United States
3142- Physiotherapists
Canada NOC:
3142
Job Title:
Physiotherapists
Job Description:
Physiotherapists assess patients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning and mobility, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in patients. Physiotherapists are employed in hospitals, clinics, industry, sports organizations, rehabilitation centres and extended care facilities, or they may work in private practice.
Main Duties:
Physiotherapists perform some or all of the following duties:
Assess patients' physical abilities through evaluative procedures such as functional ability tests
Establish treatment goals with patients based on physical diagnoses
Plan and implement programs of physiotherapy including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, the use of electro-therapeutic and other mechanical equipment and hydro-therapy
Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans and modify accordingly
Provide advice on exercise and strategies to implement at home to enhance and or maintain treatment
Communicate with referring physician and other healthcare professionals regarding patients' problems, needs and progress
Maintain clinical and statistical records and confer with other health care professionals
Develop and implement health promotion programs for patients, staff and the community
May conduct research in physiotherapy
May provide consulting or education services.
Physiotherapists may focus their practice in particular clinical areas such as neurology, oncology, rheumatology, orthopedics, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disorders, burns or sports injuries or in the field of ergonomics.
Employment Requirements:
A university degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training are required.
Physical rehabilitation therapists, who are only found in Quebec, require completion of a 3 year college program.
A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
Completion of a physiotherapist competency examination is required in all provinces and territories.
Additional Inormation:
Progression to management positions, such as director of physiotherapy, is possible through experience and additional training.
In Quebec, physical rehabilitation therapists cannot provide a diagnosis.
Classified Elsewhere:
Similar O*NET Careers (USA) :
International Careers(ISCO):
Source Of Info:
National Occupation Classification, (2011)
Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,
February 2012,
Catalogue no. 12-583-X
