The Diagnosis for a Career in Physical Therapy
Physical therapists hold a strong position of 11th in the best healthcare jobs, according to U.S. News. You may already be enjoying your career in physical therapy, or considering starting out. But what about the future?
Research from Commonwealth Fund shows that, because of the pandemic, an estimated 14.6 million Americans have lost employer-provided health insurance. Will affordability issues damage the outlook for physical therapists? We believe not. Here’s why.
Job Growth
The demand on healthcare is increasing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the healthcare sector holds the most jobs, by far. Job growth is expected to increase by 18% from 2019 to 2029 – that’s way faster than the average.
The biggest factors increasing demand for healthcare professionals and services include:
- An aging American population requiring increased treatment
- Baby boomers reaching retirement
- Remote workers’ poor home set-ups increasing musculoskeletal problems – 81% reported experiencing back, neck, and shoulder pain
The demand for physical therapist skills is paying well, with an average annual salary of $89,440.
Access to Better Insurance Plans
Healthcare facilities with 50 or more employees must provide basic health insurance coverage, providing physical therapists with better insurance plans.
Advanced Specialties in Prevention and Wellness
The ACA is set to pump accelerated support efforts and investment into prevention and wellness programs. If your specialty as physical therapist is in this field, you’ll likely be compensated well. Having a field of expertise will increase your value to employers when applying for physical therapist jobs.
Increased Assistance to Doctors
As focus falls on improving diagnoses and treatments for health issues, the assistance of physical therapists to provide their advice to doctors and healthcare providers is likely to rise.
Critical decision-making will be a skill that is exercised frequently, and even more so in the future, for physical therapists. They will be required to make more contributions toward evaluating patients’ needs and creating treatment plans.
Providing Expert Advice on Panels
Quality of care will also be in the spotlight. Assessments and quality measures will be implemented more heavily. Physical therapists could be called upon to participate on advisory groups and technical expert panels.
Influx of Patients Through Telehealth
Telehealth has been a welcome resource during the pandemic. When America’s hospitals were sent into turmoil as they struggled to cope with mass coronavirus casualties, patients gained access to healthcare virtually. And the convenience of it means telehealth is here to stay.
The result is that physical therapists – like all healthcare professionals – will see an influx of patients who find it easier to reach out for the healthcare services they need.
Improved Work/Life Balance Through Telehealth
Many physical therapists are enjoying the incredible benefits of a healthy work/life balance that comes from working telehealth physical therapist jobs. These benefits include:
- Less exposure to illness and infections
- Reduced (or eliminated) commute
- Ability to manage your own workload
- Ability to control your own earnings
- Increased control over the shifts you work
Partnering with a specialist staffing agency like LoyalSource will increase your ability to discover telehealth opportunities that suit your needs, including varying contracts from temporary, to contract-to-hire, to permanent.
Treatment Plan Your Physical Therapists Career
The future is clearly strong for physical therapists. Your skills are in demand, and you’re compensated well. You have access to better insurance plans, and your expert advice and specialties are being called upon by healthcare professionals and panels. Patients are finding it easier and more convenient to meet with you, improving clinical outcomes, as well as your work/life balance. Job satisfaction and career progression are strong for physical therapists.
To accelerate your career in physical therapy, contact LoyalSource. We are the specialist staffing agency that will ensure you discover the best opportunities that suit you in physical therapist jobs. Get in touch today.