Health Care Careers Diagram and Summary Essay

What is a Physical Therapist do? Each of us has an important role in health care field whether a Pharmacist, Technician, Lab Scientist, Therapist, Nurses, Doctors, and other health care professionals. They have one purpose to provide the best quality of care to the patients with compassionate and respect. They are guided by the rules and guidelines set up by the state and federal government to maintain proper standards and update the techniques concerning healthcare delivery. Career Description. Physical therapists sometimes referred to as PTs, help people who have injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012). PT plays an important role in rehabilitation and gives treatment to the patients with chronic conditions or injuries. They diagnose the patients’ dysfunctional movements by watching them walk, stand, balance, coordination, strength, range of motion and many more. Physical therapists work as part of a healthcare team, overseeing the work of physical therapist assistants and aides and consulting with physicians and surgeons and other specialists (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012). They work in wellness-programs to encourage everyone for more active lifestyles. They also establish appropriate plan of care, depending on the patients condition whether it is a neurological case, orthopedic case, sports injury, pediatrics, geriatrics, sports, and others. Services Provided. Physical therapist services are wide range from acute care hospital, sub-acute care, skilled nursing facility, home health, and outpatient care. Their work varies with the type of patients they serve. Orthopedic/Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation is one of the services they provided, whereas they focus on all types of musculoskeletal conditions of the entire spine and extremities. Another one is Vestibular Rehabilitation, which is more on balance, dizziness, motion sensitivity, and vertigo rehab. Workforce roles within the services and products. The rehabilitation team is composed of a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant and rehabilitation aide. Usually physical therapist is the head of the team with at least a bachelors, doctorate, or masters’ degree in physical therapy. They do the initial evaluations and assessment of the patient upon admission. They also establish the care plan (long-term goals and short-term, as well as set up the treatment guidelines and parameters. The PTA’s job is to carry out the treatment following the plan care set by the therapist, unless the treatment requires a specialization by a PT for example, manual mobilization, myofascial release techniques, and many more. The rehab aide’s job is to help maintain the rehab facility or gym. They could also assist in treatments with direct supervision by PT. They could also help by doing aftercare after the PT or PTA works with the patient, or do desk jobs like scheduling patients, whereas no degree or license is required to work as a rehab aide. Impact of Physical therapist on the health care organizations. The therapist importance and influence on the health care system is very crucial, by doing therapy they help and guide the patients to return on their prior level of function and achieve their max potential. They also help prevent re-injury because of poor management of the healing process, by setting up the right exercises, depending on the patients level, stage of healing, and comorbidities that comes with the patient. Therapist also help by giving an alternative form of disease healing and pain management, for example a patient who has arthritic pain on B knees that has been dependent on strong pain medicine. Therapy can use physical agents and modalities, like heat, cold, ultrasound, and right amount of exercises to engage week muscles and promote improved mobility. Conclusion Health care providers have different roles in health care industry. Each of them has a special purpose on how to give a better treatment, care, and diagnosis to the patients. Through proper education and training, they will be able to provide what the patients needs. Health care professionals have one goal, which is to make the patient better and help them live a quality and healthy life. Appendix A: Figure 1 – Diagram of Physical Therapist roles and functions in the health care community. Figure 1 describe as the role of MD, PT, PTA, and rehab aide with regard to patient care. First the referring MD makes the prescription for the patient to be admitted to physical therapy. The physical therapist checks the prescription initiate evaluation, assessment, and establish plan of care. The PT could proceed with the treatment himself or pass to the PTA. The PTA’s job is to initiate the treatment program following the goals and treatment parameters set up by the PT. Rehab aide assist the PT or PTA during treatment and helps with scheduling patient visits as well as monitor insurance coverage for the patient. References Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012, April 6). What Physical Therapists Do. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Physical-therapists.htm#tab-2 PT1. (2013). Physical Therapy One. Retrieved from http://www.physicaltherapyone.net/services