Physical Therapist

Summary

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.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description. These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
• Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
• Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient’s chart or enter information into computer.
• Obtain patients’ informed consent to proposed interventions.
• Test and measure patient’s strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
• Review physician’s referral and patient’s medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.
• Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
• Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

Education and Experience

Degree as a physical therapist from an institution that has been approved for the training of physical therapists by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Licensure and Certification

Licensed as a Physical Therapist in accordance with in accordance with Section 486, Florida Statutes and Rule Chapter 64B17, F.A.C.

Supervision

None

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.