Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who utilise exercises and other therapeutic techniques to help patients recover from illnesses and injuries. Physical therapists need a variety of talents to do their jobs well, including understanding of treatments, communication, and physical stamina. Knowing how their talents are used in the workplace and how to enhance them can be useful if you want to pursue a career in this field.
In this article, we explore physical therapist skills, discuss 11 important skills, look at how you can improve and use them in the workplace and share some tips to highlight these skills during the hiring process.
What Are Physical Therapist Skills?
Physical therapist skills allow these professionals to work with people who are ill or injured to help them improve their conditions through physical exercises and techniques. They work with a wide range of conditions, including those affecting the body’s nervous, musculoskeletal and integumentary systems. They learn some skills on the job or through formal degree courses, while others often require more dedication and time to learn. For example, physical stamina can develop via exercise and practice, whereas compassion may come naturally to certain individuals.
11 Important Physical Therapist Skills
Here are 11 important skills required to be effective and successful in a physical therapist role:
1. Communication
Physical therapists are in regular communication with patients and other members of the medical team. They require effectively expressing information, such as conducting specific at-home exercises and educating family members on how to assist patients in their recoveries. Active listening, verbal and written communication, nonverbal communication and clearly speaking are necessary for physical therapists.
2. Physical stamina
Physical therapists work on their feet for most of the day, completing tasks that require skill and stamina. They also use their hands to massage patients and arrange equipment for their usage. Physical therapists often require physical stamina in the following situations:
- Explaining and demonstrating various exercises to patients
- Setting up equipment for patient use
- Performing massages on patients
- Applying pressure to certain areas of patients’ bodies
3. Interpersonal skills
Being an effective physical therapist requires excellent interpersonal skills. Physical therapists establish and maintain connections and trust with patients as they assist them in completing difficult exercises`. These professionals also require cheerful attitudes when working with patients, as many patients suffer from serious ailments that cause discomfort and difficulties in executing certain movements. They also use interpersonal skills to maintain a positive attitude, keep patients engaged and motivated and show genuine care and concern.
4. Attention to detail
Physical therapists require taking extensive notes on their patient’s problems during a physical therapy session. Often the therapies they perform are precise and observing even the minor progress can help physical therapists determine if the treatment is working. They require being meticulous in maintaining track of the patient’s condition and making adjustments to ensure progress in the right direction.
5. Compassion
Physical therapists often work with patients in difficult emotional and physical situations. To understand how their patients are experiencing and reacting to treatment, physicians require the ability to empathise with them. Professionals who can empathise with their patients can better relate to them, make them feel cared for or heard and easily convince them to follow through with the therapies that can help their health improve.
6. Time management
Physical therapists require excellent time management abilities to be effective in their jobs. They frequently have multiple appointments per day. During these appointments, these professionals are responsible for handling numerous tasks at once, such as documenting the patients’ conditions, monitoring their healing progress, gathering the necessary paperwork for patients and determining treatment plans or diagnoses according to patients’ symptoms.
7. Treatment planning
Creating and implementing treatment plans based on each patient’s condition and needs is an important part of a physical therapist’s job. They assess patients, conduct thorough physical therapy examinations and establish individualised treatment plans based on their findings. They may also change treatment plans frequently to account for patient improvement or setbacks.
8. Multitasking
Many physical therapists often work on multiple activities at once, such as instructing patients on specific exercises, altering equipment settings and assessing the patients’ responses to the exercise. They may also assist many patients simultaneously and work with little to no supervision. Multitasking abilities help these professionals to monitor and prioritise their responsibilities while providing their patients with the care and attention they require.
9. Leadership
Even if you are not in a leadership position as a physical therapist, having leadership qualities is essential for such roles. Physical therapists with good leadership abilities can easily motivate their patients without micromanaging them, develop strong relationships with patients, delegate duties and collaborate with medical teams. As many physical therapists operate independently with little supervision from a supervisor or employer, they require being self-motivated, which is a component of good leadership qualities.
10. Equipment understanding
Physical therapists frequently use a range of equipment in their everyday practice and require an understanding of how to set up, operate and maintain them. Ramps, resistance training bands, electrotherapy, ultrasonography, hydrotherapy and various gym equipment are examples of physical therapy items. Some physical therapists also use virtual reality equipment to stimulate specific muscles, add a creative element to physical therapy and stimulate the brain.
11. Observation
Physical therapists require excellent observation skills to diagnose and treat the exact health conditions. They require keeping a careful eye on patients to ensure the best treatments. They also assess patients’ reactions to various exercises to decide if they are too physically challenging and ensure their progress with the specific treatment.
Tips To Improve Physical Therapist Skills
Following are a few tips you can consider for improving your skills for a physical therapist role:
- Work under a mentor. Physical therapists can benefit from mentors who can provide them with advice, support and feedback and teach them the skills they may require to succeed in their field.
- Take part in continuing education. After you get your degree, try to continue your education as a physical therapist. Specific training courses and certifications are a great way to develop your skills while staying updated on the latest trends and technologies.
- Exercise: Physical therapists require physical stamina to complete their everyday jobs, so it is critical to follow an exercise routine. Create a regular workout routine that focuses on working the muscles that physical therapists use the most, such as leg and arm muscles.
Demonstrating your skills as a physical therapist in the workplace
Here are a few ways to demonstrate your physical therapy skills in the workplace:
Creating a schedule
Physical therapists often multitask and work with multiple patients on a single day. It is critical for them to develop and stick to a timetable. Determine the tasks that are the most important and place them at the top of your to-do list. Make time for your patient appointments and a few minutes after each one to fill out paperwork and track patient progress.
Practising empathy
Empathy can be a wonderful method to display outstanding physical therapist qualities in many aspects of your career. Give each patient your undivided attention and try to understand how they feel. Try to focus on how they react and respond to treatment. You can use this information to revise future treatment plans according to the patient’s needs and preferences.
Being self-motivated
Excellent physical therapists are self-motivated, as most of them receive little direction from supervisors during the day. You can set daily goals for yourself and work towards them until you achieve them. Track your tasks and ensure they are all finished before leaving for the day. Take the initiative and strive to see problems as opportunities for progress.
How to Highlight Your Physical Therapist Skills
Following are some effective ways to highlight your physical therapist skills throughout the hiring process:
In the resume and cover letter
You can highlight your physical therapy skills on your resume and cover letter to help you appear more attractive than most other candidates. Create a skills section on your resume and add your skills directly related to the position. Analyse the job posting for any skills-related keywords mentioned and include the applicable ones in your resume. In the experience section, include examples of each talent as part of your accomplishments in past roles.
Choose one or two physical therapy skills to mention in the body of your cover letter. Give an example of how you have used each skill in your past job.
In a job interview
A job interview is another chance to demonstrate your physical therapy abilities. Many hiring managers may ask you questions about your physical therapy skills and experience. Be prepared with specific instances of how you have used your skills in the past. You can also include any skills that the interviewer has not mentioned but can still benefit the job.
During the interview, you can also demonstrate soft physical therapy abilities, such as communication and interpersonal skills. Active listening is a good habit to get into, speaking clearly and concisely. Maintain eye contact, decent posture and stay interested while the other person is saying to demonstrate soft skills.