You job is to help patients learn to move again with daily activities. Some of the methods you may use will include therapeutic exercises that help to enhance mobility. Most physical therapists work 40 hours a week inside of hospitals, private offices and outpatient clinics. You could end up earning between $72,790 and $104,350 annually.
Post-Secondary Education
To work in physical therapy, it is required that you go to an accredited school to obtain a degree - this takes four years to complete. You will need to have an advanced degree to work as a physical therapist. This field is expected to grow - there were 212 physical therapy graduate and doctoral programs around the U.S. in 2009. It takes about two to two and half years to complete a master's degree and three years to get a doctoral degree.
Some of the courses you would have to take include biology, physics, mathematics and chemistry. It is also required that you do some training inside of a physical therapy setting.
Passing the Exam
It is required that you pass the NPTE, or National Physical Therapy Exam. The scores are between 200 and 800, but in order to pass, you will have to have a 600 or higher. You are able to retake the exam three times in one year, with a month in between each retake.
Performing the Duties
Once you become a physical therapist, you will have to communicate with patients and their families, along with your coworkers. You will have to educate your patients about their medical conditions and explain the treatments that you will be providing them with.
