While a physical therapist (PT) can be an invaluable member of a health care team, not all PTs are of the same caliber. If you are a skilled nursing facility, health care facility or outpatient clinic who is looking to hire a physical therapist, you may be wondering how to find the right PT? What attributes and qualities should a physical therapist exhibit? Where can you find a qualified applicant? What are the benefits of seeking help from a seasoned health care staffing specialist?
Basic Attributes You Want in a Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are some of the most sought-after professionals in the health industry. This may be due in part to patients longing for and actively pursuing the tailor-made, hands-on care offered through physical therapy services. Physical therapy allows patients to choose a natural approach, and in some instances, avoid major surgery or debilitating injuries. A skilled PT can aid a person's recovery, assist in rehabilitation, allow for improved mobility and improve overall quality of life.
Due to the one-on-one care physical therapists are required to provide, some of the basic attributes and qualities you'll want in a physical therapist include:
- Competence
- Responsibility
- Confidence
- Heightened observational skills
- Empathy, compassion and support
- Resilience
- Good communication
- Passion for the job
- Sociable
- Ability to educate patients on their own self care
- Physical dexterity
Determining Your Exact Needs
>Before you go out in search of a physical therapist on your own, it is important you determine your facility's exact needs. While all PTs are required to complete an accredited Physical Therapy Training Program, pass the national exam, and meet the licensing requirements of the PT board in the state where they plan to practice, specialty certifications are available.
According to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, physical therapists can obtain specialist certification in these eight areas:
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Orthopaedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Women's Health
Benefits of Contracting an Experienced Health Care Staffing Specialist
Finding a qualified physical therapist for your health care facility is not always a simple task. In fact, it is not uncommon for an employer spend hours upon hours scouring hiring sites, posting to job boards and sifting through volume of applications to try and fill one position. Often times PT jobs go unfilled as the time and effort required is just too much.
Fortunately, The People Link is a professional recruitment service who specialize in finding and placing qualified health care candidates across the country. We have over 20 year experience and a very high retention rate at 98%. It doesn't matter where in the U.S. your business is located, or the position you are trying to fill, we are committed to helping you get the results you seek.
To find out more about our current services, please visit our website or call 818-890-9998 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you find the right physical therapist!