The physiotherapists assist doctors in rehabilitating and recovering patients from their incapacity state, due to any genetic defect or because of defects that occurred due to any illness or accident. To properly perform their job, they should have complete knowledge of human anatomy and how the nerves, muscles, and bones move.
The physiotherapists around treat well different ailments, so the specialization is important in some of the areas that include,
- Neurology
- Sports physical therapy
- Cardiopulmonary therapy
- Clinical electrophysiologic and a lot more
The work profile of a physiotherapist
A physiotherapist has to be preventing, rehabilitative, and restorative. They have to be qualified enough for performing physical examinations, performing assessments and determining the whole diagnosis process, and selecting the right physical therapy interventions for monitoring treatment effectiveness.
The Physiotherapists make use of different therapeutic intervention technique for treating a patient that includes Ultrasounds, X-rays, and more. The physiotherapist’s work is physically strenuous because it includes supporting and lifting patients.
This profession brings much satisfaction to Physiotherapists as they help relieve patients of pain and assist them in recovering from major physical ailments.
With the change in living conditions, the high-stress levels, and lifestyles, there has also been an increase in ailments and diseases that affect a huge population worldwide. It is peculiar in the world, and this makes the presence of Physiotherapists even more important.
So there is a great scope to make a career in this field, not only for making a good income but also for getting huge respect in the places wherever you go.
Scope of Physiotherapy
The career of Physiotherapy can gain heights to the most interesting and challenging jobs in the health care system. By being a Physiotherapist, one can attain specialization in the field of neurology, geriatrics, cardiorespiratory, and also geriatrics.
One can gain a doctorate and can work well in the research field. There is a wide scope in the field of Physiotherapy in India as well as in other countries.
Educational Qualification for being a physiotherapist in India
The aspiring physiotherapist candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy (BPT) to become an expert physiotherapist.
For pursuing this course, one has to clear their XII class examination with English, chemistry, biology, and physics. You should have at least 50% of marks in all these subjects.
Eligibility to become a physiotherapist in India
If you are willing to know how to be a physiotherapist in India, then you should be aware of few things before pursuing this career. You should be well-versed with the eligibility norms which are prescribed for being a physiotherapist in India. There are some of the important details related to it, please have a look to understand better.
Subjects – You should be a science stream student and must have studied Chemistry, biology, and physics in class XII.
Examination: You have to qualify for at least one exam that includes UPMT, KAIET, JAKBOPEE CET, RUET, JIPMER, GGSIPU CET, CET, NEET, etc. You need to clear the entrance examination that is designed for the candidates that want to be a physiotherapist.
Types of jobs offered in the field of Physiotherapy
The important role of a Physiotherapist is to assist patients to recover from accidents and injuries. For this, the Physiotherapist performs exercise sessions, supervises specialist therapies like aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and more.
They are even involved in statistics collection, writing reports, and communicating with the nurses and doctors daily. The Physiotherapist is required to stay updated with the latest developments and innovations in this profession.
What is the age limit to be a Physiotherapist?
The minimum age limit to be a Physiotherapist in India is 17 years.
Skills required for being a Physiotherapist in India
- The Physiotherapist should be able to build up their goodwill and maintain good communication with carers and relatives and with other healthcare service providers like social workers, district nurses, health visitors, GPs, etc.
- A Physiotherapist should be a team player, patient person, tolerant, and compassionate enough.
- They should possess good communication skills, practical enough, and level-headed.
- They should have attention to detail, the ability to adapt to emotionally and physically demanding work, continuous learning, good coordination, and manual dexterity.
Duration and courses
In India, there is only one course available that can be pursued after class XII. The students who are willing to be Physiotherapists must have passed class XII with the science stream.
The bachelor in Physiotherapy is one course in India that you can easily go for. If you want to be a part of any hospital or clinic, or willing to do individual practice, then you can pursue this course.
In this physiotherapy course, you can learn about anatomy, the human body, the medical condition of the human body, surgery and injuries condition, training and lot more therapy procedures, pathology, pharmacology, rehabilitation, and disability prevention.
One can also go for a master’s degree program for being a Physiotherapist after completing graduation in Physiotherapy.
The courses available in India for becoming a Physiotherapist
- BPT Bachelor in Physiotherapy – It is a full-time course of 4 years and 6 months internship.
- MPT Master in Physiotherapy: It is also a full-time course of two years that can be done after graduation
Admission and eligibility
For admission in a Physiotherapy program, the candidates must have qualified the exam conducted by individual universities and institutions.
Skills required for becoming a Physiotherapist in India
- Patience
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Administrative Skills
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work with a team
- Good subject knowledge
Career
There is a great opportunity to become a physiotherapist. These days many people are facing muscular issues due to their poor lifestyle. Due to a lot of stress and work, people are getting dependent on mechanization. They don’t use the muscle capacity in their daily life and because of this, they are getting prone to various disabilities like lumbago, sciatica, backache, and others.
A physiotherapist can help in recovering from such disorders. They act as a doctor, physical trainer, health counselor, and a sports coach. Soon after the completion of the course, one can go for higher studies like a Ph.D. or M.PT. It is important to have a bachelor’s degree to work with health organizations and hospitals or individual practice.
Specializations to become a physiotherapist
Once you have gained your degree in the field of physiotherapy, you can start working in the following specializations:
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Obstetrics
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedic
- Post Operative
- Cardiovascular Physiotherapy and in many others
Who hires a Physiotherapist?
The Physiotherapists are hired by many of the hospitals and fitness organizations. Some of the top recruiters include,
- Fitness centers
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physiotherapy centers
- Gyms and many more
Why become a Physiotherapist in India?
There are various benefits of being a Physiotherapist in India. Some of the best ones are;
- The Physiotherapist is paid well in India. The starting salary of a Physiotherapist is comparatively higher than other healthcare jobs.
- Due to poor lifestyle and changing health conditions, the need for a Physiotherapist has increased over the period, which will surely increase in the future. Thus, there are more employment opportunities for new therapists.
- It is a job that can be performed anywhere and professionals are not required compulsorily to be associated with any institution or organization.
- You have a huge scope of starting your practice and can also open your clinic as per your terms and conditions.
As a Physiotherapist, you get a chance to interact with a various number of people that belongs to different genre and stream. This can help you in gaining more knowledge in the Physiotherapy field as well as in different fields.
Salary
The initial package of a Physiotherapist depends on the institution from where a candidate has attained his degree and also dependent on the company for which he/she will be working. The starting annual package of a Physiotherapist in India is 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh. Soon after gaining some knowledge, experience, and higher degree, their salary can be increased to 5 lakh, based on the company.
A fresher Physiotherapist can expect around 20000 per month in the beginning. Once you start earning in this field, you get better chances of earning more. It is because as you work, you start gaining the trust of the clients and maintain goodwill in the market, this helps in gaining more clients with word of mouth.
Conclusion
The Physiotherapist works with various patients that include physically disabled kids, pregnant women, athletes, patients that need attention, and many others. For being a successful Physiotherapist in India, you should be aware of how to organize physical exercise sessions, provide massage, and make use of special techniques for a speedy recovery.
A Physiotherapist should be capable enough to manage time, have patience, and good tolerance limit. They should focus on the good health & fitness of their clients and most importantly follow doctor’s guidelines if in case it is prescribed.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
