Cait l in Bisbing Jul ie Nowicki Heather Schradin Michael Sclafani Alyssa Taylor

YOUR FUTURE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

University of Cincinnati

1. Wants to help others2. Confident3. Sociable/people-person4. Accountable5. Have a positive

attitude

5 CHARACTERISTICS OF A PT

Helpful - giving aide or assistance

PTs should have a passion for helping others return to their previous activity level or improve their quality of life

LIKES TO HELP OTHERS

Confidence - being sure of yourselfDon’t doubt your abilitiesPTs need to be confident to gain the

trust of our patients

CONFIDENCE

Likes to be in the company of others

PTs work with people every day and enjoy interacting with others

A PEOPLE PERSON

Taking responsibility for your decisions, actions, and your patients

When we work with patients who need our help, they look to us to give them accurate info and give our best effort

ACCOUNTABLE

PTs need to have a smile on their face and be upbeat when working with patients

A positive attitude can be contagious and provide a good healing environment

HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Get an Undergraduate degree All PTs must receive a graduate degree

from an accredited physical therapy program

Entry level PT’s need a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree

HOW DO YOU GET INTO PT SCHOOL?

Research PT programsCourse Prerequisites GREObservation HoursRecommendation LettersApplications and FeesDeadlines

HOW TO GET INTO PT SCHOOL

Research PT programs

Determine each schools deadlines, prerequisites and all other material

Determine cost

RESEARCH

Cleveland State University (Cleveland)College of Mount St. Joseph (Cincinnati)Ohio University (Athens)The Ohio State University (Columbus)The University of Findlay (Findlay) University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati)University of Dayton (Dayton)University of Toledo (Toledo)Walsh University (North Canton)Youngstown State University

(Youngstown)

UNIVERSITIES WITH PT PROGRAMS

Anatomy and Physiology I Anatomy and Physiology II Upper Level Anatomy * Other Physiology (pathophysiology, exercise physiology) General Biology I General Biology II Other Biology (eg, cell, embryology, genetics, histology,

immunology, microbiology, molecular) General Chemistry I General Chemistry II General Psychology Other Psychology (eg, abnormal, developmental, rehabilitation,

sports) Kinesiology Math (eg, algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry) Medical Terminology English Composition Social Science Humanities

COLLEGE COURSE PREREQUISITES

Standardized test required for many graduate programs

Sections of test include:VerbalQuantitative Analytical WritingUn-scored Section

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION

Observe a physical therapist and what his/her job includes

Each school has different requirements

Average needed hours between 50-80

Most schools require multiple settings

OBSERVATION HOURS

Written by those who know you but are not related

These are confidential letters that student will not see

Most schools require at least one recommendation written by a PT

Other options for recommendation letters include: Teachers Employers Academic advisor

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

Must fi ll out application to each school you are interested in attending

Some schools need a supplemental application

Varying fee associated with each application

Each school has an individual deadline for all information to be turned in

Typically deadline is in the early Fall the year before admission

APPLICATIONS, FEES AND DEADLINES

Minimum GPAMinimum GRE

scoreInterviewEssay

OTHER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service

Single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT education programs

WHAT IS PTCAS?

WHAT HAPPENS IN PT SCHOOL?

Dissect cadaverMuscles, nerves, blood vessels

GROSS ANATOMY

Subjective InterviewDocumentationHow to measure ROM using goniometer

MUSCULOSKELETAL

MMTsLength TestsSpecial Tests

MUSCULOSKELETAL CONT.

Various neuromuscular conditionsSensory/nerve testingStrategies for patients with variety of

impairments

NEUROMUSCULAR

Assessing woundsManagement of chronic wounds

Nonsurgical techniques Burns

INTEGUMENTARY

Heart conditionsBreathing problemsEndurance training

CARDIOPULMONARY

Pediatric/DevelopmentalGeriatrics Post-surgical rehab

OTHERS

Real-life exposureResponsible for treatment of patientsSupervision by Clinical Instructor New locationsVariety of settings

CLINICAL ROTATIONS

Fixed datesComputer-based test (CBT)Covers all aspects of PTFinal step before entering workforce as PT

BOARD EXAMINATION

WHERE CAN A PT WORK?

Acute Care HospitalsInpatient rehabilitation facilitiesOutpatient clinics or offi cesSkilled nursing, extended care, or subacute

facilitiesHomesEducation or research centersSchoolsHospicesIndustrial, workplace, or other occupational

environmentsFitness centers and sports training facilitiesLocal, State, and Federal GovernmentResearch Center

PT PRACTICE SETTINGS

Individuals admitted to a hospital for short-term patient care for reasons such as illness, surgery, accident, or recovery from a trauma.

The goal in this

setting is to discharge the person as soon as he or she is medically stable and has a safe place to go.

ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL

Individuals visit a physical therapist in a clinic, offi ce, or other health care facility primarily to address musculoskeletal (orthopedic) and neuromuscular injuries or impairments.

OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Physical therapy provided to individuals with a focus on wellness. Emphasizes

preventing illness and injury and promoting a healthy lifestyle, as opposed to emphasizing treatment of diseases.

Settings may include but aren't limited to fitness centers and sports training facilities.

WELLNESS/PREVENTION/SPORTS/FITNESS

Individuals who are admitted to a facility that typically cares for elderly patients and provides long-term nursing care, rehabilitation, and other services.

SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

How Much Does A PT Make?

© 2011 American Physical Therapy Association. All rights reserved.

Physicians NursesOccupational TherapistsSpeech/Language PathologistsRespiratory TherapistsRecreational TherapistsPsychologists Physical Therapy AssistantsPhysical Therapy AidesFamily Members

WHO DO PT’S WORK WITH??

Requirements: Associates degree (approx. 2 years) License, registration, and certification required

Characteristics: Assist PT’s in giving care to patients Provide exercise instructions, therapeutic treatments,

gait, and balance training under supervision of PTEarnings:

Median Salary: $46,140

PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Requirements: High school diploma Clinical on-site training

Characteristics: Keep treatment area clean and organized, prepare for

patient’s therapy session, assist in transportation of patients

Earnings: Median Salary: $23,760

PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDE

1. Physical Therapist Admission Process. American Physical Therapy Association. http://www.apta.org/ProspectiveStudents/Admissions/PTProcess/. Accessed January 29, 2012

2. About PT/PTA Careers. American Physical Therapy Association. http://www.apta.org/AboutPTs/. Updated January 17, 2012. Accessed January 28, 2012.

REFERENCES