School of Rehabilitation Sciences
Regaining the ability to walk or move without pain can be life changing. If you become a physical therapy professional, you’ll not only get to witness these moments but also help to make them a reality for your patients!
Exploring Roles in the Physical Therapy Field
Physical therapy is often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Physical therapists (PTs) help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. To do so, they create a healing and recovery plan for a patient, including estimating the time necessary for possible recovery.
Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) treat patients through exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic interventions. They record patients’ progress and report the results of each treatment to the physical therapist.
Characteristics of Physical Therapy Providers
- Offer direct patient interaction that can be very emotionally rewarding
- Typically work in an outpatient environment or medical office but can also be in hospital environments
- May be the primary assessment figure providing treatment and counsel in ambulatory clinics (walk-up clinics)
- Must be strong and clear communicators who work well under pressure
- Best suited for individuals who have high compassion along with an unquestionable desire to solve problems
- Must be capable of interacting with patients of all ages and all walks of life in various (and sometimes difficult) circumstances
Available Locations
Help Patients Heal with Physical Therapy
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