Physiotherapists
NKPD code: 2264
Description
Physiotherapists carry out rehabilitation programmes prescribed by a specialist physician in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine that improve or restore human motor functions, increase mobility, relieve pain syndromes, and prevent injuries, trauma, diseases or disabilities. They apply a wide range of physiotherapy methods and techniques such as kinesitherapy, electrotherapy, heat therapy, hydrotherapy and light therapy. Physiotherapists perform the following main tasks: • conducting tests of muscles, joints and the body's functional capacity to assess the patient's physical problems; • setting goals and preparing patient programmes to reduce physical pain, strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore limb mobility and improve balance and coordination; • carrying out patient programmes and treatment using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infrared light therapy and ultrasound; • instructing patients and their families on how to carry out rehabilitation procedures in outpatient settings; • recording and storing information on the patient's health status and response to treatment and providing this data to other medical and health professionals where additional and comprehensive treatment is required; • developing and implementing, in agreement with a specialist physician, programmes for the control and prevention of common physical problems and disorders; • supervising the work of kinesitherapists and masseurs. Examples of occupations in this unit group: – Rehabilitation therapist – Rehabilitation therapist, resident (specialising) – Rehabilitation therapist, rehabilitation methods and treatment of children with cerebral palsy Excludes: – Occupational therapist – 2269 – Kinesitherapist – 3255 – Masseur – 3255