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So you want to be a Physical Therapist?

Explore the path to becoming a Physical Therapist with Christina Lee, MSPT, OCS, co-owner of Santa Ana Tustin Physical Therapy. Learn about the educational requirements, varied working environments, job prospects, and rewarding aspects of this healthcare profession.

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So you want to be a Physical Therapist?

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  1. So you want to be a Physical Therapist? Presented by Irvine High PTA Christina Lee MSPT, OCS

  2. Christina Lee MSPT,OCS • Co-Owner of Santa Ana Tustin Physical Therapy • My son Devin is a Sophomore at IHS • My path: • Undergraduate Degree in Exercise Physiology from CSU Fresno • Masters in Physical Therapy from University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA • Have worked in multiple settings including acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics • Co-owner of clinic for 8 years.

  3. What is a Physical Therapist? • Physical Therapist is a healthcare professional that restores function, corrects movement patterns, relieves pain, and improves mobility of clients of all ages. • They use exercise, manual therapy techniques, patient/client/family education, equipment, muscle re-training

  4. Educational Path • Most Physical Therapy programs are “Entry level DPT or Masters” programs. • Undergraduate degree is not in Physical Therapy, but rather a degree related to it such as biology, exercise science, or kinesiology. • Allows you to take the required pre-requisites (chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, psych, stats, microbiology) • Each school is a little different as far as pre-requisites required. • Take GRE • Volunteer hours (40-100 hrs, varied settings)

  5. DPT • Doctorate in Physical Therapy • Different than Ph.D. or MD. • Typically 3 years of post graduate work, including 1 year of clinical experience. • Local schools- Chapman, Azusa Pacific, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Mt. Saint Mary’s, USC, St. Augustine (San Diego)

  6. Different types of working environments • Hospital (Inpatient Acute Care) • Outpatient Orthopedics • Rehabilitation Hospital • Pediatrics/ Schools • Home Health • Hand Therapy • Multiple specialty options: Cardio-pulm, Electrophysiology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Sports

  7. Job prospects and Salary • According the Bureau of Labor Statistics: • Employment of PT’s to grow 34% between 2014 and 2024 • Opportunities to work part-time, somewhat flexible schedule • Average hourly salary for a PT is $40, and average annual salary is $84,000. • California has the highest employment level and salaries are higher than national average ($45/hr, $95K/yr)

  8. Why become a PT???? • Help people • Teach people about their bodies and how they work • Not stuck behind a desk, Active job • Chance to meet all kinds of people (co-workers, other healthcare professionals) • Possibility of flexible schedule • Possibility of ownership

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