DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

1. Provide educational information about physical

therapy and physical therapists, injury prevention,
ergonomics and ways to promote health.
2. Refer clients to community resources and services.
3. Plan, prepare and carry out individually designed programs
of physical treatment to maintain, improve or restore
physical functioning, alleviate pain and prevent physical
dysfunction in patients.
4. Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating the data
to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to
intervention.
 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

5.Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages

and adjust treatments to achieve maximum
benefit.
6. Administer manual exercises, massage and/or
traction to help relieve pain, increase the
patient's strength, and decrease or prevent
deformity and crippling.
What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages of
Physical Therapy Assistants?

When physical therapists become well-

established or develop large practices, they
may not have enough time to give all of their
patients the necessary attention. They may rely
on physical therapist assistants, or PT
assistants, to help with such tasks as observing
patients, demonstrating assistive devices and
recording progress. Like most jobs, there are
advantages, but also some disadvantages, to
working as a PT assistant.
Disadvantages of Being a Physical Therapist
Ifyou have ever undergone surgery or broken a
bone, you probably got physical therapy during
recovery. Physical therapists work with
patients of all ages to diagnose and treat
injuries or medical issues that prevent people
from performing everyday activities. While
physical therapy can be a rewarding career, it
also poses a variety of challenges. Consider the
disadvantages before you pursue a career in
physical therapy.
 Advanced Education
It takes at least six years to complete the minimum education required to become a physical therapist. People seeking a career in
physical therapy must earn a Master's Degree and then pass a written exam to get licensed as a certified physical therapist. Six
years of college tuition will cost you a lot of money and time. Most students in a physical therapy degree program have to
volunteer at a local hospital or private practice to gain work experience. In addition, most states make continuing education
courses mandatory for licensed physical therapists to continue working in the field.

Physically Demanding
Physical therapists often work with people who are recovering from serious injuries incurred from sports, car accidents or falls.
Most patients have severely limited mobility and may even need to learn how to walk again. You need to be physically strong and
able to stand for long periods of time while working with debilitated patients. Physical therapists also have to move heavy
equipment and be able to support the full weight of their patients as they perform recovery exercises.

Long Hours
Just like any other career in the medical profession, physical therapy calls for long work days. In an interview by the National
Institute of Health, physical therapist Matthew Scherer admits he has to spend many hours away from home and his family due to
the demands of his career. As a physical therapist, you have to be willing to fully commit your time and resources to every patient.
In fact, many physical therapists have to work evenings and weekends to accommodate their patients' schedules.

Emotionally Demanding
Most physical therapists have to work in an environment where people are sick or in pain. The U.S. Department of Labor reports
that hospitals and private practices employed 60 percent of physical therapists in 2008. Providing therapy for people recovering
from strokes, injuries or amputations can be emotionally draining. Physical therapists have to provide emotional support for
patients during treatment exercises that can be both painful and difficult to perform.
 BS in Physical Therapy in the
Philippines
Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT) is a five year degree program that teaches
students the knowledge and skills in the rehabilitation and treatment of individuals with
disabilities resulting from injury, illness and aging.

Under the program, students are trained in different methods on how to restore physical
function, such as the use of hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, radiant and superficial heating,
therapeutic ultrasound and therapeutic exercise regimens and techniques, patient education
and training.

The BSPT program not only concentrates on the restoration of physical functioning, but also
with the development, improvement and maintenance of overall health and well-being.
 Subjects and Curriculum

In this five-year course, the first two years are spent in classroom lectures
discussing general education subjects aimed to strengthen intellectual
foundation. The third and fourth years focus on professional courses
considered essential to the practice of Physical Therapy; this is taught to
students through discussion and return demonstrations. The Clinical
Internship Program will come in the fifth and final year. This is a supervised
clinical experience in different affiliate hospitals and centers. As a
requirement for graduation, a student must accomplish a clinical paper.
This is supervised by a research adviser and culminates when the student
faces a panel composed of faculty members and an expert on the field of
physical therapy.
 Thesubjects in the BSPT curriculum are divided into
three main categories:General Education Courses:
Language and Humanities: English, Filipino, Philosophy,
Logic, Literature
Mathematics,Natural Science and Information
Technology: Mathematics, Basic Statistics, Chemistry,
Physics, Computer
Social
Sciences: General Psychology, General
Anthropology/Sociology, Health Economics
Biological Sciences: General Biology, Zoology
Mandated Subjects: Rizal Life Works and Writings,
Philippine History and Constitution
 Core Courses:
Healthcare
Ethics in Physical Therapy
Basic Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology, Gross and Organ
System Anatomy, Kinesiology, Physiology, Neuroanatomy,
Human Development
Medical Foundation: General Medical Conditions, General
Surgical Conditions, Neurology, Psychiatric Foundations for
PT, Pathology
Organization and Administration
Research 1
 Professional Courses:
Physical Therapy Foundations: PT 1 to 4, Therapeutic
Exercises 1 to 3, Orthotics and Prosthetics
Clinical Application:Clinical Education (CBR), Clinical
Education 1 to 2, Seminar 1 to 2
Research 2
Is Physical Therapy a profession?

