Physical therapists are increasingly taking on non-clinical roles that expand their careers beyond the typical patient care setting, helping reduce physical demands while creating more work/life balance for themselves.
Alternative therapies include methods such as acupuncture, dry needling and cupping that are designed to relax patients and ease pain while simultaneously improving holistic wellbeing.
Traditional Therapies
As a physical therapist, your main focus will likely be treating medical conditions and injuries directly on patients. But there are also non-clinical physical therapy jobs that allow you to utilize your skills outside the traditional clinical role – ideal if you want to reduce physical demands on the job, explore new career possibilities or influence healthcare at an organizational level. Non-clinical positions offer greater flexibility and growth opportunities.
Traditional Therapies
Physical therapy often entails teaching patients exercises designed to increase mobility, reduce pain and strengthen weakened muscles. Exercise types may include passive movements like guided by a physical therapist to move stiff or locked joints or active moves undertaken by themselves; heat/cold treatments, electrical stimulation ultrasound massages are often employed too.
Physical Therapy in Schools
One of the most rewarding and fulfilling physical therapy jobs involves working with special needs students on Individualized Education Plans (IEP). A primary issue among these children is balance; using balance boards and therapeutic exercise programs provided by physical therapy services, PT can assist these pupils in improving their balance while walking between classes, riding school buses or playing playground equipment.
Animal Therapy
Another unique physical therapy job involves providing rehabilitation services for injured or sick pets. This field has become increasingly popular as more people adopt companion animals, leading to pet physical therapy centers opening and more veterinary hospitals offering rehabilitation services specifically designed for pets.
Enter Value Based Care
Though value-based care may not be the panacea healthcare professionals hope for, it has opened up opportunities for physical therapists (PTs) interested in moving out of clinical work and into business and leadership-focused roles. Here, PTs assist providers and insurance companies to create partnerships that prioritize patient outcomes over short-term financial gains.
Consulting, education and research are among the many roles Physical Therapists (PTs) can pursue outside the clinical setting. To qualify for such nonclinical roles typically requires at least a master’s degree in an applicable subject and experience working within healthcare system and knowledge of health policy; additionally a master’s in administration or doctorate of education could prove fruitful; certifications in wellness coaching or healthcare management will further bolster resume and make you a more competitive candidate for non-clinical roles.
