The Career Profile of Dr. Micheal Puthoff, Physical Therapist
What is your job like? (from American Physical Therapy Association literature, http://www.moveforwardpt.com/why-a-pt/)
Physical therapists are focused on improving or restoring mobility and function. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. Physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages, including newborns, children, and elderly individuals. They may consult and practice with other health professionals to help improve their patient’s mobility.
Physical therapists complete a patient examination to determine the cause of the patient’s problems. Based on the findings, an individualized intervention program is created to address the patient’s problems. This typically involves exercise, education, and modification of the environment.
What is a typical day?
Based on the setting where a physical therapist works, the day can vary. I currently work at a hospital where the usually schedule is 8AM – 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. Then the staff rotates who works on the weekend. Therapists in an outpatient clinic will typically only work Monday-Friday, but some may have early morning hours or evening hours to meet the needs of their patients who work. Most therapists work 40 hours a week, but some therapists may work less for personal reasons. There is a lot of flexibility in this job.
What is the typical entry level job for someone in your field like?
New graduates will typically enter one of the settings listed above. In most situations new graduates will seek out a situation where they work closely with more experienced therapists. Some facilities even have formal mentoring programs in place.
How did you get into this field?
I had an interest in healthcare as a high school student. I performed observation hours at a local hospital to learn more about the profession. I found that physical therapy would be a great fit for me. It is a challenging and rewarding job. Physical therapists work closely with so many other healthcare worker, such as doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists to name a few, but also have a lot of professional freedom when working with patients.
Is college necessary to get into your field?
Yes. In order to become a physical therapist as graduate level degree is required. Most programs offer the doctor of physical therapy as the entry level degree. After a student finishes their bachelor’s degree, then they apply to a graduate program in physical therapy.
Is there a particular course of study you would recommend a student take in college for your field?
Students interested in physical therapy will have to take certain prerequisites to qualify for physical therapy school. Each program has slightly different requirements, but in general students are expected to take a year of biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy & physiology. Additionally classes in psychology, statistics, and math are typically required. As for an undergraduate major, that is really up to the student. Most physical therapists have bachelor’s degrees in biology, psychology, kinesiology, or exercise physiology/science. As long as the prerequisites are completed, most schools do not care what your bachelor’s degree is in.
Is there a certain type of experience you recommend students get?
The best thing to do is shadow a practicing physical therapist. Ask him or her why they chose physical therapy as a profession. What do they like about their job, what don’t they like about their job. Ask questions about what they are doing. It is also beneficial to explore other healthcare related jobs to make sure physical therapy is the right choice.
What would make a newly graduated student stand out when applying for jobs in your field?
Most employers are looking for self motivated individuals who have a commitment to lifelong learning with strong critical thinking skills. Employers want to know that their therapists will value self improvement and that they understand that learning continues after graduation.
How does real life physical therapy compare to what is the public’s perception?
I think a lot of people think that all physical therapists do is work with people who have sports injuries or individuals who have musculoskeletal problems. However physical therapists work with patients in a range of settings. For example I had worked with patients on mechanical ventilators getting them up and moving while still on the ventilator. I have also worked with patients before and after bariatric surgery to help them become more physically active. Physical therapists work in a range of areas that so many people have not seen.
What do you like the most about working in your field?
I like two areas the most. First seeing patients improve and make significant improvements in their quality of life. Second I like the constant challenges of the job. No two patients are exactly alike. As a physical therapist you have to always be thinking about the individual and how you reach the person in front of you.
What do you like the least about working in your field?
Some people chose physical therapy because they think they won’t have to deal with patient dying. However working in the geriatrics field of physical therapy, you have patients that don’t get better and some that never leave the hospital. You also work with patients who have given up on life and no matter how hard you try, you can’t change their mind set.
Are there any particular college and universities which stand out in preparation for students in your field?
Disclosure: I am also a faculty member of the St. Ambrose University Physical Therapy Department. So of course I think we have an excellent program at St. Ambrose University. We have a program called Track I where qualified high schools can apply and if accepted they have a conditional spot in the graduate program. Track I gives students the security that they are already in the graduate program. See our website for all the details and requirements. We have 3 other wonderful physical therapy programs in the state of Iowa; Des Moines University, Clarke University, and University of Iowa. Visit the American Physical Therapy Association website, www.apta.org, to see a listing of all the programs across the country.
Is there anything else you would recommend to a student interested in your career area?
No matter what field you go into, you will likely be doing the job for another 40 years of your life. Do you research to make sure you know as much about the profession as you can.
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