What Training is Required for a Physiotherapist Career?

<p>Physiotherapists, or physical therapists, are required to have a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and licensure to practice in the United States. Physical therapy graduate degree programs train students to help people recover from physical injury and illness, by focusing on improving their movement and managing their pain. Physiotherapists develop a plan of care and assist in the physical rehabilitation process. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Interpersonal skills, physical stamina and dexterity, compassion, analytic and observational skills</td></tr> <tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Hospitals, rehabilitation centres, pediatric and geriatric care centres, home health agencies, athletic centres, orthopaedic settings</td></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2018)</td><td> $87,930 (<i>for all physical therapists</i>)*</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2016-2026)</td><td> 28% (<i>for all physical therapists</i>)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h2 id="section---HowToBecomeAPhysiotherapist">How to Become a Physiotherapist</h2> <h3 id="section---PhysiotherapySchooling">Physiotherapy Schooling</h3> <p>As part of your physiotherapist education, you must complete a graduate degree program in physical therapy accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). A bachelor's degree is required for admission into these programs and, though a specific major isn't usually stipulated, most schools require that you have completed a certain number of prerequisite courses in the sciences and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Health-Related_Bachelors_Degree_Programs_Your_Questions_Answered.html">human health</a> to qualify for entrance. Some programs may also require that you have participated in paid or volunteer work involving physical therapy in a clinical setting. </p> <h3 id="section---DoctoralDegreeCoursework">Doctoral Degree Coursework</h3> <p>A doctoral degree program provides extensive, hands-on training in clinical methods and equipment that you will use to treat patients. You rotate and practice in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Best_Medical_Schools_for_Pediatrics.html">pediatrics</a>, orthopedics, geriatrics, and sports clinics. Typical coursework often covers the following topics: </p> <ul><li>Physiology </li><li>Anatomy </li><li>Neuroscience </li><li>Musculoskeletal rehabilitation </li><li>Biomechanics </li><li>Pharmacology </li></ul><h3 id="section---Licensure">Licensure</h3> <p>All states require you to be licensed in order to practice as a physiotherapist. Although requirements vary by state, you must generally pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE); the five-hour exam is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and consists of 250 questions (<i>www.fsbpt.org</i>). You may need to take continuing education credits in order to maintain licensure. </p> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>Physiotherapists work with patients in order to improve their overall mobility and well-being. In physiotherapy, you often work with patients after they experience an injury or physical trauma. Using a variety of techniques, you create and implement a plan of treatment that is specific to each patient's needs. You help restore patients' bodies to full functionality through stretching, heat therapy and prescribed strength-building exercises. </p> <h3 id="section---RequiredSkills">Required Skills</h3> <p>As their work revolves around treating and rehabilitating people who are ill, injured, and in pain, physiotherapists must exhibit a high level of compassion to properly care for their patients. They must also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a keen eye for detail to thoroughly diagnose and analyze the medical conditions presented to them. As much of their work involves using their hands to perform therapeutic treatments, they must also display a high level of dexterity.</p>