Job Talk: with a physical therapist
Job Talk: with a physical therapist
Name/age: Aart Schulenklopper, 40
Occupation: Physical therapist
Employer: Owner, Greensboro Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Services
Years in field: 15
Salary range: According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the median salary for a physical therapist is $75,000 depending on the position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location and practice setting.
What does your job entail?
My job is to diagnose and treat individuals who have orthopedic medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move, perform functional activities in their daily lives or in sports. I examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. In addition, I work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.
How did you become involved in this line of work?
I had always had an interest in medicine, physiology and athletics, and originally went to college thinking I was going to medical school to become a medical doctor. However, after doing some volunteer hours at a hospital in their outpatient physical therapy department I decided that physical therapy was what I wanted to do. It was much more dynamic.
What training or education is required?
While some universities offer a master’s degree, the majority of programs offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Currently, 199 colleges and universities nationwide offer professional physical therapist education programs; 85.7 percent offer the DPT, and the remaining programs are planning to convert. After graduation, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. Other requirements for physical therapy practice vary from state to state according to physical therapy practice acts or state regulations governing physical therapy.
What does it take to do your job successfully?
You definitely need to have communication skills, knowledge of current medical research and be a good problem-solver.
What’s most challenging about your job?
Probably the ability to manage your time wisely to not only treat your patients but to also complete the patients’ required medical documentation.
What is most rewarding?
Each patient is an individual and has different functional goals that they would like to achieve, whether it is pain-free walking, returning to work or playing soccer again. When you help that patient return to an activity that is meaningful to them, it is very rewarding.
Any advice for someone interested?
Work hard in school, do some volunteer work at a local hospital or outpatient facility, and check out the American Physical Therapy Association Web site (www.apta.org) for more information on the profession and colleges that offer programs.
Every two weeks, Job Talk highlights a different job in the Triad area from those who actually do them. Interested in participating or have a suggestion for a job you’d like us to feature? Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or patrick.collins@news-record.com.
Job Talk: Aart Schulenklopper
Aart Schulenklopper, D.P.T., C.S.C.S. is a doctor of physical therapy, licensed physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist with Greensboro Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Services in Greensboro. Here he checks range of motion after having anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) replacement surgery.
Nancy Sidelinger Special Sections Photographer
