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What are the average day to day duties of a physical therapist/physical therapy aide?
I am currently working on a Health Science major with a concentration in physical therapy. I would like to further understand the responsibilities of professionals who work in physical therapy.
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Elizabeth’s Answer
Hello Leon,
I'm excited to share with you a glimpse into the life and responsibilities of a Physical Therapist, a role I'm licensed in and have extensive experience with. The nature of our work can vary depending on the specific setting we're in, but the core principles remain the same.
At the heart of a Physical Therapist's duties is the commitment to maintain integrity and adhere to the APTA Core Values. We're tasked with delivering safe, accessible, cost-effective, and evidence-based services. Our primary goal is to help individuals enhance their mobility and physical function, manage pain and chronic conditions, and aid in recovery and prevention of injuries and chronic diseases. We achieve this by guiding and mentoring patients through various exercises and rehabilitation activities aimed at improving their quality of life, function, and mobility.
Throughout my career, I've mainly worked in a hospital environment, catering to both adult and pediatric patients with acute mobility needs. I've had the privilege of serving diverse patient populations, including those with cardiac, neurological, orthopedic, and oncology conditions. My role involves educating patients and their caregivers on how to enhance mobility, handling, and safety through Physical Therapy.
In my current role as a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Acute Care, my daily routine involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team of professionals. This includes Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physicians, Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers, Child Life Specialists, and many others. Together, we strive to provide comprehensive care to our patients, preparing them for discharge. I'm responsible for identifying acute mobility issues, ensuring safe activity and mobility, recommending necessary equipment, and advocating for continued skilled Physical Therapy services post-discharge if required.
I interact with patients in various settings - their bedside, the hallway, the playroom, outdoors, or in our rehabilitation gym, depending on their unique needs. The duration of these interactions is also tailored to their specific needs and progress towards functional goals. As an Acute Care Physical Therapist, I have the autonomy to create my schedule based on the availability and needs of my patients. The dynamic nature of each day is something I truly enjoy.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what the life and responsibilities of a Physical Therapist entail.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
I'm excited to share with you a glimpse into the life and responsibilities of a Physical Therapist, a role I'm licensed in and have extensive experience with. The nature of our work can vary depending on the specific setting we're in, but the core principles remain the same.
At the heart of a Physical Therapist's duties is the commitment to maintain integrity and adhere to the APTA Core Values. We're tasked with delivering safe, accessible, cost-effective, and evidence-based services. Our primary goal is to help individuals enhance their mobility and physical function, manage pain and chronic conditions, and aid in recovery and prevention of injuries and chronic diseases. We achieve this by guiding and mentoring patients through various exercises and rehabilitation activities aimed at improving their quality of life, function, and mobility.
Throughout my career, I've mainly worked in a hospital environment, catering to both adult and pediatric patients with acute mobility needs. I've had the privilege of serving diverse patient populations, including those with cardiac, neurological, orthopedic, and oncology conditions. My role involves educating patients and their caregivers on how to enhance mobility, handling, and safety through Physical Therapy.
In my current role as a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Acute Care, my daily routine involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team of professionals. This includes Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physicians, Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers, Child Life Specialists, and many others. Together, we strive to provide comprehensive care to our patients, preparing them for discharge. I'm responsible for identifying acute mobility issues, ensuring safe activity and mobility, recommending necessary equipment, and advocating for continued skilled Physical Therapy services post-discharge if required.
I interact with patients in various settings - their bedside, the hallway, the playroom, outdoors, or in our rehabilitation gym, depending on their unique needs. The duration of these interactions is also tailored to their specific needs and progress towards functional goals. As an Acute Care Physical Therapist, I have the autonomy to create my schedule based on the availability and needs of my patients. The dynamic nature of each day is something I truly enjoy.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what the life and responsibilities of a Physical Therapist entail.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
It is great that you are seeking these answers in order to determine if physical therapy is the best field for you. The lead in question asks about a physical therapist and a physical therapy aide. There also is the option of becoming a physical therapist assistant.
Becoming a physical therapist requires a bachelors degree followed by a graduate degree to earn a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). The graduate degree is typically a 3 year program. A physical therapist is responsible for doing patient evaluations and communicating with the patient to determine the outcome goals and the treatment plan to reach those goals. Depending on the setting, the physical therapist may work directly with the patient and/or supervise the physical therapist assistant who works with the patient. The physical therapist reevaluates the patient and sets up new goals and treatment plans as needed as well as completing a discharge summary when treatment is completed.
Becoming a physical therapist assistant requires an associates degree (PTA), often from a community college. The primary duties of this career involve working directly with the patient following the established treatment plan to achieve the goals that have been set up in the physical therapist's evaluation. The PTA documents treatment and progress and communicates with the patient and the physical therapist regarding the patient's progress and possible needs to alter treatment and/or goals.
