Physical Therapist
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Annual openings
366
BLS median wage
$102,030
Typical education
Doctoral degree
10-year growth
+11%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Doctoral degree
Credential requirement
A certification is required for this job.
Credential detail
To practice, you will need to be certified by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) by passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapists.
Work experience
No previous work experience is required.
Experience detail
However, it is common for a person to work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Physical Therapy Assistant before they become a Physical Therapist.
Training
To practice, you will need to complete an approved Physical Therapist degree.
Employer competency information
Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills — Working very closely with other team members and patients is critical. It will be very important to understand, connect with, communicate to, and provide instructions to patients, regardless of their background or circumstances.
- Customer Focus — Providing excellent customer service is critical, reimbursements are based on patient feedback and outcomes.
- Critical & Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving & Decision Making — An important skill in developing and implementing patient care plans.
- Psychology — Understanding patients is important in order to be able to motivate them to make positive changes.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Healthcare
- Doctoral (Advanced Degree)
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
- Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.