Physical Therapist

Favourite

Overview

Add to Portfolio

Workplace

Outlook

Share

Requirements

90% 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

90%
Match

Related Occupations

Exercise Physiologist

University

Learn More

Learn More

Related Videos

Learn More

Physical Therapists

Physical Therapist

Meet Janette Scardillo,

Assess, plan, organize, and

Physical Therapists Career Profile

Lieutenant Mike Marmolejo...

participate in rehabilitative...

Assess, plan, organize, and

participate in rehabilitative...

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

Bachelor of Physical
Education and...

Bachelor of Science Health Science

Recreation and Health

Education (Co-op)

Douglas College

Mount Royal University

University of Victoria

Career Spectrum

Interests

Your Interest Type is

This occupation is a

THE SHEPHERD (SA)

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Social

Occupation Results

Investigative
73%

44%

100%

78%

Artistic

Realistic
44%

31%

22%

56%

Enterprising

Conventional
29%

27%

28%

33%

Knowledge

Your top subject area is

This occupation is a

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

GOOD MATCH

Match Results
Physical Education

Your Results

Science

Occupation Results

89%

56%

64%

43%

Technical & Trades

Business
44%

39%

26%

39%

Creative Arts

Computers
39%

33%

31%

35%

Languages

Social Science
33%

28%

29%

55%

Mathematics

English
28%

28%

29%

28%

Motivations

Your top motivation factor is

This occupation is a

RELATIONSHIPS

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Relationships

Occupation Results

Achievement
69%

67%

95%

78%

Independence

Working Conditions
64%

61%

72%

72%

Support

Recognition
56%

33%

61%

78%

Compatibility
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.

Somewhat

Just a bit

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

Definitely

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.

Definitely

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

Definitely

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

Somewhat

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

implement, or assess the intervention program.

Somewhat

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

patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

Definitely

Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals

findings outside physical therapy.

Definitely

Resources

Related Occupations

Exercise Physiologist

Audiologist

Veterinarian

Exercise physiologists

Audiologists diagnose and

Care for the health of

develop fitness and exercise

treat a patients hearing and

animals and work to

programs that help patients

balance problems, using...

improve public health.

recover...

Job Search

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

Physiotherapy Aide (PTA) - Grande Prairie (Part Time)

Centric Health

The Lifemark Health Centre - Grande Prairie is seeking a Physiotherapy Aide for the part time hours
of 8am - 12pm, Monday - Friday. As a Physiotherapy Aide at Centric Health, you are an important
member of our clinical team. You are...

Nov 05, 2015

Physical Therapist II
Grit Program
Permanent PartTime Physical Therapist II Position Getting Ready for Inclusion Today: The GRIT
Program is a dynamic, ... and foster independence. About the Position: The Physical Therapist II
position is 1517 hours per week,...

Nov 17, 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

Disclaimer
We work hard to ensure the information on this page is up-to-date. However, myBlueprint will not be
liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice any errors or would like to
share your feedback.