According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. | 97% |
| Document patient information, such as notes on their progress. | 97% |
| Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes. | 96% |
| Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise. | 93% |
| Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment. | 91% |
| Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment. | 90% |
| Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound. | 88% |
| Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. | 88% |
| Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment. | 85% |
| Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans. | 85% |
| Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations. | 83% |
| Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices. | 83% |
| Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment. | 81% |
| Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists. | 78% |
| Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment. | 77% |
| Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings. | 77% |
| Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities. | 77% |
| Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches. | 76% |
| Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions. | 71% |
| Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms. | 61% |
| Perform therapeutic wound care. | 57% |
