Future of Work: Physical Therapy Industry

Looking for a career path with a good outlook, stable pay, and accessible opportunities, all while bringing purpose in your life? You should consider a job in the field of physical therapy!

Outlook and Opportunity

The career outlook for physical therapists and occupational therapists is bright. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for physical therapists is projected to grow by 21% before 2030, which is much faster than the 8% average growth rate across all U.S. occupations.

The demand for physical therapy is growing for many reasons, but here are two of the most important factors:

1. Sedentary Lifestyles: With the growth of office jobs comes a rapid increase of people working at a desk for eight hours per day, whether that’s at home or in the office. As of 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated there were nearly 64 million office workers in the U.S., and it is estimated that 36.2 million Americans will work remotely by 2025.

Office workers are known to be less active than their worksite counterparts, are more prone to slips, trips, and falls; and can be just as prone to overuse injuries related to the repetitive nature of their work. The best and most economical way to prevent or recover from these injuries can be physical therapy. Increasingly, worker healthcare plans are recognizing the efficiency of using physical therapy as a way to keep the workforce working.

2. Aging Populations: Baby boomers, the second largest generation, are getting older, and many are looking to prolong their independence and quality of life. Physical therapy is key to achieving these objectives, as it empowers individuals to maintain mobility and prevent injury. 

Physical therapy jobs are also continually available due to the nationwide expansion of the field. In fact, the unemployment rate for physical therapists is a mere 0.2%. 

More clinics and other facilities are opening all across America, thus inviting more employees. CORA Physical Therapy currently has more than 400 positions open at clinics across 11 states. 

Professional Advantages

One thing that sets physical therapy apart from other medical tracks is the favorable education requirements. 

Completion of a DPT program is required, which typically involves seven years of schooling. While a medical doctor may need 11-15 years of post-secondary education, the physical therapy track is much more efficient for starting your career. 

This means less time spent in the classroom, typically accruing less student debt.

Job Satisfaction

A career in physical therapy is one with a promising need and measurable benefits – but it also provides the intangible aspect of job satisfaction. By becoming a physical therapist, you’re changing lives for the better, prolonging independence, relieving pain, reaching goals, and improve the quality of life for others. 

As cited by many professionals in the field, physical therapy is an extremely gratifying and fulfilling career. 

“I became a physical therapist because of the quality of life impact I can have on my patients,” said Caitlin Whitely, PT, DPT and CORA South County clinic manager. “I love when my patient does something for the first time in years, returning to their favorite hobby feeling healthy and pain-free. This is why I come to work every day, and I’m glad to have that alignment of support from everyone at CORA.”

According to U.S. News and World Report, a physical therapist is the 10th best healthcare job available, based on a confluence of factors like unemployment rates, median salary and stress level. 

Why CORA is a Great Place to Work for Current and Future Physical Therapists

So, you’re a fresh out of PT school or currently working in physical therapy. What are you waiting for? Join the CORA team! 

CORA stands alone in the field of physical therapy, with state-of-the-art technology, rapid expansion and career growth, and hundreds of locations. With new locations opening every month, we have a constant need for more people like you.

Multiple locations: a Multitude of Opportunities

Wherever you are studying, working, or living, there is a CORA clinic in reach. CORA operates more than 250 locations and in multiple states: Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. 

Whether you prefer the southeast or midwest, a job at CORA is possible in your community.

A focus for every professional

You can pursue your interests in physical therapy at CORA. At CORA, a full range of treatments is available. Our services include outpatient physical therapy and general rehabilitation, rehabilitation for seniors, worker’s compensation therapy, and sports and auto injury rehabilitation. There’s a place for you at CORA, wherever your passions in PT may lie. 

Staff treatment and experience

At CORA, not only are our patients cared for, but the entire CORA community, including our staff. Educational opportunities, such as advanced degrees and certifications, are often funded for our exceptional clinicians. 

Additionally, CORA is consistent in the integrity of their facilities, services, and team members. 

For referrals, CORA uses the quick, practical, and effective “Rapid Referral” program. Rapid Referral allows for patient evaluations to be completed within 48-hours, efficiently entering admissions and forwarding authorizations. In short, it takes away administrative work and keeps you with patients longer. 

CORA’s eNotes, a digital EMR platform, allows for patient information to be accessed securely and in real-time. Every process within eNotes, whether you are referring a patient or signing evaluations, is simple, fast, and HIPAA-approved. 

CORA doesn’t just deliver top-of-the-line treatment for patients, but a phenomenal working experience for every employee, one that you truly can’t find anywhere else. There’s no better place to pursue your career as a physical therapist than at CORA Physical Therapy.