3142 Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists assess patients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in patients. Physiotherapists are employed in hospitals, clinics, industry, sports organizations, rehabilitation centres and extended care facilities, or they may work in private practice.

Main duties

Physiotherapists perform some or all of the following duties:

• Assess patients' physical abilities through evaluative procedures such as functional ability tests
• Establish treatment goals with patients based on physical diagnoses
• Plan and implement programs of physiotherapy including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, the use of electro-therapeutic and other mechanical equipment and hydro-therapy
• Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans and modify accordingly
• Communicate with referring physician and other healthcare professionals regarding patients' problems, needs and progress
• Maintain clinical and statistical records and confer with other health care professionals
• Develop and implement health promotion programs for patients, staff and the community
• May conduct research in physiotherapy
• May provide consulting or education services.
• Physiotherapists may focus their practice in particular clinical areas such as neurology, oncology, rheumatology, orthopedics, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disorders, burns or sports injuries or in the field of ergonomics.

Employment 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.

Example Titles

• clinical co-ordinator, physical therapy
• clinical co-ordinator, physiotherapy
• clinical physical therapist
• clinical physiotherapist
• consultant physical therapist
• consultant physiotherapist
• physical rehabilitation therapist
• physical therapist
• physical therapist, research
• physical therapy clinical co-ordinator
• physical therapy clinical specialist
• physical therapy officer – military
• physical therapy supervisor
• physiotherapist
• physiotherapist, research
• physiotherapy clinical co-ordinator
• physiotherapy supervisor
• registered physical therapist
• registered physiotherapist
• research physical therapist
• research physiotherapist
• supervisor, physical therapy
• supervisor, physiotherapy
• therapist, physical rehabilitation