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 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 10 - Southeast | 340 | 12 | $37.08/hr | $1.21/hr | $30.24/hr | $32.78/hr | $36.93/hr | $42.43/hr | $45.84/hr |
| Minnesota | 3,220 | 180 | $35.32/hr | $0.39/hr | $27.20/hr | $31.37/hr | $35.04/hr | $39.88/hr | $45.05/hr |
| U S | 185,440 | 1,854 | $39.21/hr | $0.12/hr | $26.87/hr | $32.35/hr | $38.45/hr | $45.10/hr | $54.36/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 - | |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 440 | $27.40/hr | N/A |
| Respiratory Therapists | 260 | $32.14/hr | N/A |
| Athletic Trainers | 80 | $49,085/yr | N/A |
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.