Physical Therapist Job Description
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who provides rehabilitative care to those with physical impairments or disabilities. Their tasks involve assessing patient needs, designing and implementing treatment programs, providing therapeutic exercise and manual therapy, providing education and advice to patients, and evaluating and documenting progress.
Physical Therapist Job Description Example
The Wilmington Rehab Center is seeking an experienced and qualified physical therapist to join its team of professionals. This role is responsible for providing high-quality physical therapy services for a variety of patients.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver physical therapy treatment plans
- Monitor patients’ progress in order to modify treatment plans as needed
- Document patient information in order to track progress
- Educate patients on proper physical therapy techniques
- Provide therapeutic exercises and stretching techniques
- Establish and maintain patient relationships
- Perform regular assessments and evaluations
Work Hours and Benefits:
This position offers full-time hours with flexible scheduling and a competitive salary, as well as benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, vacation and personal days, and other perks.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in physical therapy, or related field
- Current license in physical therapy from the applicable state
- At least 1 year of experience in physical therapy
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of patients and colleagues
Training and Education:
The successful candidate should have the ability to stay up-to-date on physical therapy techniques and trends, and will be required to participate in continuing education programs as needed.
If you are an experienced physical therapist who is looking for a rewarding and challenging opportunity, we invite you to apply for the position. Please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration.
What to Include on a Physical Therapist Resume or Job Posting
Common physical therapist responsibilities
- Developing individualized treatment plans for patients based on their specific needs and goals.
- Performing physical assessments to evaluate the patient’s condition and determine the best course of treatment.
- Educating patients and their families on proper exercise techniques and safety measures.
- Administering manual therapy techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization.
- Utilizing therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and hot/cold packs.
- Monitoring patient progress and making necessary adjustments to treatment plans.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible care for the patient.
- Documenting patient progress and maintaining accurate medical records.
- Staying up-to-date on the latest physical therapy techniques and treatments.
- Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for patients.
Qualities & traits
- Compassion: Physical therapists must be compassionate and understanding of their patients’ needs and feelings.
- Patience: Physical therapists must be patient and willing to work with patients over a long period of time in order to achieve the desired outcome.
- Communication: Physical therapists must be able to effectively communicate with their patients and other healthcare professionals.
- Knowledge: Physical therapists must have a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology in order to properly assess and treat their patients.
- Problem-Solving: Physical therapists must be able to think critically and creatively in order to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
- Motivation: Physical therapists must be able to motivate their patients to stay on track with their treatment plans and to work hard to achieve their goals.
- Physical Strength: Physical therapists must be physically strong enough to support and move their patients during treatment.
What a typical day looks like for a physical therapist
A physical therapist's day can involve evaluating and diagnosing a patient's condition and developing a plan of care to improve movement, reduce pain, and prevent disability. They work to restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. They assess patients' strength, range of motion, functional abilities, and pain levels, teach exercises to increase strength, coordination, and balance, and provide manual therapy to assist with mobility issues. They will also advise patients on how to use exercise and lifestyle modifications to increase functionality and reduce pain. Additionally, they provide education and advice to patients on proper posture, ergonomics, and safety precautions.
Compatible jobs and work history
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people with mobility issues and injury recovery. Though traditional physical therapist jobs require experience in this field, there are a variety of related roles and industries that can provide applicable skills and knowledge for the job. These include sports medicine, massage therapy, personal training, teaching and coaching, and many more. Here are some compatible job titles for potential physical therapists outside of traditional physical therapy experience:
- Athletic Trainer
- Exercise Physiologist
- Rehabilitation Technician
- Occupational Therapist
- Massage Therapist
- Personal Trainer
- Physical Education Teacher
- Kinesiologist
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Yoga Instructor
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