Physical Therapist

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Overview

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Requirements

76% Match

Career Spectrum

Resources

Overview

Description
Physical therapists (PTs) are expected to review a patient's medical history as well as any
referrals or notes from doctors or surgeons. They will diagnose a patient's dysfunctional
movements through observation and listening to their concerns. They will then issue a
treatment for patients by using exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy and
specialized equipment to ease a patient's issues. They will progressively monitor a client's
recovery process and will offer advice.
Sample Job Titles: Home Care Physical Therapist, Registered Physical Therapist,
Rehabilitation Services Director

Provincial Outlook

Estimated Salary

$31,238 - $118,565
Learn More

Education Level
Secondary School
On-the-job Training
College/Apprenticeship

Learn More

Compatibility

76%
Match

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University

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Workplace

Work Environment
Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, and nursing
homes; they spend much of their time on their feet, working with patients. Because they
must often lift and move patients, they are vulnerable to back injuries. Therapists can limit
these risks by using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when assisting patients.

Main Duties

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

maximum benefit.
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.
Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory
perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks
and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.
Release patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been
attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.
Meet with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement,
or assess the intervention program.
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase
patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings
outside physical therapy.

Important Skills

Compassion. Physical therapists are often drawn to the profession in part by a desire
to help people. They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for
their patients.
Detail oriented. Like other healthcare providers, physical therapists should have
strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patients problem, evaluate
treatments, and provide safe, effective care.
Dexterity. Physical therapists must use their hands to provide manual therapy and
therapeutic exercises. They should feel comfortable massaging and otherwise
physically assisting patients.
Interpersonal skills. Because physical therapists spend a lot of time interacting with
patients, they should enjoy working with people. They must be able to explain
treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients concerns to provide

effective therapy.
Physical stamina. Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, moving
as they work with patients. They should enjoy physical activity.
Resourcefulness. Physical therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They
must be flexible and able to adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient.

Career Cluster

This cluster involves the science of dealing with human and

animal health. planning and managing, and providing
therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics,
support services, research in biology and biotechnology and

Health Science

the development of these and related services. It involves the

study and research of health related topics and the
application of knowledge to improve health and prevent
disease.

Outlook

Job Outlook

Alberta

British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario
Prince Edward Island

Not Available

Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Not Available

Job Outlook based on NOC 3142 (Physiotherapists)

View Regional Data

Salary Ranges

Canada

$41,734 - $95,299

Alberta

$31,238 - $118,565

British Columbia

$52,167 - $100,328

Manitoba

$47,994 - $83,592

New Brunswick

$52,167 - $77,207

Newfoundland and Labrador

$53,502 - $84,531

Nova Scotia

$65,730 - $83,467

Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario

$41,734 - $92,294

Prince Edward Island

Not Available

Quebec

$35,474 - $83,467

Saskatchewan

$68,777 - $87,578

Yukon

Not Available

Salary Ranges are based on hourly rates for NOC 3142 (Physiotherapists) and an estimated 2086 hours per year

View Regional Data

Employment Growth

2012

61,845

2013

63,487

2014

64,951

2015

66,412

2016

67,771

2017

68,960

2018

70,159

2019

71,395

2020

72,472

2021

73,620

2022

74,816

Employment Growth based on Stats Canada Occupation Group 314

Requirements

Education Level

Secondary School

On-the-job Training

College/Apprenticeship

University

Requirements

A university degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training are

required.
A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required to practise physiotherapy in
all provinces.
Completion of the Physiotherapy National Exam, administered by the Alliance of
Physiotherapy Regulatory Boards, may be required.

Subject Areas

Physical Education

Science

Related Programs

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Career Spectrum

Kinesiology
Acadia University

Interests

Your Interest Type is

This occupation is a

THE SENSEI (IS)

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Investigative

Occupation Results

Social
67%

60%

78%

100%

Conventional

Realistic
33%

31%

33%

56%

Enterprising

Artistic
17%

17%

28%

22%

Knowledge

Your top subject area is

This occupation is a

SCIENCE

GOOD MATCH

Match Results
Science

Your Results

Physical Education

Occupation Results

78%

72%

43%

64%

Social Science

Languages
67%

39%

55%

29%

English

Business
33%

28%

28%

39%

Computers

Mathematics
22%

22%

35%

29%

Creative Arts

Technical & Trades

17%

17%

31%

26%

Motivations

Your top motivation factor is

This occupation is a

ACHIEVEMENT

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Achievement

Occupation Results

Relationships
86%

75%

78%

95%

Support

Working Conditions
67%

61%

61%

72%

Independence

Recognition
39%

22%

72%

78%

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

Just a bit

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.

Maybe not

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

Somewhat

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

Definitely

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

Somewhat

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

Maybe not

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

Definitely

Meet with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan,

implement, or assess the intervention program.

Just a bit

Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase

patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

Just a bit

Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals

findings outside physical therapy.

Resources

Definitely

Related Occupations

Ophthalmologist

Rehabilitation Doctor

Registered Nurse

Ophthamologists diagnose,

Rehabilitation doctors

Provide care for the sick and

treat, and help prevent

diagnose and treat

injured.

diseases and injuries of the...

disorders requiring
physiotherapy to...

Job Search

Physical Therapist I
St. Mary's Hospital Camrose
of the multi-disciplinary health care team, the Physical Therapist I, Inpatient Service is responsible
for: providing ... Minimum three (3) years of recent experience in a Physical Therapist capacity
required Current licecsing and...

Nov 29, 2015

Physical Therapist
U.S. Navy

to physical therapists) Letter of recommendation from a physical therapist currently serving in the
military ... with Navy Physical Therapists US Navy Healthcare Navy Physical Therapists can practice
physical therapy as they...

Nov 22, 2015

Physical Therapist I
Alberta Health Services
Physical Therapist I Requisition #: 366635 Union: HSAA Facility PROF/TECH Title Physiotherapist I
Department: Edm Com ... Clinic is seeking a Physical Therapist I to provide physical therapy, patient
assessment and treatment to...

Nov 27, 2015

Helpful Links
Ontario:
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
www.collegept.org
British Columbia:
College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia
www.cptbc.org
Alberta:
College of Physical Therapists of Alberta
www.cpta.ab.ca
Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists Postal Address
http://www.scpt.org/

Prince Edward Island:

Prince Edward Island College of Physiotherapists
www.physiotherapynb.ca/english/College.htm
New Brunswick:
College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick
www.cptnb.ca

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