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 ( 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