Demand for senior living physical therapists is increasing year after year. Seniors are living longer and longer, and with longer life comes increased probability of falls and injuries. Recovery from these injuries nearly always involves physical therapy. Stellar Senior Living is a top senior living property management company and provider of senior care in the western United States. We employ many physical therapists. We believe that quality senior care includes every aspect of life, including physical health, mental health, social connection, and more. Many of our communities hire in-house physical therapists to provide consistently excellent care to our seniors. Read on to learn more about how to become a Stellar senior living physical therapist!
What Do Physical Therapists Do?
Physical therapists (also called PTs or physiotherapists) are healthcare providers who help people improve mobility and physical function and manage pain through exercise, stretching, and other forms of hands-on therapy. Typically, they work with clients or patients who have a chronic health condition, have had an injury, or are experiencing pain and/or lack of function in their muscles or joints for other reasons. Physical therapists can work with people of all ages and ability levels, from very young children to senior citizens.
Physical therapy is important work. Chances are, everyone will need a physical therapist at some point in their life. Physical therapists also provide important education that will help you avoid injuries and improve your quality of life.
Why Choose Senior Living Physical Therapy?
Physical therapists can work in a variety of settings, including senior living communities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, home healthcare providers, sports, and gyms. All of these settings have unique pros and cons. So why choose senior living physical therapy for your career? As we previously mentioned, senior living physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing areas in the industry. You will likely have an easier time finding work in senior living, and you can be assured that the work you are doing truly matters. Helping seniors regain mobility and independence is incredibly important and rewarding work.
When you work with seniors, you won’t only be helping them physically. You’ll help them increase their confidence, happiness, and even their quality of life. At Stellar Living, we work hard to support our physical therapists both personally and professionally. We know how vital you are and how important this work is. If you work at a Stellar senior living community, you’ll get to know and love the residents, and they will get to know and love you too. This positive, family-style atmosphere is a really lovely type of workplace.
How Can I Become a Physical Therapist?
As healthcare providers, physical therapists do need education and specialized training. To become a physical therapist, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree of some kind, usually biology, kinesiology, or exercise science. Then, you need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program from an accredited institution, which usually takes around 3 years. The last part of this program usually includes clinical observation and experience. After you complete your degrees, you’ll need to pass national and state licensure exams. Learn more about requirements to become a physical therapist from the American Physical Therapy Association here.
You don’t need any special training or certification to work in senior care. However, after you are licensed and have at least 2,000 hours of clinical experience, you can become board certified in geriatrics by passing a certification exam. This might make you a more appealing senior living physical therapist candidate and result in higher pay.
What Do Physical Therapist Assistants Do?
Because becoming a physical therapist requires over seven years of education, which can be expensive as well as time-consuming, some people choose to work as Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs). This allows you to practice physical therapy more quickly and more cost-effectively. A PTA does much of the same hands-on work as a physical therapist, including providing therapeutic exercises and education, documenting progress, and implementing treatment plans. However, a PTA needs to work under the direction of a licensed physical therapist, and carry out the treatment plan they develop.
Physical Therapist Assistants are typically paid less than physical therapists, but becoming a PTA is also easier and more cost-effective. You will need to earn an associate degree from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant program, which typically takes two years. You will still need to pass state and national licensure exams to work in your chosen state. But becoming a PTA allows you to begin working after just two years of study, instead of seven or more. Because PTAs are less expensive for employers, it may be even easier to find a job as well.
What Skills Do I Need to Become a Senior Living PT or PTA?
Whether you work as a senior living physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant, there are some important skills you’ll need to be successful. It’s important to be able to communicate well, because you will need to explain exercises and stretches to your clients that they will practice on their own. You’ll also need to document everything you do and your clients’ progress at every session. Patience and empathy are also skills that will serve you well. And, you’ll need to be able to work as part of a team. You’ll usually work with other PTs or PTAs, nurses, and doctors, and meet together on a regular basis.
Becoming a Stellar Senior Living Physical Therapist
Stellar Living Communities are great places to work. Stellar is rated highly as an employer on Indeed and LinkedIn. Most PTs and PTAs enjoy working at Stellar because it is a good work environment with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, paid time off, and retirement options. Stellar communities try to provide a workload that is interesting and challenging without being overwhelming or stressful. You’ll also have opportunities for growth into leadership roles. And once you meet our incredible senior living residents, you’ll fall in love with them the same way we have!
If you want to work as a senior living physical therapist or physical therapist assistant at a Stellar Senior Living Community, apply today! Many communities have entry-level positions available right now, even if you don’t have a lot of experience. Explore physical therapist job openings at Stellar Senior Living and start your new career today.
