Physical Therapy Job Description

In this article we will talk about the Physical therapy job description. The physical therapy profession is expected to increase by 27% through the year 2016. There is an extremely high demand for physical therapist and physical therapy assistants with very little unemployment for qualified therapists. The field has an extremely positive career Outlook.

The scope of work the physical therapy profession does consists of diagnostics of ailments, testing the extent of the problem, designing a plan for treatment, executing the treatment plan, coaching patients on exercise as part of the treatment, teaching patients how they use medical assistive devices, patient evaluations, patient referrals to other professions. Physical therapy professionals assist patients with debilitating conditions such as back pain, arthritis, fractures, sports injuries, head injuries, strokes, and cerebral palsy. They provide therapeutic services to improve a patient’s mobility, alleviate pain, and help them cope with permanent physical disabilities. They may use therapeutic equipment and techniques such as massage to improve muscle strength, whirlpool baths, ultrasonic machines, and ultraviolet and infrared lamps. They teach patients how to do exercises to improve their physical health.

The specialized education and knowledge required to be a physical therapist includes a Masters or doctorate in physical therapy which encompasses biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, kineiology, neuroscience, pathology, orthopedics, radiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic exercise. A degree in physical therapy will more than likely involve supervised clinicals.

Physical therapy has many specialties such as cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. Physical therapy professionals typically work in various settings which include hospitals, clinics, private homes, pediatric settings, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, long-term acute care centers, rehabilitation centers, and sports teams.

Basically, a daily job description would look something like this:

· Get acquainted with the patients’ medical history

· Find out the level of assistance the patient requires by testing their range of motion, flexibility, muscle performance, motor function and etc

· Determine if the patient can regain their position in society and their ability to be independent in the future

· Create a treatment plan that entrails the treatment strategy to be used, the purpose of such a treatment, and what the expected outcome should be