What skills does a physiotherapist need?

A physiotherapist needs 87 essential skills including orthopaedic manual physiotherapy, medical terminology, emergency surgery, orthopaedics, general medicine. Core competencies include Customer Orientation, Communication, Problem Solving.

Will AI replace physiotherapist jobs?

The AI disruption score for physiotherapist is 14/100 (very low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2264

physiotherapist

Physiotherapists are autonomous health professionals who are responsible for developing, maintaining or restoring motor function and movement throughout the lifespan using evidence-based practice. They relieve pain and treat or prevent physical conditions associated with injury, disease or other impairments. Physiotherapists empower patients and their carers to manage the condition outside clinical settings. They work within their scope of practice and their professional Code of Conduct.

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

Customer OrientationAdvanced

Supporting Skills

CommunicationIntermediate

Problem SolvingIntermediate

AdaptabilityIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (87)

orthopaedic manual physiotherapyorthopaedic manual physiotherapyA specialised area of physiotherapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and ther...medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.emergency surgeryemergency surgeryThe characteristics and methods of a surgical intervention performed in emergency cases.orthopaedicsorthopaedicsOrthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.general medicinegeneral medicineGeneral medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.surgerysurgeryThe essential procedures in surgical practice such as the principle of safe surgery, the pathophysiology of wound healing, knot tying, tissue handling, retraction and any other instruments and procedu...human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.geriatricsgeriatricsGeriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.kineticskineticsThe study of movement and its causes.neurologyneurologyNeurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.obstetrics and gynaecologyobstetrics and gynaecologyObstetrics and gynaecology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.paediatricspaediatricsPaediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.rehabilitationrehabilitationThe methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.biomechanicsbiomechanicsThe use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.therapeutic massagetherapeutic massageMassage techniques used to relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms associated with a number of different medical conditions.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...manage healthcare staffmanage healthcare staffThe managerial tasks and responsibilities required in a health care setting.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.respiratory therapyrespiratory therapyTreatment focused on the management of the airways in various medical conditions or situations such as emergency or trauma.intensive care medicineintensive care medicineMedical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.psychiatrypsychiatryPsychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.contribute to quality physiotherapy servicescontribute to quality physiotherapy servicesParticipate in activities that promote quality, particularly in the acquisition and evaluation of equipment, resources, safe storage and supply management.create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.manage a healthcare unit budgetmanage a healthcare unit budgetManage a healthcare unit budget. Collaborate in budget planning processes including cost of supplies needed for adequate health services and management.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.adjust physiotherapy interventionsadjust physiotherapy interventionsAdjust physiotherapy interventions based on re-evaluation of the client`s response to treatment.employ cognitive behaviour treatment techniquesemploy cognitive behaviour treatment techniquesEmploy cognitive behavioural treatment techniques for those whose treatment involves cognitive re-training, addressing dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviours and cognitive processes and conten...manage physiotherapy staffmanage physiotherapy staffRecruit, train, manage, develop and supervise physiotherapy staff where appropriate, ensuring provision of a clinically effective service to clients, recognising the need for further training both for...develop strategic plans for physiotherapy servicesdevelop strategic plans for physiotherapy servicesContribute to the development of systems, policies and procedures for the provision of physiotherapy services, sharing knowledge and contributing to internal and external learning opportunities.promote health and safety policies in health servicespromote health and safety policies in health servicesPromote adherence to local, regional, national and EU Health and Safety legislation, policies, guidelines and protocols.provide physiotherapy diagnosisprovide physiotherapy diagnosisProvide a physiotherapy diagnosis/clinical impression of the client`s condition, working with the client to identify impairments, activity and participation limitations resulting from illness, injury ...manage clinical riskmanage clinical riskImprove the quality and safe delivery of healthcare, placing special emphasis on identifying those circumstances that place clients, their families and carers, staff, students and others at risk of ha...use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...triage clients for physiotherapytriage clients for physiotherapyTriage clients for physiotherapy, prioritising their assessment and indicating where additional services are required.record healthcare users' progress related to treatmentrecord healthcare users' progress related to treatmentRecord the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.advocate healthadvocate healthAdvocate for health promotion, well-being and disease or injury prevention on behalf of clients and the profession to enhance community, public and population health.measure effectiveness of the service providedmeasure effectiveness of the service providedUse a problem-solving approach to develop and measure recommendations for improving the quality of professional practice in increasingly unpredictable contexts, contributing to change and development ...use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.develop physiotherapy servicesdevelop physiotherapy servicesDevelop a safe, effective and efficient quality physiotherapy service.