How To Become Physiotherapist: Course, Job, Roles, Salary, Skills And More

Introduction

A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who helps people recover from injuries or illnesses by restoring function and movement. They use techniques like exercise, manipulation, and electrotherapy, to improve their patient’s mobility and strength.

Physiotherapists are crucial to the healthcare team, who work in

1. Hospitals
2. Clinics
3. Private practices.

They can also work with athletes, people with disabilities, and older adults.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to become a physiotherapist. We will cover the different courses and qualifications you need, the roles and responsibilities of a physiotherapist, and the salary potential for this career.

Eligibility to pursue the Physiotherapy course

The minimum educational requirement to become a physiotherapist is a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) 4-year undergraduate degree and 6 months Internship.

To be eligible for a BPT program, you must have completed your 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as your main subjects. You must also have scored a minimum of 50% in these subjects. In addition to this, you should appear for NEET entrance exam. In addition to the academic requirements, you should also have a strong interest in science and healthcare. You should be able to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. You should also be able to work well under pressure and maintain a professional demeanour.

How to Become a Physiotherapist?

There are four main paths to becoming a physiotherapist:

• Diploma: This two-year program is offered by some colleges and universities. It is a good option for people who want to become physiotherapists but do not have the time or money to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree: This is the most common path to becoming a physiotherapist. It is a four-year program offered by most colleges and universities. A bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy will teach you the core skills and knowledge you need to become a successful physiotherapist.
• Master’s degree: A master’s degree in physiotherapy is a more advanced degree that can give you the skills and knowledge you need to specialize in a particular area of physiotherapy, such as paediatrics or sports medicine.
• Doctoral degree: A doctoral degree in physiotherapy is the highest level of degree you can earn in physiotherapy. It is a research-based degree that prepares you for a career in academia or research.

In addition to completing a degree program, you will need practical experience through internships or volunteer work. This allows you to work with patients and learn to apply your skills in the real world.

The specific requirements for certification and licensing vary from state to state, but you will typically need to pass a national exam and meet certain education and experience criteria.

The Importance of Gaining Practical Experience

Practical experience is an essential part of becoming a physiotherapist. Internships and volunteer work allow you to work with patients and learn how to apply your skills in a real-world setting. It also develops your clinical skills and confidence so you can network with other physiotherapists.

The Importance of Certification and Licensing

Certification and licensing are essential for practising physiotherapy. Certification shows that you have met the minimum education and experience requirements to practice physiotherapy, and licensing allows you to legally practice physiotherapy in a particular state.

What Does a Physiotherapist Do?

Physiotherapists are crucial to the healthcare team. They work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to patients. Here are a few roles, responsibilities and duties of a physiotherapist

Roles and Responsibilities: 

1. Assessment: Physiotherapists assess patients’ physical condition by conducting a physical exam, reviewing their medical history, and asking them questions about their symptoms. They use this information to identify areas of dysfunction and develop a treatment plan.
2. Treatment: Physiotherapists use a variety of treatment techniques to improve patients’ mobility, strength, and range of motion. These techniques include massage, stretching, manipulation, exercise, and education.
3. Education: Physiotherapists educate patients on managing their condition and preventing further injury. They teach patients about proper body mechanics, exercises, and lifestyle modifications.

Importance in Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: 

• Physiotherapists can help to prevent injuries by providing exercise programs and teaching proper body mechanics.
• They can also help to rehabilitate patients who have been injured by providing therapy and teaching them how to manage their condition.

Specialisations of A Physiotherapist

There are many different specializations within physiotherapy, but these three are the most common:

Pediatric Physiotherapy

Pediatric physiotherapists work with children of all ages, from infants to adolescents, to help them improve their mobility, strength, and range of motion. They use a variety of techniques, such as massage, stretching, and exercise, to help children reach their full potential.

Neurological Physiotherapy

Neurological physiotherapists work with people who have neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis. They help these patients improve their balance, coordination, and mobility. They also teach patients how to manage their condition and prevent further injury.

Orthopaedic Physiotherapy

Orthopaedic physiotherapists work with people who have musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain, neck pain, or joint pain. They help these patients improve their range of motion, strength, and pain management. They also teach patients exercises and stretches that they can do at home to help them recover.

In addition to these three main specializations, there are many other areas of specialization within physiotherapy, such as sports physiotherapy, cardiac physiotherapy, and women’s health physiotherapy.

Community Physiotherapy 

Community physiotherapists work with geriatric health and women’s health. They help patients improve their quality of life and strength. They reach out to the people in the community and provide physiotherapy treatment for various ailments. They also teach patients exercises and stretches that they can do at home to help them recover.

In addition to these four main specializations, there are many other areas of specialization within physiotherapy, such as sports physiotherapy, cardiac physiotherapy, and women’s health physiotherapy.

Average Salary of a Physiotherapist

The salary range for physiotherapists can vary depending on their experience, expertise, education, location, and specialization.

The salary of physiotherapists is different in different countries but in India, the starting salary of a physiotherapist can be anywhere between 25,000 – 50,000 monthly.

Skills Of A Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists need to be able to communicate, empathize, problem-solve, be physically fit, and have good manual dexterity. They also need to be patient, compassionate, and dedicated to their patients.

Key skills required by a physiotherapist:

1. Communication
2. Empathy
3. Problem-solving
4. Physical fitness
5. Manual dexterity.

Other qualities required by physiotherapists are:

1. Patience
2. Compassion
3. Dedication

Places of employment for a Physiotherapist

There are many different places where physiotherapists can work. Some of the most common places include:

1. Hospitals: Physiotherapists in hospitals work with patients who have a variety of conditions, including injuries, chronic diseases, and neurological disorders. They may work in the inpatient setting, the outpatient setting, or the emergency department.
2. Private practices: Physiotherapists in private practices work with patients who have a variety of conditions, but they typically focus on a particular area of specialization, such as orthopaedics, paediatrics, community physiotherapy, or sports medicine. They may also work with patients who are seeking pain relief or who want to improve their overall fitness.
3. Sports teams: Physiotherapists on sports teams work with athletes to prevent injuries, rehabilitate injuries, and improve performance. They may work with professional teams, college teams, or high school teams.
4. Rehabilitation centres: Physiotherapists in rehabilitation centres work with patients who have suffered a major injury or illness. They help patients regain their mobility and function, and they teach them how to manage their condition and get back to their day-to-day activities.
5. Corporate settings: Physiotherapists in corporate settings work with employees to prevent injuries, improve their posture, and reduce stress. They may also offer wellness programs to employees.

Conclusion:

The field of physiotherapy is constantly evolving, and there are many opportunities for physiotherapists to make a difference in the lives of their patients. If you are passionate about helping people and have a desire to make a positive impact on the world, then become a physiotherapist with SGI SIHS or Suryadatta Institute of Health Sciences- College of Physiotherapist. Our 4-year bachelor’s program along with 6 months of Internship with leading hospitals is the best way to start your career!

Visit the website: https://www.sgisihs.org/ to fill out our form!