Outpatient Physical Therapists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of outpatient physical therapists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for outpatient physical therapists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of outpatient physical therapists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for outpatient physical therapists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Outpatient Physical Therapists?
Do outpatient physical therapists need a degree? What kind of experience do outpatient physical therapists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for outpatient physical therapists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Outpatient Physical Therapists
Jobs Postings for Outpatient Physical Therapists By Education
- No Education Listed: 45,944 (77%)
- High School or GED: 8,868 (15%)
- Bachelor's degree: 2,746 (5%)
- Master's degree: 1,019 (2%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 946 (2%)
No education was listed by most employers of outpatient physical therapists. According to job data, no education was required for 77% of positions. In 15% of job listings a High School diploma or GED was required and in 5% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Outpatient Physical Therapists
Jobs Postings for Outpatient Physical Therapists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 10,686 (65%)
- 2-3 Years: 5,347 (32%)
- 4-6 Years: 334 (2%)
- 7-9 Years: 15 (0%)
- 10+ Years: 97 (1%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for outpatient physical therapists. In 65% of job postings for Outpatient Physical Therapists, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 32% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 2% of job postings for outpatient physical therapists.
What Kind of Degree Do Outpatient Physical Therapists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for outpatient physical therapists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 3 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective outpatient physical therapists, and in 2023 a total of 13,825 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective outpatient physical therapists.
Top Degree Programs for Outpatient Physical Therapists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Outpatient Physical Therapists (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy Assistant. | 5,882 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other. | 4,121 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other. | 3,822 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Certificates & Microcredentials for Outpatient Physical Therapists
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 3-4 months
- Cost: $4,000
What Skills Do Outpatient Physical Therapists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by outpatient physical therapists to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for outpatient physical therapists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Outpatient Physical Therapists
Based on 74,256 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Outpatient Physical Therapists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapy | 56,898 | 77% |
| Rehabilitation | 21,547 | 29% |
| Treatment Planning | 16,053 | 22% |
| Home Health Care | 9,941 | 13% |
| Patient Treatment | 9,400 | 13% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Outpatient Physical Therapists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 17,481 | 24% |
| Customer Service | 8,564 | 12% |
| Scheduling | 6,651 | 9% |
| Writing | 5,747 | 8% |
| Multitasking | 5,413 | 7% |
Based on 74,256 job postings related to outpatient physical therapists, physical therapy was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 77% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for rehabilitation, treatment planning, home health care, patient treatment and billing were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for outpatient physical therapists, followed by customer service, scheduling, writing, multitasking and interpersonal communications.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapy | 56,898 | 77% |
| Rehabilitation | 21,547 | 29% |
| Treatment Planning | 16,053 | 22% |
| Home Health Care | 9,941 | 13% |
| Patient Treatment | 9,400 | 13% |
| Billing | 5,828 | 8% |
| Exercise Therapy | 5,616 | 8% |
| Infection Control | 5,388 | 7% |
| Patient Assistance | 5,109 | 7% |
| Medical Records | 4,939 | 7% |
| Orthopedics | 4,627 | 6% |
| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | 4,224 | 6% |
| Geriatrics | 4,109 | 6% |
| Patient Education And Counseling | 4,080 | 5% |
| Case Management | 3,589 | 5% |
| Manual Therapy | 3,248 | 4% |
| Nursing | 3,169 | 4% |
| Patient Preparation | 3,023 | 4% |
| Quality Improvement | 2,924 | 4% |
| Clinical Documentation | 2,725 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 17,481 | 24% |
| Customer Service | 8,564 | 12% |
| Scheduling | 6,651 | 9% |
| Writing | 5,747 | 8% |
| Multitasking | 5,413 | 7% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 5,375 | 7% |
| Detail Oriented | 5,172 | 7% |
| English Language | 5,036 | 7% |
| Computer Literacy | 4,824 | 6% |
| Organizational Skills | 4,527 | 6% |
| Compassion | 3,990 | 5% |
| Coordinating | 3,682 | 5% |
| Planning | 3,647 | 5% |
| Management | 3,331 | 4% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 3,218 | 4% |
| Professionalism | 3,144 | 4% |
| Mentorship | 3,142 | 4% |
| Lifting Ability | 2,844 | 4% |
| Operations | 2,842 | 4% |
| Problem Solving | 2,552 | 3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about outpatient physical therapists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for outpatient physical therapists.
What do outpatient physical therapists do?
How much do outpatient physical therapists make?
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