Physical Therapist Duties

Physical Therapists
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The primary duty of a physical therapist is to restore, maintain and promote optimal physical function. Additional duties and responsibilities of a physical therapist include diagnosing and managing movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities. Along with restoring, maintain and promoting optimal physical function, physical therapists also promote optimal wellness and fitness and optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health. They promote wellness and fitness by prevent the onset of symptoms and progression of impairments, functional limitations and disabilities from disease, disorders, conditions and injuries. (Garner, 2016). Other responsibilities include reviewing patient
history along with performing tests to identify existing or possible problems and then creating plans.
Education and Knowledge To become a physical therapist one will need a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from and accredited university. All 50 states do require physical therapists to be licensed. This also includes passing the National Physical Therapy Examination from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. (Physical Therapist, 2015). Physical therapists can also become board-certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. This requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical work as well as passing an exam.
Skills and Abilities Basic skills important to the physical therapist role are basic skill such as reading comprehension, active listening, writing, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, monitoring and mathematics. Higher level skills required are giving healthcare instructions, operating medical diagnostic equipment, planning healthcare equipment, planning health care treatments and working as a member of a health services team. (Physical Therapist Skills You Need, 2017)
Individual Work Value, Qualities and/or Characteristics Personal important qualities and characteristics that are important to the physical therapist role are compassion, pay attention to detail, dexterity, physical stamina, interpersonal skills, and being resourceful.
(Physical Therapist, 2015) Showing empathy and compassion is very important as the physical therapist will be working with people who are facing challenges with experiencing pain and are needing help of the physical therapist to be well again. Being able to pay attention to detail is a necessity as being able to observe and diagnose is a crucial component to the physical therapist’s role. Dexterity allows the physical therapist to be comfortable when physically helping patients. Being able to physically help patients requires physical stamina as the physical therapist physically works as hard, if not harder, than the patient they are assisting. Interpersonal skills allow the physical therapist to interact with their patients and build relationships. Finally, resourcefulness allows the physical therapist to treat each patient as an individual as each patient comes in with different needs and will require different plans of
treatment.
Sources:
Gardner, K. (2016, April 15). Role of a Physical Therapist. Retrieved August 25, 2017, from http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/RoleofaPT/
Physical Therapist . (2015, December 17). Retrieved August 25, 2017, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-4
Physical Therapist Skills You Need. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2017, from https://www1.cfnc.org/Plan/For_A_Career/Career_Profile/Career_Profile.aspx?id=lZtrgksdDniauceCG784ZgXAP3DPAXXAP3DPAX&screen=3