Physical Therapist

Jump to:

Physical Therapist Job Description

Physical therapists (PTs) work closely with clients, patients and their families to promote, restore and maintain overall wellness and fitness, the goal being a more active, more satisfying lifestyle. Physical therapists provide specialized services that help improve mobility, help improve or restore function, relieve pain and discomfort, and reverse or marginalize physical disabilities that result from disease or injuries. Patients that physical therapists work with may include the following:

Victims of accidents
Individuals with disabling diseases
Patients with acute or chronic low back pain
Victims of fractures
Patients with head injuries
Arthritis sufferers
Patients with heart disease
Children and adults with cerebral palsy

Responsibilities

The PT will use the finding from this thorough examination and his or her evaluative judgment to determine a patient’s diagnosis and accompanying prognosis, and develop a plan of care that describes evidence-based strategies for treatment. The PT will also describe the functional outcomes expected from the treatment. The PT will include in the plan of care a determination of the patient’s projected ability to function independently and potential for reintegration into the community and workplace after illness or injury.

Some of the common tasks a physical therapist may be expected to perform include:

Taking the patient’s or client’s history
Conduct a review of systems exam
Perform tests and measures on strength
Assess range of motion
Evaluate balance and coordination
Assess posture and overall muscle performance
Evaluate respiration
Perform tests to measure motor function
Identify potential and existing problems

Skills

Physical Endurance	A PT must be able to be physical for many hours to help their patients as needed. They must be able to bend, twist, lift, crouch, kneel, push/pull, and the agility to move quickly and ensure patient safety.
Record-keeping	Must be able to collect and integrate patient histories to solve problems and develop treatments.
Emotional Stability	Must be able to handle the emotional stress of working with impaired patients in need of compassionate health care.
Multitasking	The ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Interpersonal	Must be able to interact with patients and their families regardless of background.
Reasoning	Must be able to apply facts and principles to issues to determine conclusions and solve problems. They must use knowledge and logic to find patters in injuries and determine causes and provide solutions.
Communication	Must be able to clearly convey thoughts and ideas to gauge patient's issues and convey to them the best path to treatment.
Empathy	Must be compassionate and able to empathize with a patient's pain and other difficulties. They are able to make people feel comfortable and meet them at their emotional level to humanize themselves and let people know they care.
Patience	They must understand it takes time to see results and be willing to put in that time. They also must help their clients have patience--especially if they are trying to overcome a difficult injury.
Problem-Solving	Must be able to use knowledge to gauge issues and determine the best route to recovery.
Dexterity	Must work well with your hands and be nimble. You will be put in situations where physical therapy is a must.

Working Conditions

Physical therapists (PTs) may find opportunities for employment in any of the following settings:

Hospitals
Home health agencies
Public or private outpatient clinics
Private doctor’s office or physical therapy offices
Public or private schools, colleges and universities
Fitness and sports facilities
Skilled nursing facilities
Assisted living centers

Most full-time physical therapists work a standard 40-hour week. This may include some evening and weekend or holiday rotations.

A physical therapy position can be physically demanding, requiring the PT to frequently kneel, stoop, crouch, lift or stand for long periods of time. Physical therapists are also expected to move heavy equipment around and lift patients when needed. They also assist patients with turning, standing and walking.

Salary Outlook

$68,690 25^th Percentile

$82,390 50^th Percentile

$96,060 75^th Percentile

$33.02 Hourly

$39.61 Hourly

$46.18 Hourly

Estimated Annual Salary	Average Hourly Wage	Positions Nationwide
$83,940.00	$40.36	211,000

