I work with patients to help restore their mobility and bring them back to their highest functioning level. Currently I am doing acute in-patient care at a hospital.

EDUCATION | I have a B.S. in physical therapy and have taken many continuing education classes annually. You are now required to have your masters or doctorate degree in physical therapy.

HOW TO GET STARTED | First, go to a hospital and other physical therapy clinics and spend time observing what physical therapy is all about. If you're interested, then check out which schools offer degrees in physical therapy, including a masters degree or doctorate in this field. Nowadays, you must earn at least a masters degree for this profession.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | You need to be an out-going person and a hard worker as this career is both physically and emotionally challenging.

how I got started | I originally planned on going into pre-med, but when my sister went into physical therapy, I became interested. I saw what she was doing and I liked the autonomy of it. Also, I thought I would enjoy the variety of opportunities and areas that this line of work offered. So, I switched gears and began to study physical therapy. I was told that after I graduated I should work two years in a hospital and gain experience with in- and out-patient care, rehabilitation, etc. so that is what I did. Then I spent time working in private practice and home health. Now, I'm back at working in a hospital.

why this job?| I've always liked having the chance to help people. As a physical therapist I am able to take a patient from a state of not having certain mobility in his legs or arms, for example, and help him get back to a functioning level. That is very rewarding.

why I love this job!| After 30 years I still really love working with patients. I love the stimulation of having to decipher the best way to help each individual. This job also has been a great fit for raising a family as I can sort of tailor my schedule. I now work part-time. Also, I enjoy the interaction with my patients as well as the nurses and doctors.

my typical day| I clock in at the hospital at 7:30 a.m., three days a week. I start my day by assigning patients to myself and other therapists; then I begin treatments. I typically see some medical/surgical patients as well as ICU patients throughout the day. I assess each patient to determine whether or not it is safe for them to return home and I set up goals for them. I see around 6 to 8 patients a day training them in transfers, gait, mobility and exercising them. Then I clock out at about 4:00 p.m.

what they are | My biggest challenge right now as I grow older is how physically taxing my job is. While helping patients, I do a lot of lifting and exercising with patients and I feel it! Another challenge is not having access to all the equipment I would like in order to treat the patient more easily.

all about growth | With a masters or doctoral degree in physical therapy you can teach at a university. There are many opportunities for professional growth depending on the setting. Hospitals offer management and supervisory opportunities. There are many areas of expertise that allow for private practice and different in-patient settings such as orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology (spinal cord, M.S.), aqua therapy, geriatrics, and pediatrics.

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