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Physical Therapists

It's a bright outlook for

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Learn more about what they do.

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.

Related: Occupational Therapists Occupational Therapy Assistants Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians Physical Therapist Aides Physical Therapist Assistants

Industries: Health & Counseling

Summary
Details

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.
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.
Direct group rehabilitation activities.
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.
Teach physical therapy students or those in other health professions.
Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.
Refer clients to community resources or services.
Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.
Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.
Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.
Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.
Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.
Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.
Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.

Speaking
- Talking to others.
Mathematics
- Using math to solve problems.
Instructing
- Teaching people how to do something.
Operations Analysis
- Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Programming
- Writing computer programs.
Management of Personnel Resources
- Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Social Perceptiveness
- Understanding people's reactions.
Operation and Control
- Using equipment or systems.
Persuasion
- Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Technology Design
- Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Troubleshooting
- Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Management of Financial Resources
- Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Management of Material Resources
- Managing equipment and materials.
Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Systems Evaluation
- Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Time Management
- Managing your time and the time of other people.
Science
- Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Active Learning
- Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Monitoring
- Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Negotiation
- Bringing people together to solve differences.
Equipment Selection
- Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Installation
- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
Coordination
- Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Equipment Maintenance
- Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Systems Analysis
- Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Learning Strategies
- Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Complex Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Service Orientation
- Looking for ways to help people.
Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Quality Control Analysis
- Testing how well a product or service works.

Deductive Reasoning
- Using rules to solve problems.
Problem Sensitivity
- Noticing when problems happen.
Oral Comprehension
- Listening and understanding what people say.
Originality
- Creating new and original ideas.
Category Flexibility
- Grouping things in different ways.
Time Sharing
- Doing two or more things at the same time.
Reaction Time
- Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Sound Localization
- Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Gross Body Coordination
- Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Glare Sensitivity
- Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Perceptual Speed
- Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Control Precision
- Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Finger Dexterity
- Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Speech Recognition
- Recognizing spoken words.
Dynamic Flexibility
- Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Trunk Strength
- Using your lower back and stomach.
Information Ordering
- Ordering or arranging things.
Written Expression
- Communicating by writing.
Static Strength
- Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Visualization
- Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Response Orientation
- Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Explosive Strength
- Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Hearing Sensitivity
- Telling the difference between sounds.
Written Comprehension
- Reading and understanding what is written.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Selective Attention
- Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Rate Control
- Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Speed of Closure
- Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Stamina
- Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Extent Flexibility
- Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Night Vision
- Seeing at night or under low light.
Gross Body Equilibrium
- Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Near Vision
- Seeing details up close.
Visual Color Discrimination
- Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Depth Perception
- Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Oral Expression
- Communicating by speaking.
Mathematical Reasoning
- Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Memorization
- Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Wrist-Finger Speed
- Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Spatial Orientation
- Knowing where things are around you.
Multilimb Coordination
- Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Fluency of Ideas
- Coming up with lots of ideas.
Inductive Reasoning
- Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Auditory Attention
- Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Speech Clarity
- Speaking clearly.
Number Facility
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Flexibility of Closure
- Seeing hidden patterns.
Manual Dexterity
- Holding or moving items with your hands.
Speed of Limb Movement
- Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Dynamic Strength
- Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Peripheral Vision
- Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Far Vision
- Seeing details that are far away.

Physics
- Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
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.
English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Communications and Media
- Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Telecommunications
- Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Economics and Accounting
- Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Administration and Management
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Sociology and Anthropology
- Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Biology
- Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Philosophy and Theology
- Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Law and Government
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Administrative
- Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Engineering and Technology
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Computers and Electronics
- Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Foreign Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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.
Personnel and Human Resources
- Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Design
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mechanical
- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Chemistry
- Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
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.
Transportation
- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Mathematics
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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.
History and Archeology
- Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Public Safety and Security
- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Geography
- Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Fine Arts
- Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Food Production
- Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Sales and Marketing
- Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Building and Construction
- Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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.

Education

Doctoral or professional degree

Work Experience

No work experience

Training

No on-the-job training

Education and Training Opportunities

Washington Annual Salary

102140/yr

Washington Hourly Wage

49.11/hr

Currently Employed

9,040

Yearly Projected Openings

710

Social: People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking. They do well at jobs that need:

Optimism
Sincerity
Perseverance
Empathy
Self-Control
Social Orientation

Back or lumbar or sacral orthopedic softgoods
Balance beams or boards or bolsters or rockers for rehabilitation or therapy
Biofeedback devices
Blood pressure cuff kits
Canes
Cardiac output CO monitoring units
Cervical collars or neck braces
Cognitive or dexterity or perceptual or sensory evaluation or testing products
Continuous passive motion CPM devices
Crutches
Diathermy units
Digital camcorders or video cameras
Digital cameras
Dynamometers
Electric vibrators for rehabilitation or therapy
Electromyography EMG units
Electronic blood pressure units
Electrotherapy combination units
Exercise trampolines
Extremity hydrotherapy baths or tanks
Force or torque sensors
Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks
Gait belts for rehabilitation or therapy
Galvanic or faradic stimulators
Goniometers or arthrometers
Grip strengthener
Infrared lamps
Knee therapeutic brace or support
Laser printers
Lower body resistance machines
Lower extremity prosthetic devices
Mats or platforms for rehabilitation or therapy
Medical acoustic stethoscopes
Medical hydrocollators
Neuromuscular stimulators or kits
Notebook computers
Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets
Orthopedic traction hardware or weights
Orthopedic traction softgoods for general use
Orthotics or foot care products
Parallel bars for rehabilitation or therapy
Patient care beds for general use
Patient care beds for specialty care
Patient lifts
Patient shifting boards
Pedal exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy
Pelvis or back traction supplies
Personal computers
Pivotal traction therapy supplies
Powder boards for rehabilitation or therapy
Pulleys for rehabilitation or therapy
Reachers for the physically challenged
Reflex hammers or mallets
Resistive exercise bands or putty or tubing for rehabilitation or therapy
Rowing machines
Stair climbers
Therapeutic balls
Therapeutic cryo compression therapy systems
Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs
Therapeutic paraffin baths
Training stairs for rehabilitation or therapy
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation units
Treadmill exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy
Ultrasonic therapy apparatus or supplies
Ultraviolet UV lamps
Upper body resistance machines
Upper extremity prosthetic devices
Vascular or compression apparel or support
Vestibular motion devices for rehabilitation or therapy
Walkers or rollators
Walking braces
Weight machines for rehabilitation or therapy
Weights or sets for rehabilitation or therapy
Wheelchairs
Work table or station for rehabilitation or therapy
Wrist exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy

Accounting software
Action games
Analytical or scientific software
Calendar and scheduling software
Electronic mail software
Medical software
Office suite software
Spreadsheet software
Word processing software

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