PhysicalTherapy is a profession. A
graduate of BSPT who passes
the Physical Therapist Licensure
Examination is called a Registered
Physical Therapist.
The responsibilities of a Physical
Therapist include
Meeting patient's needs and providing care by assessing and interpreting
evaluations and test results; determining physical therapy treatment plans in
consultation with physicians or by prescription.
Helping patients accomplish treatment plans and accept therapeutic devices by
administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in
performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory
functional activities, and daily-living activities and in using assistive and supportive
devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
Administering physical therapy treatments by giving massages; initiating traction;
applying physical agents; utilizing hydrotherapy tanks and whirlpool baths, moist packs,
ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines; directing treatments given by
aides, technicians, and assistants.
Evaluating effects of physical therapy treatments and fit of prosthetic and orthotic
devices by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending
adjustments and modifications.
 Completing discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social
workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care
conferences.
Assuring continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing
home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in
home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive
equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
Documenting patient care services by charting in patient and department
records.
Ensuring operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance
requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting
malfunctions; calling for repairs.
What are the admission requirements for the
BS in Physical Therapy program?

Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:
Must be a high school graduate.
Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend Alternative
Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to
qualify for college. However, some universities only offer selected courses for PEPT
passers
High School Scholastic Standing: some schools require a specific high school general
average.
National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT): some schools require a minimum score in
the NSAT.
College entrance exam: must pass the college entrance examination with a specified
rating set by the school.
Physical Therapy Admission Test: must pass a qualifying examination for Physical
Therapy. This is to determine whether an applicant is fir to take BSPT.
Interview: must pass the interview conducted by the college dean/faculty.
What skills, traits and attitude will help you
succeed in this course?

Patient Care Skills the ability to understand and take care of patients from all ages and
walks of life; involves empathy, compassion and the sincere desire to help the sick.
Observation skills ability to demonstrate skills in observation. In particular, a student must
be able to accurately observe a patient and acquire visual, auditory and tactile information.
Clinical efficiency the ability to use medical instruments and supportive devices in the care
of patients.
Scientifically inclined has wide knowledge about science and is able to understand and
connect certain concepts together; very essential because BSPT is a science based program.
Communication skills ability to speak, hear and observe patients and coherently summarize
a patient's condition and management plan, verbally and in writing; ability to communicate
effectively and sensitively with patients, families, employees and other health-care
practitioners
Analytical skills the ability to understand complex medical situations, create connections
among different clinical manifestations and make sensible decisions to implement plan of
care
How difficult is BS in Physical Therapy?

BS in Physical Therapy is one of the hardest medical related programs in the

Philippines. Its curriculum is very comprehensive and filled with a variety of
science subjects which are highly technical and difficult to understand.

Besides Engineering courses, only a few undergraduate courses take five years
to complete, and BS Physical Therapy is one of them. Aside from its 5 year
curriculum, BSPT is a difficult course mainly because it teaches all possible
diseases and injuries that may cause physical disability. To add up to this,
there are numerous Physical Therapy Techniques that a student must
practice, and incorporating these to different medical conditions takes time
to learn.
How long does it take to complete the BSPT
program in the Philippines?

