CAREER ADVICE

Physical Therapist

If you believe you would like to help individuals slowed by injury or disease return to their previous level of function, then a career in physical therapy could be in your future. 

Joseph Leone, PT, MA, and Manager of Rehabilitation Therapies at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids recently spent some time with us discussing the career of physical therapy and its vital role in the health care sector.  He began with a tour through St. Luke’s Easy Street.  As you access Easy Street on the virtual tour, you begin to see how tasks and functions that we do everyday and take for granted need to be re-taught to many people after injury or disease.   

Mr. Leone said that a master’s degree in physical therapy is a requirement for a physical therapist.  However, this requirement is rapidly changing to an even higher standard in that a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), which is three to four years of education beyond a bachelor’s degree, is now expected.  The state of Iowa has DPT programs at St. Ambrose College, Des Moines University, and the University of Iowa.   Clarke College has a Master’s degree program.   In addition to passing a national test, some states have an additional test that must be successfully completed in order to become credentialed to practice.  Practical exposure to the career during college is needed, and undergraduates are required to have a certain amount of volunteer or paid hours to be admitted to a physical therapy education program. 

Physical Therapists evaluate the physical needs of the patient.  After reviewing medical tests and the physician’s findings, s/he performs an assessment of such things as the patient’s strength, flexibility, pain level, and level of movement capability.  Keeping in mind the goals of the patient and using the information learned during the assessment, the physical therapist then develops a plan for treatment, which often includes teaching the patient’s family how to help.  This process is all documented in the medical record.  

A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and must complete a two-year educational program.  Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids offers this degree.  Physical therapists evaluate patients, PTAs cannot.  PTAs carry out treatment plans established by physical therapists.  Fields of study related to physical therapy are occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, and athletic training. 

In Iowa physical therapists can evaluate and treat patients without a referral from a physician.  Practically speaking, however, most patients are referred by physicians because most hospitals and insurance companies as well as Medicare require a referral.  Some patients come for therapy without a referral for a variety of reasons, some of which may include a lack of insurance or the feeling that the help of a physician is not warranted.  In these situations the patient bears all associated costs of the services. 

Physical therapists work in a number of settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and private clinics.   Physical therapists evaluate and treat people of all ages, including children with developmental delays.  Some physical therapists work in the school system helping children with their mobility skills or providing them with seating and positioning resources to facilitate learning.  Oftentimes physical therapists provide education to students on injury prevention by explaining and demonstrating the need for the use of helmets, seatbelts, and other safety equipment during recreational activities.  They educate teachers and parents on the drawbacks of heavy backpacks that are often worn by young children. Therapists in other settings may lead classes for people with chronic diseases such as arthritis or osteoporosis, or for those who are at risk for developing secondary complications following stroke and other neurological or orthopedic problems. 

Physical Therapists working in industrial medicine treat workers injured on the job.  Therapists sometimes travel to work sites to determine why a work injury occurred and to develop methods to avoid similar injuries.  They may suggest the redesign of workstations to improve worker safety and decrease physical stress on the employee.  

Using proper body mechanics to lift and move patients is a requirement for the practitioner.  In fact, Mr. Leone said, “In the hospital setting we help patients relearn how to transfer and walk after surgery or injury.”   The size of the physical therapist or the need for superb strength is not as important as knowing the proper techniques to perform the heavy work.  He goes on to say, “It does help, however, to have flexibility and strength.  A clinician gets a lot stronger simply by doing the everyday work of a therapist.”  Most physical therapists understand the value of regular exercise for their overall wellbeing, so most of them work out on a regular basis.  “Overall, physical therapists are pretty fit people,” says Mr. Leone.

What studies should you be concentrating on while you are in high school if you are considering a career in this field?  Mr. Leone recommends that high school students should include a lot of science in their studies, especially biology, physiology, and psychology.  A strong math background will help prepare for graduate studies.  Students should also concentrate on their language skills both for the writing and the speaking that will be required in this field of work.  Computer skills in programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will be needed.  At St. Luke’s, accurate and fast typing skills are essential since most documentation is on-line.  Locally, high school students can get some exposure to physical therapy as a career through job shadows. 

Excellent people skills are a must.  You will be working with people who have neurological and orthopedic problems, as well as other health problems.  These patients are not only dealing with the physical problems of the disease or injury, but also with the trauma and shock of an altered self-image.  The physical therapist is one of many team members that help people deal with these changes.  In the case of a patient who has a permanent physical disability, the therapist needs to  compassionately convey to the patients that they will be able to do most of the things they were able to do, but in a different way.  While patience is a virtue, it is mandatory that the therapist exercise patience, not only with the person s/he is treating, but also the family members who have been affected by the situation.   Mr. Leone stated “By placing the patient and family at the center of the team, we are able to focus on their needs and quality of life.”  

Iowa requires that physical therapists receive 40 hours of continuation education each two years in order to be re-licensed.   For therapists and assistants at St. Luke’s, some of this education is gained at the hospital or in the community and some is gained at state and national conventions.  St. Luke’s Hospital has many experienced therapists and assistants and as a result is able to host some of their own educational opportunities.  Mr. Leone belongs to the American Physical Therapy Association, which is the national association for him and his colleagues.  Iowa also has an association and within that organization are local chapters.   Periodically, new techniques and equipment are developed due to research.  The newest acquisition in St. Luke’s program is a Lite Gait ä body weight supported gait-training device.  

There probably is no career in which stress, at least to some degree, does not enter into the picture.  This career is no different.  The constant need and requirement to have a high level of productivity can cause some stress.  In order to control expenses and comply with state and federal regulations, there are certain expectations in every physical therapy work setting about the volume of work and the need for complete and accurate documentation.   

The rewards far outweigh the demands of the work.  “When you know you have made a difference in someone’s life because of what you have been able to do with them, it is really rewarding,” stated Mr. Leone.  “Former clients like to come back after treatment and show you what they can do.”  He recalls a wheelchair-bound patient who had suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury.  “This patient owned his business and was naturally depressed because of the limitations the injury placed on him.  Four months after treatment, this man walked in.  He was so appreciative of our help.”  “Many people who have significant disabilities, whether from injury or disease, have residual problems, but we can feel really good about helping them get to their maximum level.”

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