Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Physical Therapist
A Physical Therapist (PT) is a health professional who directs and aids patients in therapy treatment programs. They evaluate and treat patients utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques and evaluate effects of treatment at various stages. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Physical Therapists.
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Main Responsibilities of Physical Therapist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Physical Therapist:
Adhere to
Adhere to all accreditation requirements.
Adhere to all state and federal regulations regarding physical therapy.
Administer
Administer manual therapeutic exercises to improve or maintain muscle function.
Administer or prescribes exercise programs / development of patient care programs.
Administer or prescribes modalities and other physical agents.
Administer physical therapy treatments by giving massages.
Administer prescribed treatments, modifying such treatments as indicated by patient's reaction.
Anticipate
Anticipate patients' / customers' needs and acts accordingly.
Apply
Apply diagnostic and prognostic muscle, nerve, joint, and functional ability tests.
Apply learning for improved performance.
Apply the Principles of Logic & Scientific Method to the Practice of PT.
Articulate
Articulate and integrate safety policies and procedures into daily practice.
Assist in
Assist clinicians in treating all manner of clients within their scope of practice.
Assist in recommending the selection and purchase of materials, supplies and equipment.
Assist patients and families.
Assist physical therapy care by preparing treatment area, patient, equipment and materials.
Assist the Licensed Therapist with patient-related activities and direct patient care.
Assist with analyses of Requests for Proposals.
Assist with and participates in Quality Assurance Programs as required.
Assist with class / labs equipment is set up for each class / lab.
Assist with clinical education of students if not the Primary CI.
Assist with orientation of new personnel.
Assist with record keeping as necessary to meet requirements of accrediting agencies.
Assist with resident scheduling and post charges daily to resident records.
Assume
Assume personal accountability for organizational mission and core values.
Assure
Assure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs.
Build
Build long-lasting relationships with patients, colleagues, doctors / physicians / referral sources.
Build strong rapport with clients from a variety of backgrounds through strong communication.
Build subject matter knowledge across Business Analyst resources.
Coach
Coach other consultants and provide performance feedback.
Collaborate with
Collaborate and communicates with other health care providers.
Collaborate with the clinical team in the development of the child's programs.
Communicate
Communicate calmly and clearly.
Communicate professionally and effectively with clients, teammates, and colleagues at all levels.
Communicate with all individuals appropriately, while maintaining confidentiality.
Complete
Complete all compliance standards as requested.
Complete all DSM patient health status reports as required and forwards appropriately.
Complete and maintain required certifications, registries, and continuing education.
Complete assignments independently, and fosters an environment of teamwork, quality and safety.
Comply with
Comply with the documentation requirements of the rehab department and facility.
Conduct
Conduct appropriate assessments.
Conduct the evaluation of responses to therapy interventions.
Consult
Consult and practice with other health professionals.
Contribute to
Contribute to the Physical Therapist's effectiveness by identifying patient care issues.
Coordinate
Coordinate patient care programs with treatment team to facilitate and enhance functional outcomes.
Create
Create fitness- and wellness-oriented programs tailored to patients' specific needs.
Define
Define the right test strategy for testing.
Deliver
Deliver and supervise others in the delivery of physical therapy services.
Determine
Determine and implement appropriate interventions within the plan of care.
Determine physical therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians.
Develop
Develop and communicate personalized treatment plans for each of your clients.
Develop and document patient focused short and long term goals that are functional and measurable.
Develop and maintain key client relationships, particularly with client AML experts and leaders.
Develop care plans using a variety of treatment techniques.
Develop work relationships that honor and respect others' strengths and abilities.
Develop your skills with training and scholarship opportunities.
Direct
Direct and aid patients in treatment programs.
Direct treatments given by aides and assistants.
Document
Document patient care services by charting in patient records.
Document patient care services by charting patient notes in E.H.R. system and / or written charts.
Document patient care services in patient records.
Document patient care services (PT and PTA) according to company policy.
Document in a timely, accurate manner to ensure appropriate billing submissions.
Document the extent of the patient's involvement in the decision affecting his / her care.
Ensure
Ensure compliance with regulatory parameters.
Ensure that department follows administrative and clinical policies and procedures.
Establish
Establish education and treatment planning.
Evaluate
Evaluate and treat patients in a hospital-based outpatient setting.
Evaluate and treat patients in an acute rehab setting.
Evaluate and treats patients utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques per physicians orders.
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
Evaluate, fit, and adjust orthotic devices and communicates recommendations to the orthotist.
Execute
Execute tailored Care Plans.
Focus on
Focus on functional mobility, fall prevention, and home safety.
Follow
Follow all departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
Follow appropriate phone etiquette.
Follow clinic business processes and workflows.
Follow HIPAA standards when handling and transferring confidential patient data.
Follow written and oral instructions.
Help
Help patients move from one area of therapy to another.
Honor
Honor patient / customer / employee confidentiality.
Honor requests of management for interim rules.
Identify
Identify need for improvements and suggests modifications to related policies if needed.
Identify new opportunities at current and targeted clients.
Identify patient needs and appropriateness of patient.
Implement
Implement and maintain company's quality assurance programs.
Implement classroom management strategies that draw on children's strengths and participation.
Implement physical therapy directives.
Implement the treatment program through direct treatment of the patient.
Instruct
Instruct and counsel patients by describing therapeutic regimens.
Instruct on use of equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc. in safe manner.
Instruct patient and family in physical therapy procedures to be continued at home.
Instruct resident's family or nursing staff in follow-through programs.
Learn
Learn the industry's best, easy-to-use, advanced technology.
Maintain
Maintain accurate billing information in accordance with facility procedures daily.
Maintain a high level of autonomy.
Maintain and cares for apparatus equipment and treatment area.
Maintain a neat, orderly, and welcoming classroom environment.
Maintain a positive attitude and has excellent communication skills.
Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Maintain confidentiality of all medical record, facility, and rehab related information.
Maintain equipment and work area in a safe and clean condition.
Maintain positive level of interaction with facilities and clients.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops.
Maintain required records and notes on patient care.
Maintain safe and clean work environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Make
Make presentations to support marketing efforts, at team conferences and in-services.
Monitor
Monitor and supervise any student interns for this department.
Motivate
Motivate patients during treatment in order to help them function optimally.
Observe
Observe and evaluate patient's progress.
Own
Own the PT onboarding and set-up of new PT hires including hosting ongoing Q& A sessions.
Participate in
Participate in a multi-disciplinary team providing expertise in physical therapy.
Participate in ongoing clinical education.
Participate in outcomes tracking and monitoring.
Participate in program and School meetings.
Participate in the development and delivery of Clerestory's training curriculum.
Participate in wound care per agency policy and procedure.
Perform
Perform clinical pediatric assessment.
Perform evaluations and re-evaluations.
Perform home visits to implement programs.
Perform patient assessment / reassessment.
Perform requests as outlined by the P.T. Supervisor or the Director of Physical Therapy.
Perform therapeutic procedures by administering manual exercises.
Plan
Plan, implement and evaluate patient care to restore or maintain patient well-being.
Plan treatment programs with the patient and treatment team.
Prepare
Prepare payroll for staff.
Process
Process and prepare contractor payments (international contractors).
Progress
Progress / modify interventions to maximize outcomes within accepted guidelines.
Promote
Promote Agency philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
Promote clients' healthy lifestyle by improving strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Promote professionalism and coach students.
Promote cost consciousness.
Protect
Protect and honor customer and coworker confidentiality.
Protect patient and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
Provide
Provide advice and education to patient and family.
Provide assistance to those professional personnel who must meet certain requirements for licensure.
Provide back-up coverage for the Company Accountant.
Provide coordinated physical therapy to patients of all age groups.
Provide daily support to our Physical Therapists by answering their clinical and practical questions.
Provide direct guidance to clients performing active based therapy programs.
Provide home and program orientation and PT specific training to new Aides and Interventionists.
Provide meaningful education to patients.
Provide or participate in educational programs for staff, patients and the community at large.
Provide quality care as well as reasonable goals and outcomes within the guidelines.
Provide quality care to patients by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results.
Provide services that will restore physical function, improve mobility, relieve.
Provide skilled, timely and effective patient care.
Provide solution oversight on implementation projects.
Provide supervision according to state, federal and professional association standards.
Provide supervision of PTA�s and Rehab Techs / Aides as required for licensure.
Recommend
Recommend adjustments and modifications.
Recommend new Physical therapy methods and techniques.
Recommend and / or supports changes to policies and procedures.
Record
Record and document patient care services.
Respond to
Respond to physician orders for physical therapy.
Review
Review patient charts and progress prior to treatment and modifies treatment plan accordingly.
Schedule
Schedule changes daily due to staffing, client condition and needs, new clients, etc..
Supervise
Supervise PTA treating evaluated patient and is available for phone conference.
Supervise support staff and other departmental staff as it relates to patient care.
Supervise, train and assess therapy students during onsite clinical affiliations.
Support
Support and demonstrate continuous improvement of quality and service.
Support and resolve queries related to payroll with management and employees.
Support and strengthens the clinical operations, growth and overall success of the clinics.
Support the Company Accountant in duties related to employee benefits – aligned to Human Resources.
Take
Take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the patients.
Utilize
Utilize appropriate therapy equipment specific to patient diagnosis and needs.
Utilize appropriate manual skills and physical agents to realize the goals set for the patient.
Work with
Work directly with patients to achieve maximum physical recovery.
Work in an environment where agency culture fosters teamwork and excellence.
Work in partnership with Management to complete all mandatory compliance requirements.
Work in partnership with Sr. Leadership to complete all mandatory compliance requirements.
Work is reviewed through regular observation of the techniques employed and results obtained.
Work toward resolution of interpersonal conflicts as they arise.
Work very closely with other wellness disciplines.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Physical Therapist:
Therapy Program
Clinical Reasoning
DPT
Active Physical Therapist License
Driver's License
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Physical Therapist:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Communicate effectively with patients
Problem-solving attitude
Attention to detail
Flexible
Organizational capacity
Accountable
Leadership
Self-motivated
Time-management
Multi-task
Work independently with little direction
Work with an interdisciplinary team
Clinically driven