The BSPT program takes five years

to complete. The program may be
completed in less than 4 years in
schools that follow the trimestral
curriculum.
Internship

The fifth year of the BSPT program is spent in different tertiary hospitals
doing clinical internship. The internship program involves assigning students
to different affiliate centers such as tertiary hospitals and physical therapy
clinics that cater to different client populations. The internship program
follows a clinical rotation which means that a student will be assigned in
different affiliate centers in specific timeframes. The program is done under
the guidance of a Registered Physical Therapist employed in the affiliation
center, and a faculty member. The required number of hours is 1,500.
Physical Therapist Licensure Examination

To become a Registered Physical Therapist in the

Philippines, a graduate of BS in Physical Therapy
needs to pass the Physical Therapist Licensure
Examination. The examination is conducted by
the Board of Examiners for Physical Therapists
and Occupational Therapists under the supervision
of the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) (PRC). The exam is conducted twice a year
in the months of February and August.
The following subjects are covered in the
exam:

Anatomy
Kinesiology
Physiology and general medical and surgical conditions
Physical therapy applications
Electrotherapy
Therapeutic exercises
Principles of rehabilitation and hydrotherapy.

In order to pass the examination, a candidate must obtain a weighted average of at

least 75% with no rating below 60% in any subject.
Career Opportunities for BS in Physical
Therapy graduates

Jobs for Registered Physical Therapists (board exam passers)

Physical Therapist Clinician in various settings such as hospitals, outpatient
physical therapy clinic, athletic and sports training facilities, skilled nursing
facilities, hospices, corporate and industrial settings plan, organize, assess and
participate in rehab programs that improve mobility, increase strength, relieve
pain and decrease or prevent deformity of patients that suffer from injury or
disease.
Geriatric Physical Therapist a geriatric physical therapist will work with
patients to help them reduce pain, increase their fitness levels and be as mobile
as possible.
Orthopedic Physical Therapist a physical therapist specializing in orthopedics
treats diagnoses and manages injuries and disorders of an individual's
musculoskeletal system. They could also work with patients as they recover from
orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic PTs tend to work in an outpatient treatment
setting, helping patients with sports injuries, amputation, post-operative joint
pain, arthritis and other conditions.
 Pediatric Physical Therapist help detect health problems in young people from babies to
adolescents; diagnose and treat patients for diseases, disorders and injuries that affect joints,
bones and muscles, help your young patients improve their balance, gross/fine motor skills,
strength and endurance and more.
Neurological Physical Therapist patients who have ALS, a brain injury, cerebral palsy, MS,
Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, a spinal cord injury, brain injury, or other disability/injury
often work with physical therapists in their recovery.
Traveling Physical Therapist works in a variety of PT settings and with different types of
patients while traveling from one place to another.
Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapist focuses on helping individuals who suffer from
cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, such as heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Physical Therapist focuses on helping patients with balance
problems caused by deficits in the inner ear, such as vertigo or dizziness.
Physical Therapist on Womens Health focuses on helping women to relieve pelvic pain,
reduce lymphatic swelling, and control urinary incontinence.
Jobs for Non Board Passers:

Call center agent answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides
customer support, usually to people from other countries
Administrative Staff personnel responsible for the organization and
management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office
secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
Freelancer working online doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as
data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support
etc., which mainly depends on your skills
Career Opportunities Abroad

According to a study conducted by the Philippine Overseas Employment

Administration (POEA), Filipino Physical Therapists are in demand in the
United States.

To practice Physical Therapy in the United States, a Filipino Physical Therapist

must pass the United States National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
(see source). Once you pass this test, you will need to acquire a physical
therapist license in the specific state that you intend to work in.
Salary Levels

A Physical Therapist in the

Philippines with 1 to 4 years of
experience, can expect a salary
of between P7,000 to P13,000
per month
Schools offering Physical Therapy courses in
Calabarzon

A list of universities and colleges offering Physical

Therapy courses in Calabarzon,
Philippines. Whenever possible we provide full
details about the courses in each of the schools,
including tuition fees, admission requirements,
course description and the admission phone number.
 1. University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA in GMA
Private University, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite
Bachelor's 40,000-54,000 per year
2. Laguna Northwestern College
Private College, San Pedro, Laguna
Bachelor's 26,000-30,000 per year
3. University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Molino
Bacoor, Cavite Bachelor's 54,000-60,000 per year
 De La Salle Health Sciences Institute
Institutional University, Dasmarinas City, Cavite
Bachelor's 110,000-130,000 per year

Calayan Educational Foundation

Lucena City, Quezon
Bachelor's 40,000-50,000 per year