PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

CAREER DETAILS

Salary: $58,000 – $136,000

Education: Doctorate

Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.

Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.

Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient’s chart or enter information into computer.

Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

*This list of tasks does not encompass all tasks that may be applicable to this job.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

*This list of skills does not encompass all tasks that may be applicable to this job.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

*This list of knowledge does not encompass all knowledge that may be applicable to this job.

SALARY CALCULATOR

See how this career’s salary aligns with your lifestyle.

O*NET ONLINE

Learn more about this career and more below.