Of all the careers in the health care industry, physical therapists (PTs) continue to be in high demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physical therapists is expected to grow an estimated 34 percent between 2014 and 2024, a rate far above the average of other professions. We should also see a similar demand for physical therapist assistants during the same period of time.
While some of this growth will be attributed to aging baby boomers, physical therapy is considered by many to be a contributing factor in improved patient outcomes, fewer trips to the ER, shortened hospital stays and more rapid, long-term recovery. Physical therapy not only helps lower health care costs, it promotes patient well-being as well, which is a win-win for the health care industry.
What Employers Are Looking For In a Physical Therapist
What are employers looking for in a physical therapist? Although one of the basic requirements employers are looking for in a PT applicant is a degree in physical therapy, along with a license to practice in the state, employers generally want to see certain qualities in their applicants. Qualities employers often sought after include:
- Professionalism
- Initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Good communication skills
- Competence
- Flexibility
- Adaptability
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork
- Creativity and problem solving
- Honesty
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivation
- Willingness to learn
- Dependability
Specific certification could also be required, depending on the facility. For example, some employers may be looking for someone who has worked in an outpatient clinic before, or has spent time treating geriatric patients. In certain instances, an employer will need to find a PT who has attained specialist certification in sports or women's health. Highlighting your certifications and past employment could help you stand out from other potential applicants.
PT Positions Available
If you are a physical therapist with either a B.S. in Physical Therapy or a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, we may have a PT position suited for you. It doesn't matter whether you are a recent graduate or a PT with years of experience, The People Link will work hard to get you connected up with the right employer.
As of right now, we have more than 60 different physical therapist positions available throughout the United States. We have jobs for PTs in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
Many of these positions are in outpatient clinics, although we do have PT positions in home health, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient clinics and pediatrics. We also have a few PT Director positions needing to be filled and one PT position at a Hippotherapy Ranch.
In Search of the Ideal PT Job? Contact The People Link Today!
Whether you are looking for a PT job, interested in starting a new career, planning to relocate, or need some help getting your resume ready to begin the job search, The People Link is here to help. The People Link is a professional recruitment service with more than two decades experience of finding and placing qualified health care and PT candidates throughout the U.S. Our success can be seen in our client testimonials, as well as our extremely high retention rate of 98%.
To find out more about PT jobs currently available, please visit our current job listings, fill out a job application form or call 818-890-9998 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.