Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Plan, prepare and carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in patients. Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention. Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. Administer manual exercises, massage or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity. Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home. Confer with the patient, medical practitioners and appropriate others to plan, implement and assess the intervention program. Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required. Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer. Obtain patients' consent to proposed interventions. Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals. Supervise, train and assess therapy students during onsite clinical affiliations.