Why Is Continuing Education Important in Physical Therapy?
Continuing education is important for clinicians in any discipline because it allows us to continuously provide high-quality patient care. CE is typically used to allow clinicians to discover research, techniques, and technology that is either new to the physical therapy field or new to you. Continuing education can also serve as a refresher for basic knowledge which keeps the foundation of our knowledge as physical therapists fresh allowing us to continue to do our jobs safely and effectively. Continuing your education will provide you with the confidence that you are providing your patients with the best care possible with the most resources at your disposal.
What Are The Benefits Of Continuing My Education As A Physical Therapist?
Can Bridge Gaps in Your Formal Education
While there are standards for physical therapy education, it is impossible for every program to be completely identical. Every school and professor will have approached physical therapy education somewhat differently. Continuing education allows you to fill in the gaps in your education while also expanding your knowledge base past what your formal education offered. Physical therapy allows for a broad area of study with the possibility to focus on niche areas of specialty, which is why continuing education is such a great asset for physical therapists.
Help Grow Your Career Through Specialization
Continuing education is important for expanding your general knowledge, but it also serves as a great place to start in developing a specialty. If you are looking to start treating a specialty demographic such as runners or overhead athletes, continuing education courses are a great place to start. They are a gateway to you not only becoming an expert in your field but to being able to address problems that generalists are unable to, which is not only a great career advantage but will make a positive impact on the lives of your patients.
Separate Yourself From The Pack
Whether you’ve been in the field for a while or are a fresh graduate, continuing education hours are a great way to set yourself apart from your peers.
If you’re an established physical therapist and have been in the field for a while, continuing education is a great way for you to stay on top of new research, techniques, and technology. Even if you’re not looking to impress a new potential employer in an interview, taking continuing education courses is a great way to expand your knowledge base for your patients and help you stand out from other physical therapists in your area.
If you’re a recent graduate looking to establish your career, continuing education will be a great asset to you. Without extensive job experience, most physical therapy graduates are going to have similar-looking resumes. Getting a jump start on continuing education courses is going to set you apart from your peers and show potential employers that you have an expanded knowledge base, have initiative, and have a variety of experiences. Continuing education courses that prioritize clinicals are also a great way to boost your confidence with hands-on care.
Increased Networking Opportunities
Continuing education courses are a great way to meet physical therapists at all experience levels! If you are taking in-person CE courses, you will have the opportunity to network with local physical therapists in your area. This is a great opportunity to stay connected to your professional peers and will be beneficial if you are looking for a job. If your CE course is virtual, this gives you the opportunity to network with physical therapists from across the country and exchange ideas with those, not in your immediate network. Additionally, continuing education courses don’t just give you the opportunity to connect with a variety of peers, but it allows you to connect with instructors as well. Connecting with an instructor that focuses on a subject area you’re passionate about is a great way to grow your knowledge and learn beyond the classroom.
Is Physical Therapy Continuing Education Mandatory?
Getting and renewing your physical therapy license is done through your state government, which means that requirements for continuing education hours vary from state to state. In some states, there are no CEU requirements for license renewal, in other states only physical therapists need to complete continuing education hours, while in others both physical therapists and physical therapist assistants need to complete a set amount of hours.
The easiest way to find out what the regulations are for your state is to check in with your state’s Board of Physical Therapy. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) provides a list of complete contact information for every state’s board should you need to access it. Most states have their CEU information listed in an easily accessible location on their website.
How to Include Physical Therapy Continuing Education on Your Resume
A common question after you’ve completed your first continuing education course is if and where should I list this information on my resume. Including your CE on your resume is important as it shows your future employer that you’re on top of your license requirements, have initiative, and have advanced knowledge in your field. You should list this information in its own section under where you list your education. Include the course title, provider, and CEUs. If you’ve taken a lot of courses and find the section to be too long, prioritize this resection to include the most relevant to your field and specialization.
Where Can I Find Continuing Education Courses Near Me?
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of continuing education courses as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant, you’re in luck! At NAIOMT, we offer a growing variety of continuing education courses across the country. In addition to offering courses in sixteen states across the country, we also offer virtual courses!
