“My first experience with physical therapy was as a patient in middle school when I tore my ACL and had to go for several months. Having been through that process myself, I feel like I can put myself in my patient’s shoes and help them understand the process better. Being a PT has been great as it allows me to put to use my love of human anatomy combined with customer service. I see a wide variety of patients from young athletes trying to get back in action quickly to older patients who need help for some of their more chronic conditions.”

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Job Description

SOC Code: 29-1123

Physical Therapists assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility,
relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Leadership development
• Customer service
• Relieve pain
• Restore function
• Discharge planning

General Work Activities:

• Mental Processes
  • Develop medical treatment plans
  • Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals
  • Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments
• Interacting With Others
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan and/or provide treatment
  • Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses
  • Treat patients using physical therapy techniques
  • Process healthcare paperwork
  • Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members
• Work Output
  • Record patient medical histories
  • Enter patient data into computers

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

Job Statistics

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

• Pee Dee
• Midlands
• Trident
• Lowcountry
• Waccamaw
• Santee-Lynches

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• Upstream Rehabilitation Inc.
• Fox Rehabilitation
• ATI Physical Therapy
• Prisma Health
• Career Tree Network
• LHC Group, Inc.

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Occupational Therapists
•  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2024

Learn More With SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.