DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
29-1123 Physical Therapists
Occupational Description:
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.| Percentiles | |||||||||
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| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 3,320 | 229 | $36.41/hr | $0.36/hr | $27.91/hr | $31.85/hr | $36.19/hr | $41.70/hr | $45.56/hr |
| U S | 191,460 | 1,723 | $39.52/hr | $0.12/hr | $27.11/hr | $32.63/hr | $38.91/hr | $45.25/hr | $54.60/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2010 - 2020 | |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 5,660 | $28.31/hr | 7.3% |
| Respiratory Therapists | 1,610 | $30.47/hr | 24.8% |
| Athletic Trainers | 500 | $42,087/yr | 24.8% |
Tasks for Physical Therapists
- Administers manual exercises to improve and maintain function.
- Administers massage, applying knowledge of massage techniques and body physiology.
- Instructs, motivates, and assists patient to perform various physical activities and use supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
- Administers traction to relieve pain, using traction equipment.
- Records treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enters information into computer.
- Confers with medical practitioners to obtain additional information, suggest revisions in treatment, and integrate physical therapy into patient's care.
- Evaluates, fits, and adjusts prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommends modification to orthotist.
- Instructs patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Plans and prepares written treatment program based on evaluation of patient data.
- Reviews physician's referral and patient's condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required.
- Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency and records data.
- Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Administers treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines.