Physical therapist

The physiotherapist designs, draws up and implements therapeutic activities with curative purposes, based on physiotherapy, to achieve improvements in the recovery processes and physical rehabilitation of persons expresssing pathologies. These activities may be specific or complementary, within the framework of a more generic health or medical programme. The purpose of physiotherapy is the prevention, promotion, maintenance and recovery of a person's physical functionality through manual, physical and chemical means. Essentially treats traumatological, cardio-respiratory, neurological and rheumatological diseases.

• Draw up a case history of the person or interpret his/her diagnosis to establish which programme to follow and where to focus patient treatment sessions.
  Examine the patient and diagnose his/her problems if these appear to be mild.
  For severe pathologies (injuries, traumas, paralysis, etc.), interpret the physician's diagnosis and treatment.
  Conduct an in-depth interview of the patient to determine all internal and external factors relating to the causes of the manifest disorders or problems.
  Compile and interpret information provided by biological and radiological examinations and other types of paraclinical examinations.
  Carry out manual palpation tests on ailing parts of the body.
  If a physician, assess the efficacy of other treatments previously followed by the patient in the treatment of the malfunctions or pathologies at hand.
  On the basis of the body of symptoms expressed, identify and determine causal factors in accordance with the principles of physiotherapy.
• Devise, either single-handedly or together with other professionals, a customised treatment and rehabilitation therapy according to the medical diagnosis and treatment to be followed.
  Schedule rehabilitation sessions according to improvement objectives, and decide on a work plan with the user or other professionals.
  Prescribe a physiotherapy treatment according to the technique to be employed (manual and physical or chemical).
  Provide information on the principles of physiotherapy, the selected technique and any other tools used during the sessions.
  Record the assessment of user improvement processes in a report or file after each treatment session.
• Carry out treatment sessions applying the working methods of physiotherapy.
  Provide information regarding the characteristics of the therapy session and the functionality of each manipulation.
  Advise the user on postural and health habits and prescribe maintenance exercises.
• Carry out a clinical follow-up of the users' progress.
  Modify the original treatment plan and introduce innovations according to session results.
• Look after and ensure the optimal maintenance, cleanliness and hygiene of all therapeutic tools and instruments, and any equipment used in the work sessions and facilities.
  Carry out any disinfection and sterilisation work typically required for the work tools and material equipment employed.
• Provide specialised and advanced training on any novelites arising in his/her sector of activity.

Regulated training and graduates

• Grau: Fisioteràpia

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Analytical thought: Level 3

Customer orientation: Level 2

Empathy: Level 2

Planning and organisation: Level 2

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 2

Healthcare

Working to maintain and improve health, as well as physical and mental well-being, is the primary interest of people who are involved in the field of healthcare. Some of the activities in this field include making diagnoses, prescribing treatments and monitoring illnesses and injuries. These activities also include the application of therapeutic treatments (traditional or alternative) with a view to facilitating the physical recovery of those being treated. To carry out these activities, one must have in-depth knowledge of the human body and medicine, in its various specialisations.

Osteopath

Palliative care specialist

Homeopath

Natural therapeutic specialist

Speech therapist

• Work hours

  Around 40 work hours a week. Usually split-shift, morning or afternoon, or intensive morning schedule.

• Salary

  Salaries range between 14.648 and 20.534 Euros gross per annum, depending on qualifications. Median: 17.344 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician

• Human resources and equipment

  Purchase or rental of a workspace set up to hold sessions.

• Initial investments

  Surgical and health-related infrastructures and equipment.