Working In The Physical Therapy Seattle Sector

By Daphne Bowen


There are many promising careers in healthcare for which you can train. Many are in the sector of physical therapy Seattle, WA and entail such rehab programs as mobility and strength improvement and pain relief. Being a PT, as it is known in the field, can be very rewarding as you help care for and ameliorate the lives of those suffering from injury and disease. It is all about restoring basic body functioning and preventing any further disabilities.

PTs worked with patients in various capacities. They can encounter injuries, illness, and body function deficiencies. They often help prevent physical disabilities as well. Most common reasons for getting such therapy are accidents, brain damage, heart disease, cerebral palsy, arthritis, and other disabling conditions. A PT is usually part of a team that addresses the patient as a whole, helping to devise treatments to ease pain, improve posture and motor function, and to ameliorate muscle strength and performance. Respiration and coordination of body movements are also a focus.

A skilled therapist understands and utilizes various tools and types of equipment, not to mention techniques such as electric stimulation or massage therapy. They are also well-versed in walkers, ultrasounds, prosthetics, leg braces, and wheelchairs among other mobility devices. Each patient's physical being is assessed and diagnosed before treatment is prescribed.

The career is in high demand in every part of the US, prompting increasing numbers of students to major in preparatory fields for this work. They study anatomy, math, humanities, chemistry, physiology, medical assisting, and health education among other subjects. They must excel to get into an accredited physical therapy program.

At the higher level, the student pursues a master's degree and/or doctorate before taking qualifying exams for licensing. It is a matter of what kind of career the student wishes to pursue within the umbrella field, and there are 200 institutions in the US alone from which to choose.

To become a therapist in the field, most states require the NPTE or National Physical Therapy Examination. There may be others, but this is the most common. In additional, each candidate must show English proficiency if foreign. All the required documents are presented before entering the program of choice. Finally there is the matter of licensing in one's state of residency.

After complying with all regulations and requirement, a therapist goes on to work in a hospital setting or rehab facility such as an orthopedic center. Many open private practices. The typical salary is in the $80,000 range but it varies in different parts of the country and the degree of the candidate's education and experience. The bureau of Labor Statistics states that the therapy sector is expected to grow by 30% in a couple of years. This is promising indeed for the many students of the field already in progress.

If one's has the aptitude and interest, this is an exciting, expanding area in the healthcare industry and one that is needed in urban and rural regions alike. You can see from the website of the American Physical Therapy Association that it is very specialized and takes a great deal of education, training, and licensing but if one is dedicated to the task and wants to help patients, this is the right career indeed.




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