How to hire a physical therapist?

Physical Therapists, also known as Physiotherapists, collaborate with medical doctors and treat injured or ill people to improve their mobility, acquire flexibility, and manage physical pain. A physiotherapist collaborates with other healthcare professionals to deliver optimized patient care. From rehabilitating athletes recovering from sports injuries to aiding individuals managing chronic pain or providing post-surgical recovery assistance, their expertise spans diverse patient groups and settings. In the advancing landscape of modern medicine, the role of Physical Therapists has become increasingly essential and indispensable. According to research by the National Institute of Health, over 50 million Americans seek physical therapy services each year, and 90% of physical therapy patients say that the treatment has improved their overall quality of life. 

Why is there a surge in hiring Physical Therapists?

With modern medicine and a shift to value-based care, the healthcare sector in the USA is reforming by focusing on quality of service and patient outcomes. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in achieving these objectives by providing effective interventions that improve the functional well-being of the patients.

One of the main reasons for the increased demand to hire Physical Therapists in the USA is the aging population. WHO reports that 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over by 2030. There is an increased need for rehabilitation services to manage conditions such as arthritis, stroke recovery, and other geriatric concerns due to the aging baby boomer generation.

The predominance of chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in the US population is another explanation for the increasing demand to hire Physiotherapists. Various therapeutic methods along with exercise prescription and lifestyle management are advised by Physiotherapists to manage chronic health conditions and are found to be mostly effective. 

Types of Physical Therapists

Physiotherapists collaborate with physical therapy assistants, educators, social workers, nurses, doctors, and surgeons to treat patients across all age groups, from infants to the elderly. There are 10 specializations of Physiotherapists classified by the American Board of Physical Therapies Specialities based on the domain they work on, such as,

1. Orthopedics
2. Sports
3. Neurology
4. Cardiovascular and pulmonary 
5. Pediatrics
6. Geriatrics
7. Women’s Health 
8. Clinical Electrophysiology
9. Oncology
10. Wound management

Qualifications & skillsets required

To hire Physiotherapists, the following are the educational qualifications and skill sets to be considered.

• To become a Physical Therapist practitioner, you typically need to complete a three-to-four-year post-baccalaureate degree in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or an integrated doctoral program (3+3 physical therapy + degree) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
• While not mandatory, certain states require Physiotherapists to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). By successfully passing the NPTE and completing 2000 hours of clinical experience, Physical Therapists can become board-certified.
• Some states mandate Physiotherapists to pass a jurisprudence exam, which tests their understanding of state-specific laws and regulations governing physical therapy practice. 
• Apart from the practical skillsets, a Physiotherapist requires skills such as effective communication, active listening, empathy, and problem-solving.

License & practice guidelines

The licensure of a Physiotherapist is managed by individual state regulatory boards of the state/jurisdiction in which a Physiotherapist works and must be renewed regularly. Getting a license will include submitting an application, providing proof of education and examination scores, and passing a criminal background check. For most states, continuing education is a condition for license renewal. A Physiotherapist’s scope of work and supervision requirements are defined by the Physical Therapy Practice Act in each state. Before you hire a Physiotherapist, ensure that the job description orients with the scope of work established by your state. Even after hiring, the facility must frequently verify that the license of the Physiotherapist hired is up-to-date to avoid any compliance issues.

Job outlook & pay-scale

The physical therapy field is growing in salary and demand, along with the quantity of unfilled job positions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a strong employment outlook for Physical Therapists and says it will grow by 15% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for Physiotherapists in states like California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania is very high, with the highest employment levels for Physical Therapists.

Physiotherapists can work in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and private practices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Physical Therapists is around $99,710 as of May 2023. Here is a quick overview of the job roles and their average annual salary to refer to when hiring a Physical therapist.

(reference: https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/us-physiotherapist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,18.htm)

• Physical Therapist – $85,447 per year 
• Pediatric Physical Therapist – $97,367 per year
• Home Care Physical Therapist – $95,657 per year
• Staff Physical Therapist – $90,122 per year
• Outpatient Physical Therapist – $86,067 per year
• Registered Physical Therapist – $86,000 per year

Checklist to hire Physical Therapist

Here is a quick checklist to refer to when hiring a physical therapist for your facility.

• Confirm that the candidate has a DAPT degree from an accredited institution.
• Check if they are licensed to practice in the state where your facility is located. 
• If licensed in another state, check for reciprocity and endorsement as applicable.
• Check whether the candidate has passed the jurisprudence exam, if applicable, in your state.
• Look for additional certifications or specialized training such as sports therapy, geriatric care, or pediatric care relevant to your facility’s needs.
• Assess the candidate’s experience in the field.
• Evaluate their proficiency in using various physiotherapy techniques and equipment.
• Look for good communication skills, as it is essential to effectively communicate with patients, and their families, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
• Ensure the candidate has a clean disciplinary record with no history of malpractice.

Challenges while hiring Physiotherapists

• Lack of Physiotherapists with specialized skills and expertise in the domain
• Differing state licensing requirements
• Varying scope of practice restrictions based on the state
• Compliance issues when regular renewal of the license is missed
• Challenging work conditions leading to staff burnout
• The gap between patient demand and the availability of skilled professionals

How MedSquirrels is a solution to hiring Physical Therapists?

It is evident that the main challenge is the shortage of physiotherapists with specialized skills and knowledge in their domain. Plus, there are a lot of facilties competing for the same top talent, which will lead you to pay more to hire them. Due to this, your facility may have to go over the budget allotted to hire physical therapists or may not be able to hire them at all. These challenges can be alleviated if you associate with an experienced hiring platform like MedSquirrels. By delegating your hiring requirements to MedSquirrels, you can navigate the whole recruitment process seamlessly. With our flat fee model, you can attract the best physical therapists and pay them top dollars while staying under the budget. From initial recruitment efforts to credentialing, compliance verification, and onboarding, the MedSquirrels platform simplifies each step of the recruitment process. To learn more about how MedSquirrels can manage your hiring needs, request a demo today.