how to become a pediatric physical therapy

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how to become a pediatric physical therapy

If you’re interested in how the human body functions and operates and enjoy working with children, consider pursuing a role as a pediatric physical therapist. These professionals collaborate closely with patients and their families to diagnose certain physical conditions and develop treatments to increase their mobility. There are many qualifications to meet in order to perform effectively in this role. In this article, we review what a pediatric physical therapist is, the responsibilities they hold and how to become a pediatric physical therapist.

What is a pediatric physical therapist?

A pediatric physical therapist works closely with children from infants to teenagers to diagnose any medical conditions that may affect their movement or physical health and perform treatments. They typically use therapy techniques to enhance the strength, range of motion, balance, development, coordination and endurance of children to help them move more comfortably. Pediatric physical therapists often use their enhanced communication and interpersonal skills to analyze patients and develop a personalized treatment plan well suited to their needs and abilities.

What does a pediatric physical therapist do?

Pediatric physical therapists spend time working with children and their facilities to conduct regular activities to improve their movement and mobility after undergoing an illness, disease or accident. There are a wide variety of locations pediatric physical therapists may work in, such as clinics, schools, rehabilitation facilities or hospitals. Others may travel to the patients’ homes to conduct therapy sessions. Some pediatric physical therapists care for patients’ wounds or physical injuries by fitting them for prosthetics or other assistive technology equipment and teaching them how to these items.

Common job duties that pediatric physical therapists are often responsible for include:

  • Meeting with children and their families to learn more about any pain or symptoms they’re experiencing from their disorder, illness or injury
  • Conducting examinations and assessments to develop accurate diagnoses for certain medical conditions
  • Developing personalized treatment plans and goals to help patients improve their mobility and functions
  • Performing activities to help patients more easily move their bodies in a less painful manner and finding ways to improve the movements of injured areas while experiencing little to no pain
  • Monitoring the progress of patients and adjusting treatment plans accordingly
  • Finding other ways to improve a patient’s physical well-being, like exercise, diet modifications and medications
  • Educating patients and their parents on activities they can conduct at home to improve their mobility and movements

How to become an effective pediatric physical therapist

Earning a position as a pediatric physical therapist typically consists of earning the necessary education, license and specialty certification. Follow these steps to become a great pediatric physical therapist:

1. Receive your bachelor’s degree

An undergraduate program can provide you with an introduction to physical therapy. Consider majoring in subjects like child development, physiology, biology, neuroscience, anatomy or a related field. These programs can teach you the basic scientific fundamentals used to complete common tasks as a pediatric physical therapist. Earning a high GPA in one of these majors can increase your chances of getting into the graduate program of your choice.

2. Earn your doctoral degree

After graduating with your bachelor’s degree, you can start the application process for graduate school. Most employers and states require pediatric physical therapists to hold a doctoral degree. Consider researching different accredited physical therapy graduate programs to find one that fits your needs and preferences. A Doctorate of Physical Therapy program typically lasts around two to three years, as you take in-depth courses containing a mixture of both classroom and laboratory lectures.

During this program, you can learn about various forms of physical therapy as you study subjects like body systems, pharmacology and radiology. You typically get the option to specialize in pediatric physical therapy. This allows you to focus your studies more closely on child development and mobility techniques.

3. Pursue your internship and residency

As you attend graduate school, you can complete an internship at a medical facility. This helps you gain experience in your desired field and understand what it’s like to work in a healthcare environment before committing to it full time. During your internship, you may shadow and receive supervision from a licensed physician. From there, you can apply for a residency to shadow a pediatric physical therapist to learn more about child development, body systems and anatomy.

4. Gain your license

When you complete your programs and gain the required hours of clinical supervision, you can apply to become a licensed pediatric physical therapist in your state. These requirements typically vary depending on your location. Most of them require you to hold a valid degree from an accredited graduate program. They also usually require you to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam which the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy administers.

This test typically assesses your abilities and knowledge gained from on-the-job training and classroom lectures throughout your time as a student. The exam’s difficulty level and length often depend on the requirements of your state as well. Be sure to conduct research on your individual state’s guidelines to better understand what’s needed to receive your license.

5. Get a specialty certification

When you’re awarded your physical therapist license from your state, gain experience in pediatric physical therapy through specialty training. This often involves shadowing a pediatric physical therapist and getting supervision as you work with patients. To receive your certification with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, they require you to have at least 2,000 hours working in your specialty. The board also administers a test quizzing you on your knowledge of pediatric physical therapy. Once you pass, you can receive your official certification as a pediatric physical therapist, allowing you to legally work as one.

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