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

PHYSICAL THERAPY: What Is It? How Can I Do It? Aimee M Diaz PT, DPT, SCS, ATC Director, Sports Residency Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy

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 • Nursing homes • Sports medicine settings • Inpatient rehab (clinics, athletic training • Private homes rooms, on-field) • Education, research • Fitness facilities centers • Private practices • Hospitals • Schools • Work settings

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 of 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 or 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 • Acute Care – Requires emergency • Cardiopulmonary management credential • Clinical • Orthopedics Electrophysiology • Neurological • Wound Care • Pediatrics • Women’s Health

Fellowships • Sports • Orthopedic – Division I Athlete – Manual Therapy – Upper Extremity Athlete – 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 • Letters of recommendation – USC Sports residency: not lower than 3.8 – Faculty member • Leadership – CI opportunities – ATC • Research, publications, presentations

Questions?