Physical Therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS All Essential Functions should be able to be completed in highly complex and distracting environments and within time frames consistent with current clinical practice. Cognitive Functions (Knowledge) Comprehend, retain, recall and apply complex information learned in required prerequisite courses to the program’s professional course work. Read, comprehend, integrate, critically analyze, interpret and apply information from written materials, demonstrations, lectures, laboratory sessions and research literature and other pertinent sources to develop and support the rationale for appropriate patient examinations, evaluations, assessments, interventions, discharges and or referrals. Collect, organize, prioritize and document information to make safe, appropriate and timely decisions regarding patient care for the purposes of examination, evaluation, assessment, intervention, discharge and or referral for any patient. Demonstrate management skills including planning, organizing, supervising and delegating. Communication Functions (Professional Behaviors) Interact effectively and sensitively using appropriate verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills with faculty, peers, other members of the health care team, patients/clients and caregivers. Read, write and interpret written and nonverbal communication at a competency level that allows one to safely function in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings. Recognize the impact and influence of age, lifestyle, family or peer support, socioeconomic class, culture, beliefs, race and abilities on faculty, peers, other members of the health care team and patients/clients and caregivers. Recognize the psychosocial impact of movement dysfunction and disability on the client and caregivers and integrate these needs into patient examinations, evaluations, assessments, interventions, discharges and or referrals. Efficiently organize and prioritize multiple tasks, integrate and critically analyze information and formulate applicable decisions. Practice in a safe, ethical, and legal manner, following guidelines for standard practice as established by federal, state and local law, the College, clinical facilities, the APTA and related professional organizations. Accept personal responsibility for all actions, reactions and inactions. Demonstrate responsibility for self-assessment, professional growth and development. Effectively and consistently manage personal stress and appropriately respond to the stress of others. Speak and write effectively in English to convey information to other individuals and groups. Psychomotor Functions (Skill) Possess sufficient mental and physical stamina, postural and neuromuscular control and eye-hand coordination for extended periods of time in order to perform patient care tasks in a manner that does not compromise patient or therapist safety. Safely, reliably, and efficiently perform required physical therapy examination and intervention procedures to evaluate and treat the functional skills & limitations and gross motor system of patients across the lifespan. These include but are not limited to: Cognitive, mental, emotional status Cardiopulmonary status Segmental length, girth, volume Skin integrity & wound care Sensation Strength Joint mobility, motion and play Muscle tone and reflexes Coordination & balance Development skills & movement patterns Functional abilities Pposture & gait Endurance Pain Therapeutic exercises Prosthetics & orthotics Adaptive devices & assistive technology Demonstrate the ability to perform CPR and emergency first aid. Safely and reliably read meters, dials, printouts, and goniometers. Demonstrate the ability to manipulate and operate physical therapy equipment and monitoring devices. React safely and appropriately in a timely manner to sudden or unexpected situations involving persons and or equipment PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Communicate and converse, maintain a stationary position (standing and sitting), move/traverse, kneel and bend. Use fingers and hands, handle, feel and reach with hands and arms for extended periods of time. Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop; kneel, crouch, taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust and focus. Light to moderate lifting is required. Ability to uphold the stress of traveling.
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Career Level
Entry Level