Physical Therapy Jobs – A Growing Job Market

The discipline of physical therapy covers a wide selection of career possibilities. A person might choose to be a physical therapist, an assistant or an aide or go into any number of specialties. You will be engaged in helping patients with certain situations and in some cases may serve as an alternative choice to, or work in conjuction with, surgery.

There are a wide range of settings in which physical therapists can choose to practice. For example they might work at hospitals, on faculties, health facilities, retirement properties and even their own private physical therapy clinics. The conditions they work with are various and embody those which are neurological, muscular and cardiovascular in nature.

Over the past several years many career fields have shrunk along with the economy as a whole. But there continues to be areas with bright outlooks and the promise of job growth, both now and into the foreseeable future. The shifting economy is at the root of some of the change but the biggest factor influencing the potential for physical therapy jobs, as well as employment in virtually all health care fields is the aging population. As more baby boomers reach retirement age they are going to be consulting with a physical therapist more and more.

There is no doubt that we live longer today than our parents and grandparents did, but our increased longevity has not been accompanied with an increase in our overall health. Joints still get weak, injured and worn out; muscles and connecting tissue still weaken and break down and our energy levels seem to plummet to the basement.

Job growth in the service sector has always been strong and health care fields are showing this same strong growth. The population increase together with openings caused by retirement  of the baby boomers promises long-term stability for many of these occupations.

Education and training must be kept in mind when you are thinking about a new career. It costs money and takes time to get the training required for many of the top paying careers. Evaluate your options carefully to be sure you make the wisest decision.

Studies at the university level continue to rise in cost but most of the jobs showing the best promise of growth in the near future are in fields which do not require a four year degree. Most require only a two year degree and some require only a certificate program coupled with on-the-job training. Nursing, health home care, retail, and customer service are examples of some fields which fall into the latter category.

The following are some of the occupations which the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects as top picks for job growth in the coming years. Many of these will go to persons holding only a 2-year degree with some being filled by high school graduates receiving on job training. Note that if you are considering one of the physical therapy jobs, your job outlook is looking up!

These are a few of the top picks by the BLS.

1. Dental Assistants

The job prospects for dental assistants according to the BLS should remain strong as they have been in recent years. As the population grows, we have more teeth than ever before to take to our dentists who are using new techniques to preserve and restore them. Their increased work load has them turning more of the routine functions over to assistants. Many of these assistants learn on the job with formal training programs of 1 year quite popular. Dental assistants can expect to annual earnings of between about $23,000 to $47,000 depending upon the market in which they live and their length on the job.

2. Physical Therapy Aides And Assistants

As mentioned above, the increasing aging population helps keep the projected job growth for anyone in the field of Physical Therapy above average.  The one down side is that there are also many persons who want to make a career in some area of physical therapy. So the competition for jobs is quite keen in some areas. This is bringing more emphasis on the candidate’s formal schooling. Most physical therapy aides continue to receive the bulk of their training on the job but the physical therapy assistants usually hold at least an associate degree. Earnings cover a span of about $29,000 to $55,000 per annum.

3. Rail Transportation Careers

Railroads aren’t very glamorous anymore, mainly because not too many people take notice of them. But they carry an awful lot of freight and are expected to continue to grow at about 9% per year. Not too many industries that have been around as long a the railroads can say that. Employment potential within the industry will also as many current workers face retirement. Most of the jobs will not require any higher education or outside training but pay quite well with hourly wages ranging from about $21.00 to $26.00 per hour.

4. Freight And Cargo Agents

The past couple years have not shown it but we are a nation of consumers and those goods have to be shipped form point A to point B (you) so you can buy them. This is another service sector that continues to show better than average  employment potential. You normally do not require any education beyond high school and learn on the job. Agents earn from about $13.50 to $28.00 per hour.

5. Account And Bill Collectors

This field and the job opportunities are expected to grow faster than any other sector. This is another occupation that you can learn on the job but applicants with some customer service experience will have the edge.Successful applicants can expect to earn between about $12.00 and $22.00 per hour.

In Summary

If getting one of the physical therapy jobs is your goal, you should have no trouble earning a living in the years ahead. But keep in mind that there are may be many applicants for each physical therapy job opening. It is a great occupation for caring, dedicated people.

The aim of physical therapists is to help patients regain function and decrease pain. They work with circumstances like damaged bones, strained muscles, arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's illness, mind damage, burns and wounds, congestive coronary heart failure, COPD, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injury. That is in no way a full checklist of what professionals in this discipline need to offer. Depending on the issue you're dealing with chances are you'll resolve to go on to a PT or get a referral from your primary care physician.

The first time you see a physical therapist she or he will consider your condition and develop a personalized regimen that is designed to reduce your discomfort and increase your mobility. From there, you will work together with your therapist to meet the goals of treatment. There are a number of the way therapists help their patients. One is thru physical train and manipulation of the affected area. Different methods that may be utilized by physical therapists include ultrasound technology, electrotherapy, massage, heat and ice. Your PT will select the therapy or combination of therapies they feel will work greatest for you.

If you are dealing with a medical situation that you or your physician believe may be helped by physical therapy, the first thing to do is discover a working towards skilled in your area. There are more than likely physical therapists at your local hospital as well as one or more private practices. Depending on the insurance coverage protection you will have, the cost of your therapy may or is probably not covered. Sometimes with a purpose to receive coverage your primary care physician must make a formal referral to your physical therapist. If you have questions about any such therapy and whether or not you may have protection communicate to your physician, a licensed therapist or your insurance provider may suggest a referral.

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1. Physical Therapy Aide Jobs Description