DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
29-1123 Physical Therapists
Occupational Description:
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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| La Crosse WI-MN MSA | 180 | 32 | $39.63/hr | $1.82/hr | $25.40/hr | $33.46/hr | $39.88/hr | $46.65/hr | $51.54/hr |
| Minnesota | 4,670 | 425 | $40.94/hr | $0.49/hr | $32.26/hr | $35.43/hr | $41.10/hr | $46.75/hr | $50.22/hr |
| U S | 233,350 | 2,567 | $43.80/hr | $0.13/hr | $30.18/hr | $35.92/hr | $43.45/hr | $50.62/hr | $60.59/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Respiratory Therapists | 120 | $30.97/hr | N/A |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 100 | $19.41/hr | N/A |
| Athletic Trainers | 60 | $54,398/yr | N/A |
Tasks for Physical Therapists
- Administers manual exercises to improve and maintain function.
- Administers massage, applying knowledge of massage techniques and body physiology.
- Instructs, motivates, and assists patient to perform various physical activities and use supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
- Administers traction to relieve pain, using traction equipment.
- Records treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enters information into computer.
- Confers with medical practitioners to obtain additional information, suggest revisions in treatment, and integrate physical therapy into patient's care.
- Evaluates, fits, and adjusts prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommends modification to orthotist.
- Instructs patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- Plans and prepares written treatment program based on evaluation of patient data.
- Reviews physician's referral and patient's condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required.
- Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency and records data.
- Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Administers treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines.