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.provide self management supportprovide self management supportProvide evidence-based information and strategies on self management to the client.prescribe healthcare productsprescribe healthcare productsPrescribe healthcare products, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and with...contribute to the rehabilitation processcontribute to the rehabilitation processContribute to the rehabilitation process to enhance activity, functioning and participation using a person-centered and evidence-based approach.adhere to health well-being and safetyadhere to health well-being and safetyComply with and apply the main points of health well-being and safety policy and procedures, in accordance with employer's policies. Report health and safety risks that have been identified and follow...provide information on the effects of physiotherapyprovide information on the effects of physiotherapyProvide information on therapeutic outcomes and any inherent risks to the client making sure he/she understands, acting in accordance with ethical principles and local/national policies where the clie...communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.develop therapeutic relationshipsdevelop therapeutic relationshipsMaintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the p...provide learning support in healthcareprovide learning support in healthcareProvide the necessary support to facilitate learning for clients, carers, students, peers, support workers and other healthcare practitioners by assessing the learner`s development needs and preferenc...collect healthcare user's general datacollect healthcare user's general dataCollect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's anagraphic data and provide support on filling out the present and past history questionnaire and record the measures/tests p...provide stroke rehabilitation servicesprovide stroke rehabilitation servicesProvide services to patients who have suffered from stroke, helping them relearn skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...supervise physiotherapist assistantssupervise physiotherapist assistantsSupervise and provide learning opportunities for physiotherapist assistants.conduct physiotherapy assessmentconduct physiotherapy assessmentUndertake physiotherapy assessment, incorporating data collected from subjective, physical examinations and information derived from other relevant sources, maintaining clients` safety, comfort and di...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.correct potentially harmful movementscorrect potentially harmful movementsRecognise when a particpant performs a movement that could cause short or long term damage to the body. Respond with verbal instructions and/or physical demonstration to ensure competence is achieved.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.develop plans related to the transfer of caredevelop plans related to the transfer of careOrganise transfer of care, when applicable, across a range of healthcare settings, communicating effectively and ensuring that the patient/client and carers are involved in the decision making process...promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...supervise physiotherapy studentssupervise physiotherapy studentsSupervise, educate and provide learning opportunities for physiotherapy students.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...interpret medical resultsinterpret medical resultsInterpret, integrate and apply results of diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests and other investigations as part of the assessment of the client, in consultation with other healthcare practitioners.engage in physiotherapy researchengage in physiotherapy researchUndertake different levels of engagement in research activities to improve the quality of, and evidence base for, physiotherapy.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...develop plans related to client dischargedevelop plans related to client dischargeOrganise discharge planning, when applicable, across a range of healthcare settings, communicating effectively and ensuring that the client and carers are involved in the decision making process.refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.maintain physiotherapy equipmentmaintain physiotherapy equipmentMaintain the physiotherapy equipment and supplies, ensuring that equipment is safe and fit for purpose.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.formulate a treatment planformulate a treatment planFormulate a treatment plan and evaluation (analysis) based on collected data following assessment using a clinical reasoning process.

Optional (8)

sport and exercise medicinesport and exercise medicinePrevention and treatement of injuries or conditions resulted from a physical activity or sport.hydrotherapyhydrotherapyThe practice used to treat diseases or maintain overall health using water.analyse personal fitness informationanalyse personal fitness informationCarry out fitness assessments to establish fitness and skill level and analyse information relating to individual clients.apply acupunctureapply acupunctureUse procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical...prescribe medicationprescribe medicationPrescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope...use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.apply massage therapyapply massage therapyApply massage therapy to relieve patient's pain by using various specialised techniques.