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What are some specific tasks physical therapists perform on a daily basis?

I am a senior in high school, and I have become more interested in physical therapy as a potential major. I feel as though it is beneficial to understand the tasks that are involved in this career. Knowing these tasks may allow me to decide if this is the career for me. #physical-therapy #tasks

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Nicole’s Answer

As a PT, you will be doing a variety of tasks everyday. Your main focus will always be the patient and giving them the best quality care in order to get them as close to "normal" as you can. You will need to be able to multi task as there are many factors that go into treating someone who is hurting or deconditioned. PT's also need care and compassion. Time management is also an important skill no matter what setting you choose to practice(outpatient, skilled nursing facility, home health care, hospital). Therapists need to treat patients and still get the charting completed, especially when others are involved in the patient's care, such as doctors, nurses, OT or PTA's.
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Donna’s Answer

As a physical therapist for 35+ years in several different settings, I found each setting had its own rewards and challenges. PT's can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities,home health, school systems, etc. In each setting, it was extremely rewarding to work with patients to achieve their highest level of independence, improve their function or decrease their pain. A typical day had regularly scheduled patients for the PT to see, either for an initial evaluation or ongoing treatment. Some settings have PT Assistants or aids to help with aspects of treatments; others the PT does the entire treatment themselves. As patients improve, you change their treatment goals and set up a new program for them to work on, so the work is ever-changing and can be very challenging when a patient isn't improving or cooperating. Most patient interactions are very enjoyable.
There is always the paperwork/computer charting aspect of the job and that can be exasperating some days, but it is necessary to do that well so someone else can step in to work with your patient if you can't. Also, there are opportunities to work both full and part time in PT, as your own life events change.
PT is an excellent field and the demand will continue into the future as higher numbers of the population age.
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