(Newswire.net — March 30, 2021) — If you’re looking for a rewarding and lucrative career, you might be considering becoming a physiotherapist. This requires years of education and training, but if you’re ready to help people afflicted by an injury, disability, or illness through then, it’s sure to be rewarding.
As with most careers, the path toward becoming a physical therapist can take many different forms. If you’re trying to figure out how to become a physiotherapist in Sydney, you’re in the right hands. This guide will help get you started on your journey to becoming a licensed physiotherapist.
Keep reading to learn more.
Start With a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step in your journey of becoming a physiotherapist is to complete a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. This means meeting certain prerequisites. You’ll be taking courses in anatomy, biology, physiology, chemistry, and physics.
If you have a physical therapy program you want to enroll in, be sure to talk to them before enrolling to know the specific prerequisite requirements.
Complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program
Once you got your Bachelor’s, it’s time to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. There are over 200 physical therapy programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Completing this program will take a minimum of three years.
You’ll want to apply for these programs through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). You’ll also need to complete a clinical internship in an area such as acute or orthopedic care.
Once you’ve completed the physical therapy graduate program, then it’s time to live your dream of having a physical therapy career. Physical therapy is a rapidly growing profession, and more people are looking towards holistic approaches to healing. It’s a career choice that will always keep you occupied.
Become Licensed to Practice
After graduate school, all states require PTs to become licensed. The state decides the individual requirements, but it includes passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). This is a multiple-choice, computerized exam.
You’ll be taking the exam three times in twelve months. You’ll be able to practice for the test by using the Practice Exam and Assessment Tool.
The licensing requirements may also include a criminal background check and a law exam. You must check with your state board for the specific licensing requirements.
Complete Residency
Completing a residency isn’t required; it’s optional. However, this can give you additional training, coursework, and expertise in specialty areas of care. Most of these programs last about a year.
Afterward, you can specialize further by completing a fellowship in an advanced clinical area.
Obtain Board Certification
This is another optional step, but it’s a great choice that can help advance your career. After working in the field, you can apply to become a board-certified specialist.
There are currently eight clinical specialty areas that are offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. You’ll need to complete at least 2,000 hours of clinical work or an APTA-accredited residency program and pass an exam.
Employment and Salary
Now that you’ve spent years getting the training and education necessary to become a physical therapist, it’s time to get to work! One of the best parts of being a physiotherapist is that there are many organizations and companies you can apply to for work. Some institutions specialize in your particular interests or companies that focus on a broader practice.
As you continue to climb the ladder, you’ll be able to work in rehabilitation centers or hospitals. There’s also plenty of opportunities in nursing homes and multidisciplinary clinics. If that weren’t enough— spas, fitness gyms, sports facilities, and clubs all need physiotherapists.
Once you complete your physical therapy graduate program, the world is your oyster. You can apply to any of these companies and work your way up from there.
Physical therapists made a median salary of almost $90,000 in 2019. The actual amount you’ll make depends on various factors, including where you work, expertise, and how many years you’ve spent in the health care industry.
Private Practice
Maybe you aren’t so interested in working for an organization or facility. Perhaps you’d rather be your own boss and work at a private practice. You can open up a rehabilitation center or recreation facility.
Don’t worry about not getting as much work if you run your own business. You’ll likely have the same work schedule as someone who is employed with a company.
You’ll have to start by doing plenty of research to see who your patients would be and what it would take for them to choose your clinic over other options. Be sure to do some friendly research on your competitors.
After that, it’s time to develop a business and marketing plan. This will serve as a roadmap for your business. You’ll be able to keep track of your goals, secure funding, and get the word out.
From there, it’s all about finding the location, designing the space, and using the right software for physiotherapy practices.
Once it’s all done, you can sit back and relax for a moment. This is your time to celebrate. You’ve made it!
How to Become a Physiotherapist
You know the saying, “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”? If helping people with their physical ailments is something you love to do, then you’ll want to know how to become a physiotherapist. This career is not only spiritually rewarding, but it has financial benefits as well.
Although you’ll need to study hard and get a good education, you’ll be at the finish line before you know it, working your dream job.
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