Physical Therapist

Nature of Work:

• Identify physical conditions that interfere with a student's educational program
• Conduct assessments of mobility skills, daily activities, positioning and posture during activities in the school environment, muscle strength, and sensorimotor performance
• Collaborate with teachers, other education and health professionals, and parents to determine physical therapy goals that will allow the child to benefit from the individualized instructional program
• Advise on purchase of specialized equipment and modifications to the classroom and home
• Develop recreation and leisure programs for older students
• Advocate for environments that are physically accessible

Education Required:

• Identify physical conditions that interfere with a student's educational program
• Conduct assessments of mobility skills, daily activities, positioning and posture during activities in the school environment, muscle strength, and sensorimotor performance
• Collaborate with teachers, other education and health professionals, and parents to determine physical therapy goals that will allow the child to benefit from the individualized instructional program
• Advise on purchase of specialized equipment and modifications to the classroom and home
• Develop recreation and leisure programs for older students
• Advocate for environments that are physically accessible

Personal Qualities:

• Patient
• Self-assured
• Resourceful
• Able to work with a variety of people
• Excellent listening and communication skills

Job Outlook and Advancement:

• Physical therapists are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through the year 2006 as the demand for physical therapy services grows
• In 1997, school districts employed 4,345 fully certified/licensed physical therapists but had 342 vacancies

How to Prepare for a Career:

• Take a strong high school program in the sciences.
• Maintain a strong competitive high school grade point average
• Volunteer in a physical therapy setting
• Seek information from the American Physical Therapy Association

Resource Information: