HSAS Blue / Green Campaign Television Commercial
What Is Your job Title?
Physical Therapist
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
A Physical Therapist will: teach you how aid your preemie’s development, help you keep your lungs clear of secretions if you require a ventilator to breathe, maximize your function after a stroke or spinal cord injury, teach you how to use your prosthetic leg, provide education on fall risk prevention, help you regain strength and movement after hip, knee or back surgery, control your arm swelling after a mastectomy, help you manage your chronic condition in your home or Long Term care, or assist your recovery from a work or sports injury.
What Training Is Necessary to Do Your Work?
Physical Therapists are educated in an accredited University. Saskatchewan’s program is in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan. Candidates require an undergraduate degree, and receive a Masters of Physical Therapy upon completion of the program. Their education includes academic classes, as well as varied practical experience under the supervision of Physical Therapists in hospitals, clinics and the community across Saskatchewan, or beyond. Physical Therapists are licensed by the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists, and practice under the Physical Therapists Act. In order for graduates to be licensed, successful passing of a national exam is required.
Where Do You Work?
You will often find Physical Therapists in rehabilitation facilities and hospitals providing inpatient and outpatient services, in the community, in clients’ homes and in long term care.
Who Needs Your Services and Why?
When you need our services, you usually have experienced a life changing event, such as surgery on your knee or a stroke.
What Is Your Favourite Part of Your Job?
The best part of our job is assisting clients (and their families) to return to their normal life, or helping them adapt to a new normal when necessary.
What Are the Consequences When There Are Not Enough People with Your Training to Provide Service?
Clients may receive less service than they deserve and waiting lists and time for services grow.
For a woman who has just had a mastectomy, waiting for Physical Therapy could mean her radiation treatments are delayed because of limited movement in her shoulder, or post operative arm swelling could become chronic.