Occupational Profiles

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
• Provide advice on exercise and strategies to implement at home to enhance and or maintain treatment
• 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.

• A university degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training are required.
• Physical rehabilitation therapists, who are only found in Quebec, require completion of a 3 year college program.
• A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
• Completion of a physiotherapist competency examination is required in all provinces and territories.