I am interested in pursuing an exercise science-related career and I potentially may utilize their services is become a Physical Therapist. What led me to research this career is that I came originally from the Philippines, I was taking my Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy when I was in the Philippines, it was a 5-year bachelor's degree and I only had 1 year left before graduating but I have to come here in the US since I'm going to be overage by the time I graduate and my immigrant petition will be useless unless I go here. So, I went and never really finished my degree there. Now I have to start all over again on my studies since it was a different curriculum that the Philippines and US followed. So here I am, taking this course as part of earning my Associate in Arts, Exercise Science: Pre-Physical Therapy degree. I am already interested in pursuing this as a career for my future and that is what led me to research about it.
To provide an overview of becoming a Physical Therapist and the working environment, I have researched what physical therapists do and I read in an online publication from the CGCC Library Ferguson's database stating, “Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain” (Physical therapists, 2019). Not only that, but they also help utilize the power and strength of healthy individuals. Physical Therapists’ work environment is typically “in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes. They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients” (Physical Therapists, 2019). This is true, a year ago, I volunteered at a rehabilitation center in Mesa, Arizona. I was on my feet constantly, walking in both hallways, going to patients’ rooms to get them ready for their therapy sessions, and rearranging equipment and modalities in the gym before and after the patient was done using them. Additionally, it is also constant interaction with the patients and clients, I had to talk to everyone for hours not even noticing that I wasn’t drinking any of the water I brought with me since I started my volunteer work that day. It was a tiring day but all I know is it was all worth it.
An overview of the expected daily job functions of physical therapists are, but are not limited to, pain management, and prevention of developing disability or disability that is already present in the individual to restore function and restore a person’s ability to do his or her activities of daily living independently. According to my research from the CGCC Library Ferguson's database, the outstanding Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center is an all-inclusive source of information outlining careers that allow users to promptly find essential and worthwhile career information that they need, stated that “Physical therapists provide care for many types of patients of all ages. This includes working with burn victims to prevent abnormal scarring and loss of movement, with stroke victims to regain movement and independent living, with cancer patients to relieve discomfort, and with cardiac patients to improve endurance and achieve independence” (Physical Therapists, 2019). These are some information on the population that physical therapists serve and the kind of service they provide. Physical therapists also educate their patients and clients regarding muscle reeducation, proper body mechanics, education about postural alignment, and overall relaxation.
Information about the expected salary of physical therapists that I found, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, which is a part of the federal government that has the authority to calculate labor market activity, job, and working environment, and price variations in the economy, stated that with a “national estimate of the mean hourly wage of $27.77 and mean annual wage of $57,750” (Occupational Employment and Wages, 2019). Depending on which industry the physical therapist will work but so far, according to my research, the top paying healthcare industry is working in Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly which offers a whopping $32.08 hourly mean wage and $66,730 for an annual mean wage. The state of Texas has the highest employment rate of physical therapists geographically nationwide with a minimum mean hourly wage of $33.60 and annual mean wage of $69,890. The projected career growth of “physical therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come from the aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life but are more susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy” (Physical Therapist, 2019). Some information on job satisfaction and quality of life of physical therapists cannot be defined by any textbook or taught by any professors. These social skills can be acquired on the job where the therapist can relate to a patient only in a way they know how to build the therapist-patient/client relationship and the individualized training plans they make for every patient and client they are helping.
As for now, my academic goal and desired degree path is to pursue a degree in physical therapy by finishing first, my Associate in Arts, Exercise Science: Pre-Physical Therapy degree at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. This degree has its distinct educational prerequisites namely general chemistry with lecture and laboratory, general biology, principles of human nutrition, general physics, elements of statics, and many more. Through my research, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an organization that represents a great number of students aiming to be a part of any of these professions: physical therapists, or physical therapist assistants. It also represents hundreds of thousands of physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants currently practicing in the field. APTA stated that “the length of a PTA program is typically 2 years (5 semesters) consisting of general education course, physical therapy courses, and clinical education. Primary physical therapy content areas in the curriculum may include but are not limited to, anatomy & physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, clinical pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, and ethics/values. Approximately seventy-five percent (75%) of the PTA curriculum comprises classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 25 percent (25%) is dedicated to clinical education. PT students spend on average 16 weeks in full-time clinical education experiences (American Physical Therapy Association, 2019). After all the school learning and education, physical therapy certification and licensure are required by all states. “Licensing requirements vary by state but all include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Several states also require a law exam and a criminal background check. Continuing education is typically required for physical therapists to keep their licenses (American Physical Therapy Association, 2019).
This career would be a good fit for me since I am just continuing my education and what I learned when I was in the Philippines. Both countries, the US and the Philippines, have their curriculum distinction, it is so divergent. Honestly, I’m still adjusting to the school curriculum that I was used to compared to what I am exposed to now that I‘m here. But even so, whichever I follow, my ultimate goal is to not fail myself in my studies. I know it will be a long journey before I reach the career I want to have for myself, it may take longer than expected, but I want my life to be successful someday, I want to be happy for everything that I’ve accomplished and will accomplish, even if it will take me for a very long journey. I’m always going to try my best and if there are bumps ahead of my future, I will still stand up and always be determined to move forward. For me, being successful is not a race I have to win right away, as long as I am happy with everything I do, with proper guidance from my family, peers, and educators, I believe that someday I can be anybody I want to be.
Reference
- American Physical Therapy Association. (2019). Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Education Overview. Retrieved from http://www.apta.org/PTAEducation/Overview/
- American Physical Therapy Association. (2019). The Physical Therapist Assistant Profession Turns 50. Retrieved from http://www.apta.org/Blogs/PTTransforms/2019/1/23/PTA50/
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018 31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants. (2019).
- In Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/OES/Current/oes312021.htm
- Physical therapists. (2019). In Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
- Physical Therapists. (2019). In Ferguson's career guidance center. Retrieved from https://fcg.infobase.com/recordurl.asp?aid=106409&id=1101792
- Sports. (2019). In Ferguson's career guidance center. Retrieved from https://fcg.infobase.com/recordurl.asp?aid=106409&id=1101798
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