Top Traits of a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists, also known as PTs, are health care professionals who help patients -- most of whom are either accident victims or have disabling conditions -- by providing services that reduce pain, restore function, improve mobility, and prevent or control permanent physical disabilities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total employment figure of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, which means that job opportunities in the field should be great.

For those looking to break into the field, as well as those in the field attempting to improve their services, here are six of the most important traits for physical therapists:

1)      Hold your patient accountable. "One of the most important traits a physical therapist can possess is to hold the patient accountable for each task and to reach a little bit higher with each ensuing task," said Mark Palmer, a traumatic brain injury survivor who has also had years of physical therapy experience due to shoulder and back surgeries. "It's crucial that physical therapists demand that their patient be as connected to the process as they are."

2)      Make therapy fun. "As a specialist in physical therapy, not only do you need to be a skilled and knowledgeable clinician, but you also need to be able to adapt quickly, think fast and make therapy fun," said Michael Workman, a pediatric physical therapist. "The activities I choose to do with my patients can make the physical work less of a struggle if it is entertaining for them."

3)      Be knowledgeable. "Physical therapists should have a solid scientific and clinical background and know why they do what they do, not just how," said Wendie Howland, a registered nurse who works alongside physical therapists. "They should also know how to communicate this in words the patient can understand and assimilate."

4)      Be able to adjust your personality. "Physical therapists must be able to adjust their personality to fit their audience on an hourly basis," said Chris Keating, a physical therapist. "We must be chameleons. We see patients with all different types of personalities and comfort levels. Patients get better when they go to therapy, and they go to therapy when they are comfortable [with] their PT."

5)      Be a problem solver. "It's important for physical therapists to be good problem solvers," said Deb Lavender, who has spent years working with orthopedic patients in many different settings. "Physical therapists must be able to create solutions to the problem the patient has, even if they have never done the given technique before."

6)      Build relationships with your patients. "Therapists must understand that building relationships with their patients is an important factor in ensuring that the patients follow through with the programs we are building for them," said Mae Knowles, who works in media relations at a hospital in Wisconsin. "It gives our patients their best outcomes. If they understand what we're doing and why we are doing it, and they have confidence in what we are telling them, they are much more likely to meet their goal, which makes the patient and the therapist happy."