Career & Job Readiness

JOB SPOTLIGHT

Physical Therapist

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Physical Therapist

RIASEC Code: SIR
Lexile Range: 1460L–1670L
Education Required: Master’s or Doctoral Degree
Expected Salary:
Career Cluster: Health Science
Career Pathway: Therapeutic Services

Physical therapists 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. They perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention. Physical therapists record the prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in a patient’s chart or enter information into a computer. They also valuate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

Key Skills

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.