Jobs In The Physical Therapy Seattle Sector

By Daphne Bowen


There are many promising careers in healthcare for which you can train. Many are in the sector of physical therapy Seattle, WA and entail such rehab programs as mobility and strength improvement and pain relief. Being a PT, as it is known in the field, can be very rewarding as you help care for and ameliorate the lives of those suffering from injury and disease. It is all about restoring basic body functioning and preventing any further disabilities.


Being part of a rehabilitation program means addressing pain and improving mobility and strength. Patients can variously be accident victims or those afflicted with disorders (some congenital) like cerebral palsy, brain damage, heart disease, arthritis, and more. Many are extremely debilitating. A PT, as the profession is known, works on a team with other providers to ensure correct diagnosis and a prescribed appropriate treatment plan. The result will be better motor function and posture, improved muscle strength and performance, and smother coordination of body movements.

Many tools of the trade must be learned as well as advanced techniques. Ultrasounds are common and such mobility devices as leg braces, prosthetics, walkers, and wheelchairs. A PT may elect to use adjunct processes such as electric stimulation, deep tissue massage, and cold or hot compresses. Patient improvement comes from many sources, while it takes considerable time.

A therapist must understand the role of various techniques and tools will plying his or her trade. Ultrasounds are common, and in the patient assistance area there are walkers, prosthetics, leg braces, and wheelchairs. Electric stimulation is favored by many along with palliative approaches such as deep tissue massage, hot and cold packs, etc. It is usually a long process to recovery requiring patience and dedication.

At the higher level, the student pursues a master's degree and/or doctorate before taking qualifying exams for licensing. It is a matter of what kind of career the student wishes to pursue within the umbrella field, and there are 200 institutions in the US alone from which to choose.

A graduate program follows an undergraduate degree and entails a specific PT program. Entrance exams are often required in this very competitive arena such as the GRE or Graduate Record Exam. It goes without saying that all institutions should be accredited and recognized. All educational documentation must be presented, including English proficiency certification for foreign students.

It is a tough road, but well worth the effort to obtain one's ideal position. Some graduates prefer a hospital setting and others like a rehab or orthopedic center. A plausible opportunity is also to go into private practice. Each option has its own requirements in terms of education and previous experience, but licensing is always mandatory.

If one's has the aptitude and interest, this is an exciting, expanding area in the healthcare industry and one that is needed in urban and rural regions alike. You can see from the website of the American Physical Therapy Association that it is very specialized and takes a great deal of education, training, and licensing but if one is dedicated to the task and wants to help patients, this is the right career indeed.




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