Jobs In The Physical Therapy Seattle Sector

By Daphne Bowen


Entering a medical program involves many steps and stages in terms of education and training. This is certainly the case for the physical therapy Seattle, WA sector of the bourgeoning healthcare field. It is a wonderful career, however, involving work with all kinds of patients who have body functions and physical disabilities.

Being part of a rehabilitation program means addressing pain and improving mobility and strength. Patients can variously be accident victims or those afflicted with disorders (some congenital) like cerebral palsy, brain damage, heart disease, arthritis, and more. Many are extremely debilitating. A PT, as the profession is known, works on a team with other providers to ensure correct diagnosis and a prescribed appropriate treatment plan. The result will be better motor function and posture, improved muscle strength and performance, and smother coordination of body movements.

Whatever the patient load, the PT works with other healthcare professions to provide a uniform total care plan that includes diagnosis and assessment as well as treatment. Most plans will address motor function, muscle strength, posture, breathing, and body movement coordination.

A good PT keeps documents and records so details can be shared with other staff. This way progress is charted for posterity and consultation. It is just one of many demands on the therapist's time. But participants wouldn't have it any other way. Thus it is a career that is sought by many.

At the higher level, the student pursues a master's degree and/or doctorate before taking qualifying exams for licensing. It is a matter of what kind of career the student wishes to pursue within the umbrella field, and there are 200 institutions in the US alone from which to choose.

To become a therapist in the field, most states require the NPTE or National Physical Therapy Examination. There may be others, but this is the most common. In additional, each candidate must show English proficiency if foreign. All the required documents are presented before entering the program of choice. Finally there is the matter of licensing in one's state of residency.

It is a tough road, but well worth the effort to obtain one's ideal position. Some graduates prefer a hospital setting and others like a rehab or orthopedic center. A plausible opportunity is also to go into private practice. Each option has its own requirements in terms of education and previous experience, but licensing is always mandatory.

Thus, it is not an easy road to follow and it takes many years, but it is a rewarding and lucrative one. The salary for the average therapist is in the $80,000 range. It depends upon one's education and experience and whether one wishes to work in a hospital setting, a rehab or orthopedic center, or on one's own in private practice, which is a less common choice. It is a competitive field, but if you have what it takes you can be part of one of the most expansive fields in healthcare today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to rise by 30% in the near future. Those who are dedicated and caring will surely find their niche.




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