Careers in pediatric physical therapy

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Careers in pediatric physical therapy

Children's Physical Therapist: Descriptions and Job Requirements

Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a child physical therapist. Get a quick view of the requirements and details about degree programs, work assignments and licenses to find out if this is a career for you.

Child physical therapists specialize in the care of children and young adults. They need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a license to reach this position. They may also need to meet the requirements to continue their education once they start working in their fields.

Important information

Pediatric physical therapists treat and examine children from birth to age 18 who have problems moving and doing other physical activities. Pediatric physical therapists help treat problems such as injuries, pre-existing conditions and problems caused by illness or disease. This career requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program. Physical therapists must also have a license to practice in all countries.

Job Description of Child Physical Therapy

A pediatric physical therapist is a physical therapist who specializes in treating and caring for patients who are toddlers, infants, children, adolescents and young adults. They treat conditions related to genetic, neurological, and orthopedic disorders. Techniques such as functional training and exercise are used in conjunction with medication and dietary changes. In addition, pediatric physical therapists use special medical equipment designed to help treat and reduce pain from conditions that hinder mobility.

A pediatric physical therapist works a typical 40-hour week with several nights and weekends needed. Staying emotionally strong and handling stress well is very important for this career because of the frustration patients experience with their condition. Having good communication skills helps when talking with family members and patients about treatment options and health conditions. Typical entrepreneurs for this career include personal practices, hospitals and other medical settings.

Requirements for Child Physical Therapy Experts

A child physical therapist needs a doctor of physical therapy, which usually takes three years to produce it. Educational programs need to be accredited by the American Therapy Therapy Association.

Specialties and minors are specifically directed to children's physical therapy. Students need to pursue these programs to get the right education to work with children. General courses in pediatric physical therapy programs include anatomy, sports physiology, biology, pharmacology, radiology, behavioral science and pathology. When enrolled in this education program, a pediatric physical therapist usually has to complete a number of supervised jobs through an internship or assistant.

According to the U.S. Labor Statistics Bureau, physical therapy is regulated in each state. The exact requirements for state licenses may vary, but generally they require completion of a National Physical Therapy Exam and a degree from an accredited education school. In many cases, pediatric physical therapists need to fulfill continuing education requirements every few years to renew their licenses.

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Job Outlook and Salary Information

In 2015, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported an average annual salary of $ 84,020 for physical therapists in general. From 2014-2024, jobs for these professionals are projected to develop far faster than the average, which is 34%, according to BLS.

The life of a pediatric physical therapist can be stressful, so candidates must consider whether they have adjusted to stress and family communication before pursuing this career path. Those who wish to specialize in a branch of pediatric physical therapy must pursue minors and specialization programs during their education.

What Does A Child Physical Therapy Expert Do?

  Pediatric physical therapists and patients do ladder exercises

Pediatric physical therapists know deep excitement because it helps children and their families achieve greater happiness in challenging situations. Since their field of medicine was born during the polio epidemic in the 1920s, these therapists have relied on a series of impressive techniques to treat musculoskeletal problems and improve the mobility of children who face various health conditions.

A physical therapist (PT) interviews children and their families and uses a physical examination to diagnose the source of difficulty in the movement of children. From there, the therapist guides and adjusts the treatment regimen individually. PT works to improve children's motor development, strength, range of motion, endurance, balance, coordination, difficulty in gait, endurance of the heart and lungs, and delay in motor development.

After significantly expanding their patient population for decades, pediatric physical therapists successfully treat patients using a range of skills and techniques that include:

- Manual manipulation and other physical therapy techniques

- Respiratory training and motoric learning

- "Therapy" development, recreation and play

- Adaptation of daily care activities with special needs of children

- Designing, adjusting and using assistive technology, orthotics and prosthetics

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Treatment of burns and wounds

Every child responds best to a unique treatment plan, carefully made, made by a therapist. PT children also teach children and their families about safety and training at home, because improving physical function often requires daily practice. Providing expert consultation to schools and day care centers is often the responsibility of the therapist as well. These professionals support families and children by coordinating care with other health care professionals and providing advocacy and social assistance if needed.

Therapists find motivation, a variety of challenges and great rewards when they work to strengthen and promote the independence and integration of children at home, at school and in the wider community.

Workplace Details

Pediatric physical therapists work in neonatal intensive care units, schools, outpatient care centers, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, or directly in children's homes. They also work in international development, and in disaster management where they can treat children who have lost limbs due to landmines or trauma related to war. PT children usually have a deep desire and natural talent to work with children with special needs and their families.

Depending on the settings, working hours vary. Therapists who work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and similar settings often enjoy the option of working full or part time. Those who work in school find their schedules affected by school hours. Therapists doing care at home often have to adjust their schedules to provide services to children during hours when they are at home, make night or weekend visits if necessary.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for a physical therapist is $ 85,400 per year. Pediatric physical therapists may be able to produce more, because of their special training and high demand. Salaries vary based on work arrangements; in general, physical therapists who work in nursing homes and health institutions at home get a higher salary. Salaries also vary based on geographical location. At present the main metropolitan area with the highest fees is Las Vegas. To get extra fees, physical therapists can also work as consultants for other businesses or organizations that need their expertise.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment growth rates for physical therapists from 2014 to 2024 will be 34%, which is much higher than the average. Children's physical therapists may expect the same growth rate. Job prospects are quite good thanks to new medical technology that extends the lives of children with special needs, such as premature babies and trauma victims, all of whom will need special therapist skills.