Physical Therapists provide educational information about physical therapy and physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, and ways to promote health. They refer clients to community resources and services. They plan, prepare, and carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, and prevent physical dysfunction in patients. They perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention. They evaluate the effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. They administer manual exercises, massage, and/or traction to help relieve pain, increase the patient's strength, and decrease or prevent deformity and crippling. They instruct the patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home. They confer with the patient, medical practitioners, and appropriate others to plan, implement, and assess the intervention program. They review physician's referrals and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required. They record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in the patient's chart or enter information into a computer. They obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions. They discharge patients from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals. They test and measure patients' strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency and record data. They identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation. They provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives. They inform the patient when a diagnosis reveals findings outside their scope and refer to an appropriate practitioner. They direct and supervise supportive personnel, assessing their competence, delegating specific tasks to them, and establishing channels of communication. They administer treatment involving the application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines. They teach physical therapy students as well as those in other health professions. They evaluate, fit, and adjust prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommend modifications to orthotists. They conduct and support research and apply research findings to practice. They participate in community and community agency activities and help to formulate public policy. They construct, maintain, and repair medical supportive devices. They direct group rehabilitation activities.
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Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level