29-1123.00 · Task explorer
Physical Therapists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
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.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 24 tasks, including 23 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2020.
24 tasks shown
Core · Task 363 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
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.
Core · Task 364 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
Core · Task 370 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
Core · Task 367 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
Core · Task 365 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
Core · Task 368 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
Core · Task 366 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
Core · Task 371 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
Core · Task 373 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
Core · Task 377 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.
Core · Task 369 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.
Core · Task 374 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
Core · Task 375 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.
Core · Task 381 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.
Core · Task 20407 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.
Core · Task 372 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
Core · Task 378 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.
Core · Task 382 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Refer clients to community resources or services.
Core · Task 385 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.
Core · Task 380 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.
Core · Task 379 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Teach physical therapy students or those in other health professions.
Core · Task 383 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.
Core · Task 384 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.
Supplemental · Task 386 · 08/2020 · Incumbent
Direct group rehabilitation activities.
Make the shortlist useful
- Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
- For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
- Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.
The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.