Physical Therapists
On the Job
Physical Therapists work with patients to help them restore physical functioning. They create treatment plans and advise patients on exercises. They maintain records on patients' progress.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
- Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.
- Record patient medical histories.
- Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
- Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
- Fabricate medical devices.
- Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
- Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
- Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Typical Working Conditions
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Close physical proximity with other people.
- Dealing with external customers.
- Working with a group or team.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Standing.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- Exposure to disease or infections.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
