Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility - in many cases without expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects. Physical therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits.

PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluation:  Performs patient evaluations.  Assesses, physical performance of patient to determine an extent of therapy needed, a method of therapy, etc. Interprets the progress of patient
• Treatment Planning: Plans the method of treatment for patients.  Modifies plan as needed. Develops a Plan of Care outlining the area of deficit, target activity, context, assistance needed, functional, realistic, and measurable goal(s), and/or status ongoing goal(s).
• Physical Therapy:  Provides patients with physical therapy. Recommends and provides treatment based on medical, clinical, functional, and observational findings. Provide therapeutic interventions designed to meet the patient's long-term goals, including posture training; strengthening, balance, and coordination exercises; endurance/cardiac training; joint mobility and muscle lengthening; pain relief; and functional skills and community re-entry training
• Report Preparation: Prepares various reports as needed to document progress, etc.
• Training: Trains or assists in the training of students, new physical therapists, interns, etc. as needed
• Record Maintenance: Maintains patient records that include evaluation, treatment plan, therapy was given, progress, etc.

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing - Verbal Ability and Verbal Reasoning
• Analytical ability -Quantitative Aptitude
• Ability to problem-solve to formulate a plan of care and evaluate the patient's response to care - Abstract Reasoning
• Critical thinking ability so that they can evaluate and solve the problems of their patients - Logical Reasoning
• Microsoft Office - Excel Basics, MS word Basics‍