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.

• Develop medical treatment plans.

Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.

• Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
• Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
• Record patient medical histories.

Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

• Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
• Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.

Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.

• Establish treatment goals.
• Record patient medical histories.

Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.

• Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
• Record patient medical histories.

Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.

• Process healthcare paperwork.

Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.

• Test patient heart or lung functioning.
• Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
• Record patient medical histories.

Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.

• Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.

• Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
• Process healthcare paperwork.

Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

• Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

• Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.

• Supervise medical support personnel.

Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.

• Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
• Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.

• Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.

Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.

• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.

• Communicate health and wellness information to the public.

Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.

• Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
• Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Teach physical therapy students or those in other health professions.

• Train medical providers.

Refer clients to community resources or services.

• Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.

• Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.
• Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.

• Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.

Direct group rehabilitation activities.

• Direct healthcare delivery programs.

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.

• Fabricate medical devices.