Physical Therapist Job Description

The job of a physical therapist is both demanding as well as challenging. Physical therapists often work with physicians and health care professionals to restore motor skills, balance, coordination and overall endurance and physical fitness of people who have met with an accident or are suffering from a congenital disease. With the increase in life expectancy, the older population is going to increase in size. This would push up the need for rehabilitation and long term care for them. Studies indicate that the number of physical therapy jobs are going to grow much faster than the average for all other related occupations. To have a better understanding of the profession, let us take a look at physical therapist job description.

Physical Therapist Job Description

Injuries due to accidents can debilitate a person's ability to move around. After the wounds have healed, many individuals are referred by their physicians to physical therapists who help them bring their bodies back to normal working conditions. These professionals concentrate on improving the motion, flexibility, and endurance of the injured parts of the body. Their aim is to restore proper motor control and relieve any pain or discomfort that the patient may be suffering due to injury. They first diagnose the cause and type of injury that the patient suffered, and understand the treatment that the patient has undergone. They may also require to refer to the medical history of the patient. Depending upon the findings and understanding of the case at hand, a physical therapist plans out a treatment regime for the patient. Needless to say, physical therapy treatment for each patient is unique as per the need.

Duties of a physical therapist also involves recommending proper exercises for patients. They may use massage therapy to improve the conditions of the muscles, and ice and heat compresses to reduce pain and treat swelling. The therapeutic equipment that they use may consist of whirlpool baths, ultrasonic machines, infrared and ultrasonic lamps. They teach patients how to use stationary bicycles, parallel bars, lift pulleys and weights. In case patients need to use a wheelchair, braces, crutches or artificial limbs, a physical therapist explains to the patients as well their family members how to use and care for such equipment. Job description of physical therapist also involves monitoring and maintaining a record of patients' progress.

Besides treating those suffering from injuries due to accidents, physical therapy is also useful for neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS or brain injury. Physical therapists are also helpful in treating infants and adolescents with congenital birth defects that made them lose their motor skills, balance and coordination. For example, physical therapy for cerebral palsy is recommended to help children overcome physical disabilities.

Physical therapists most commonly work in hospitals and nursing homes. However, they also find employment in the world of sports to improve endurance, fitness and treat injuries that sportspersons are very prone to. Some schools look to employ physical therapists to ensure the overall health of the students and of the sports team in particular. With higher education, one may get employed in a university to impart instructions on the discipline of physical therapy.

Education and Training

If you are wondering how to become a physical therapist, start with the right kind of education. To be a trained professional one needs to have at least a master's degree in physical therapy. Doctorates in physical therapy are also given by certain institutes. Individuals applying for these courses need to have a bachelor's degree which should have prerequisite courses that are required by various universities. To start with, one should have a science background. However, to be able to practice, graduates must pass state examinations and acquire a state license. Many states require physical therapists to continue taking more courses in order to be able practice.

The physical therapist job description makes it clear that this profession is physically demanding. Hence these professionals need to be extremely fit. They may have to go to hospitals or homes of patients' who are bedridden. Since the loss of mobility and motor control can be a strong blow to an individual's confidence, physical therapists need to be extremely patient and calm with those who they treat.