U.S. News and World Report added physical therapy to the 2009 best careers list based on five criteria:

1. Job outlook
2. Average job satisfaction
3. Difficulty of the required training
4. Prestige
5. Pay

As jobs such as investment bankers and editors dropped off the 2009 list, health care careers remained strong, comprising one-third of all careers listed.

Physical therapists restore, maintain and promote overall fitness and health

Physical therapists are valuable members of a health care team and provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to increase much faster than average and job opportunities should be good, particularly in hospital, rehabilitation and orthopedic settings. A March 2009 Washington Post article emphasized that careers in health care, specifically physical therapy, continue to grow despite the country’s employment crisis.

Hear from a physical therapist in Iowa

A few weeks ago we had the chance to speak with a physical therapist at Cass County Memorial Hospital about how he got started and the most rewarding part of his job.

Take a look to see what it’s like working as a physical therapist in an Iowa hospital.