PHYSICAL THERAPY: What Is It? How Can I Do It? Aimee M Diaz PT, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Aimee M Diaz PT, DPT, SCS, ATC Director, Sports Residency Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy

PHYSICAL THERAPY: What Is It? How Can I Do It?

APTA Vision Statement

"Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.“ (apta.org)

Who Are Physical Therapists

• Movement Specialists

– Restore, retain, promote optimum physical function

• Improve or restore mobility with patients
• Prevent the loss of mobility with fitness and wellness

clients

• Examine each individual and develop a plan to

promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability

Practice Settings

• Outpatient clinics
• Sports medicine settings

(clinics, athletic training rooms, on-field)

• Fitness facilities
• Private practices
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Work settings
• Nursing homes
• Inpatient rehab
• Private homes
• Education, research

centers

Educational Requirements

• Graduate Degree (MPT, DPT) from an

accredited program in order to sit for national licensure exam

– 212 accredited programs, 96% offer DPT

Licensure Requirements

• State-administered national licensure exam
• Specific requirements will vary state-to-state

– CA PT Law Exam

Benefits of a Career in Physical Therapy

• Make a difference!
• Love what you do!

– Forbes rated PT as one of the “Ten Happiest Jobs” in 2011 and 2013 (apta.org)

• Be a movement expert
• Job security

– Between 2012-2022, PT employment expected to increase by 36% (apta.org)

• Be an entrepreneur

– 21% of PTs are owners or part-owners in a PT practice (apta.org)

Preparing for Admissions

• PTCAS (Physical Therapy Centralized

Application Service)

– Allows single, web-based application and one set

• f materials to apply for multiple programs

– Facilitates admissions process for both applicant and programs – Not all programs use PTCAS

Admissions Requirements: Coursework

• http://www.ptcas.org/ProgramPrereqs/

Admissions Requirements: Observation Hours

• http://www.ptcas.org/ptcas/public/pthours.aspx?navID=10737426790

Additional Requirements

• GRE

– Recommend taking at a minimum 6 weeks prior to application deadline – Most programs have minimum requirement

• References (1-4, depending on institution)
• Official transcripts

Recommendations

• Round out application

– Research – Community service – Leadership endeavors

• Visit programs, meet with Director of Admissions
• r Admissions Coordinator

– USC information sessions, October through December

• Dates will be posted in September

PTCAS Pearls

• Review PTCAS Checklist
• Submit application early

– Some programs have rolling admissions – ~18,000 applications, ~9,000 spots

Resources

http://www.apta.org/Careers/

Residency and Fellowship Education

• Residencies

– Post-professional programs designed to fast-track specialty practice

• Fellowships

– Post-professional programs in sub-specialty areas

Residencies

• Sports

– Requires emergency management credential

• Orthopedics
• Neurological
• Pediatrics
• Women’s Health
• Acute Care
• Cardiopulmonary
• Clinical

Electrophysiology

• Wound Care

Fellowships

• Sports

– Division I Athlete – Upper Extremity Athlete

• Orthopedic

– Manual Therapy – Spine – Movement – Performing Arts

Admissions Process for Residencies and Fellowships

• RF-PTCAS (Residency and Fellowship Physical

Therapy Centralized Application Service)

Preparing for Admission: Residencies and Fellowships

• Decide on specialty
• Contact Residency Director

– CSM Residency and Fellowship Forum

• Specific requirements for each program

– Sports residencies will all have emergency management credential (current: ATC, EMT, or EMR)

Pearls for Residencies and Fellowships

• GPA

– USC Sports residency: not lower than 3.8

• Leadership
• pportunities
• Research, publications,

presentations

• Letters of

recommendation

– Faculty member – CI – ATC

Questions?