Resources

Local Licensing Authority

ABPTRFE

ABPTS

Specialist Certification

Title	Company	Location	Posted
PHYSICAL THERAPIST	Tift Regional Medical Center	Tifton, GA	04.24.2019
The Physical Therapist performs physical therapy evaluations, treatments, and documentation requirements in accordance with professional standard. The Physical Therapist also participates in other departmental duties and activities as needed....
Physical Therapist	Oklahoma State University Medical Center	Tulsa, OK	04.24.2019
Under the guidance of the Manager of Rehab Medicine, and level II and III Physical Therapists, the level I Physical Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of the patient's needs following disability, injury, disease or...
Physical Therapist	VCU Health System	Richmond, VA	04.24.2019
VCU Health System-Children's Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) at VCU, Fredericksburg Therapy Center located in Fredericksburg, Virginia is seeking a full time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of...
Physical Therapist	VCU Health System	Richmond, VA	04.24.2019
VCU Health System-Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Stafford Therapy Center, located in Stafford, Virginia, Physical Therapy Outpatient is seeking an hourly (PRN) Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the...
Physical Therapist	VCU Health System	Richmond, VA	04.24.2019
- Successful completion/graduate of a program required by job VCU Health System's Acute PT department is seeking a part-time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of physical therapy care to the...
Physical Therapist	VCU Health System	Richmond, VA	04.24.2019
VCU Health System's Acute PT department is seeking a full time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of physical therapy care to the patient population to which she/he is assigned and the recording...
Physical Therapist	Carson Valley Medical Center	Gardnerville, NV	03.21.2019
for a Physical Therapist As a physical therapist you will plan and implement specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of Physical Therapy. Also will collaborate with interdisciplinary...
Physical Therapist	VCU Health System	Richmond, VA	04.24.2019
VCU Health System's Physical Therapy/Outpatient is seeking a full time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of physical therapy care to the patient population to which she/he is assigned and the...
Physical Therapist	McCready Health	Crisfield, MD	12.03.2018
Physical Therapist Posted: December 3, 2018 The licensed staff Physical Therapist is to provide physical therapy services to patients in the acute care, sub-acute/skilled care, long term care, and outpatient departments within the scope of...
Physical Therapist	Southwestern Medical Center	Lawton, OK	03.25.2019
The Licensed Physical Therapist provides patient care based upon a total assessment and written evaluation that is appropriate for the patients need and medical condition and provides such care in compliance with the hospital and physical therapy...
Physical Therapist	Marshall Medical Centers	Boaz, AL	10.22.2018
The following statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements, which may be inherent in the...
Physical Therapist	St. Luke Community Healthcare	Ronan, MT	04.24.2019
Physical Therapist Are you a new grad looking for a great place to start your career, with an environment that allows for growth and advancement? Are you an experienced Physical Therapist looking to develop your skills and further your career?...
Physical Therapist	Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Milton	Milton, MA	04.24.2019
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton is committed to improving the health of our community by providing exceptional, personalized health care with dignity, compassion and respect. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton is seeking a part-time,...
Physical Therapist	Memorial Health System	Marietta, OH	04.24.2019
In an environment of continuous quality improvement, the Physical Therapist is responsible for evaluating patients, establishing treatment plans, and administering medically prescribed therapy to restore function following disease, injury, or...
Physical Therapist	Scotland Health Care System	Laurinburg, NC	04.03.2018
Physical Therapist performs evaluation and treatment of patients ranging throughout the life span using physical measures, methods or procedures that are commensurate with the physical therapist's education and training. This includes the...

PHYSICAL THERAPIST Tifton, GA Tift Regional Medical Center
The Physical Therapist performs physical therapy evaluations, treatments, and documentation requirements in accordance with professional standard. The Physical Therapist also participates in other departmental duties and activities as needed....
Physical Therapist Tulsa, OK Oklahoma State University Medical Center
Under the guidance of the Manager of Rehab Medicine, and level II and III Physical Therapists, the level I Physical Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of the patient's needs following disability, injury, disease or...
Physical Therapist Richmond, VA VCU Health System
VCU Health System-Children's Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) at VCU, Fredericksburg Therapy Center located in Fredericksburg, Virginia is seeking a full time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of...
Physical Therapist Richmond, VA VCU Health System
VCU Health System-Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Stafford Therapy Center, located in Stafford, Virginia, Physical Therapy Outpatient is seeking an hourly (PRN) Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the...
Physical Therapist Richmond, VA VCU Health System
- Successful completion/graduate of a program required by job VCU Health System's Acute PT department is seeking a part-time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of physical therapy care to the...
Physical Therapist Richmond, VA VCU Health System
VCU Health System's Acute PT department is seeking a full time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of physical therapy care to the patient population to which she/he is assigned and the recording...
Physical Therapist Gardnerville, NV Carson Valley Medical Center
for a Physical Therapist As a physical therapist you will plan and implement specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of Physical Therapy. Also will collaborate with interdisciplinary...
Physical Therapist Richmond, VA VCU Health System
VCU Health System's Physical Therapy/Outpatient is seeking a full time Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the delivery of physical therapy care to the patient population to which she/he is assigned and the...
Physical Therapist Crisfield, MD McCready Health
Physical Therapist Posted: December 3, 2018 The licensed staff Physical Therapist is to provide physical therapy services to patients in the acute care, sub-acute/skilled care, long term care, and outpatient departments within the scope of...
Physical Therapist Lawton, OK Southwestern Medical Center
The Licensed Physical Therapist provides patient care based upon a total assessment and written evaluation that is appropriate for the patients need and medical condition and provides such care in compliance with the hospital and physical therapy...
Physical Therapist Guntersville, AL Marshall Medical Centers
The following statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements, which may be inherent in the...
Physical Therapist Ronan, MT St. Luke Community Healthcare
Physical Therapist Are you a new grad looking for a great place to start your career, with an environment that allows for growth and advancement? Are you an experienced Physical Therapist looking to develop your skills and further your career?...
Physical Therapist Milton, MA Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Milton
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton is committed to improving the health of our community by providing exceptional, personalized health care with dignity, compassion and respect. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton is seeking a part-time,...
Physical Therapist Marietta, OH Memorial Health System
In an environment of continuous quality improvement, the Physical Therapist is responsible for evaluating patients, establishing treatment plans, and administering medically prescribed therapy to restore function following disease, injury, or...
Physical Therapist Laurinburg, NC Scotland Health Care System
Physical Therapist performs evaluation and treatment of patients ranging throughout the life span using physical measures, methods or procedures that are commensurate with the physical therapist's education and training. This includes the...

Physical Therapist