What other career paths are available to physical therapists besides therapy?

Question

Graduating with a physical therapy diploma seems to quickly leads to a stagnant professional dead-end. What career paths, other than treating or managing a physical therapy facility, exist for an experienced (let's say 5 years) physical therapist??

Answer 1

There are many different niches in which you can practice. Consider the possibility of practicing as a physical therapist in various settings: Acute care, rehab (both in a hospital), orthopedic outpatient, neuro (both inpatient and outpatient), pediatric, skilled nursing facility, home health. The different challenges of each area of PT are enough to keep the job from becoming stagnant.

A clinic in which you direct or manage can specialize in a specific area of care. You could, for example, open a clinic to specialize in rehabilitation of dancers, musicians, artists, athletes or specialize in a body part: foot and ankle, spinal, shoulder and knee, etc. You could even open a general health complex where you not only provide PT but also provide gym membership.

If you are looking for a path in which you stop performing PT altogether, you can teach high school, college, PT or PTA school. You could become involved in research. You could work as a medical supply representative. You could work as a case worker for insurance companies or worker's compensation.

You could eventually go back to school and explore the option of becoming a PA or physician.

Answer 2

We have many physical therapists in our company supplementing their income and doing very well. They have a good understanding of what is necessary, therefore find they excell.

Answer 3

Clinical research