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have long days, too. They not only work directly with injured
athletes but also consult with the team’s athletic trainers and
strength and conditioning coaches to develop workout routines
that can prevent injuries. When there is an injury, a team PT has
access to all the best medical tools to speed rehabilitation and
can work with the athlete daily, if necessary.
For the PT working at a
clinic, the realities of the health
care system are a daily concern.
Both amateur athletes and
some minor-league pros rely on
insurance to help pay for their
treatment. Many plans limit how
long treatment can last and how
many visits a patient can have over
a year. To Steigbigel, there’s no
doubt that insurance restrictions
are the worst part of his job.
Steigbigel said that while
PTs as a whole are in demand,
“You may not get your first
choice [of a job] right away.” But
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Be Your
Own Boss
A physical therapist who is not working
full-time for a team might be able to set
up his or her own practice. Setting up a
PT clinic is like opening a small business.
You need to find a good location, research
the market for competing clinics, buy
necessary equipment, and market
yourself to find patients. You also need
to understand how medical insurance
payments work. Going out on your own
this way can be risky, but many PTs relish
the ability to control their schedules and
gain the chance to make more money as
an owner than as an employee.
C
areers
O
ff
T
he
F
ield
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Health Careers in Sports