical therapist

14.  "ExploreHealthCareers.org." Physical Therapist. Web. 23 May 2015..  "Physical Therapy Job Outlook." Physical Therapy Job Outlook. Web. 23 May 2015..  "Physical Therapist (PT) Careers." Physical Therapist (PT) Careers. Web. 23 May 2015..  "The 100 Best Jobs." The 100 Best Jobs. Web. 23 May 2015..  "Facts & Myths About Physical Therapy." Health Net Member Pulse. Web. 23 May 2015..