Becoming a physical therapist aide requires a high school degree or GED. Physical therapy aides do not actually treat patients. They perform tasks that are helpful to patients and staff including things like setting up and cleaning treatment areas, transporting patients to and from the physical therapy department, etc.
These careers can be very different depending on the setting which could be acute care in a hospital, rehabilitation in a rehab center or skilled care center, working with children in schools or in hospitals or out patient centers, out patient clinics, working with clients in their homes, etc. All of these settings require strong communication skills with patients, families and other health professions who are also on the team treating the patient. As part of the application to PT or PTA school, there is a requirement to do observation hours in multiple settings. So, that helps give an idea of whether this field is for you.
If you do a search on YouTube for "what do physical therapists do" or "what do physical therapist assistants do" you will find some very informative videos that could help you determine whether you want to pursue these careers.
Good luck!
Becoming a physical therapist requires a bachelors degree followed by a graduate degree to earn a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). The graduate degree is typically a 3 year program. A physical therapist is responsible for doing patient evaluations and communicating with the patient to determine the outcome goals and the treatment plan to reach those goals. Depending on the setting, the physical therapist may work directly with the patient and/or supervise the physical therapist assistant who works with the patient. The physical therapist reevaluates the patient and sets up new goals and treatment plans as needed as well as completing a discharge summary when treatment is completed.
Becoming a physical therapist assistant requires an associates degree (PTA), often from a community college. The primary duties of this career involve working directly with the patient following the established treatment plan to achieve the goals that have been set up in the physical therapist's evaluation. The PTA documents treatment and progress and communicates with the patient and the physical therapist regarding the patient's progress and possible needs to alter treatment and/or goals.
Becoming a physical therapist aide requires a high school degree or GED. Physical therapy aides do not actually treat patients. They perform tasks that are helpful to patients and staff including things like setting up and cleaning treatment areas, transporting patients to and from the physical therapy department, etc.
These careers can be very different depending on the setting which could be acute care in a hospital, rehabilitation in a rehab center or skilled care center, working with children in schools or in hospitals or out patient centers, out patient clinics, working with clients in their homes, etc. All of these settings require strong communication skills with patients, families and other health professions who are also on the team treating the patient. As part of the application to PT or PTA school, there is a requirement to do observation hours in multiple settings. So, that helps give an idea of whether this field is for you.
If you do a search on YouTube for "what do physical therapists do" or "what do physical therapist assistants do" you will find some very informative videos that could help you determine whether you want to pursue these careers.
Good luck!
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Leon,
You have asked a good question! As Cynthia explained above in the field of Physical Therapy- you can be a Licensed Physical Therapist, a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, or an Aide to the Physical Therapist. To the untrained eye, it may seem that Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants have very similar days. They will both directly treat patients, performing activities such as: leading patients through strengthening exercises, teaching a patient how to walk again, or teaching a patient how to use a wheelchair as a few examples. A Physical Therapist is, however, the only professional who can also evaluate a patient for the injury performing special tests and measures that they learn in school. Both Physical Therapists and PT Assistants will also spend a portion of their day documenting the care that they provided to each patient and returning phone calls to patients and doctors.
A Physical Therapy Aide generally works alongside a Physical Therapist or PT assistant. They may help set a patient up on exercises, or clean up after the exercises have been completed. They may also do additional tasks like patient transportation, putting away laundry and assisting a therapist as directed by the therapist.
Every day is different as a therapist but the days are generally busy. You should like interacting with people, problem-solving and being on your feet for the day. Becoming a Physical Therapy Aide is a good 1st step to see if you might enjoy being a Physical Therapist.
You have asked a good question! As Cynthia explained above in the field of Physical Therapy- you can be a Licensed Physical Therapist, a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, or an Aide to the Physical Therapist. To the untrained eye, it may seem that Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants have very similar days. They will both directly treat patients, performing activities such as: leading patients through strengthening exercises, teaching a patient how to walk again, or teaching a patient how to use a wheelchair as a few examples. A Physical Therapist is, however, the only professional who can also evaluate a patient for the injury performing special tests and measures that they learn in school. Both Physical Therapists and PT Assistants will also spend a portion of their day documenting the care that they provided to each patient and returning phone calls to patients and doctors.
A Physical Therapy Aide generally works alongside a Physical Therapist or PT assistant. They may help set a patient up on exercises, or clean up after the exercises have been completed. They may also do additional tasks like patient transportation, putting away laundry and assisting a therapist as directed by the therapist.
Every day is different as a therapist but the days are generally busy. You should like interacting with people, problem-solving and being on your feet for the day. Becoming a Physical Therapy Aide is a good 1st step to see if you might enjoy being a Physical Therapist.
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