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Kinesiotherapist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA kinesiotherapist is trained academically and clinically to provide rehabilitative exercise and education as prescribed by a licensed physician in an appropriate environment. The exercise programs kinesiotherapists implement are designed to reverse or minimize debilitation brought about by injury, disease or age, and enhance the functional capacity of medically stable patients in a general health care, sub-acute or extended care setting. Kinesiotherapists apply scientifically based principals that have been adapted to enhance strength, endurance and mobility in patients who have functional limitations, and patients who require extended physical conditioning.
A kinesiotherapist is a health care professional who is skilled in the administration of neurological, musculoskeletal, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychosocial, and task-specific functional tests and measures. He or she makes decisions on the appropriate evaluation tools and the interventions necessary to establish, with the patient’s collaboration, a goal specific treatment plan.
The types of treatments used by kinesiotherapists include (among others) therapeutic exercise, geriatric rehabilitation, ambulation training, aquatic therapy, adapted fitness and conditioning, prosthetic/orthotic rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation, driver training, and adapted exercise for the home setting.
The kinesiotherapist’s job requires intelligence, sound judgment, honesty, patience, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to react to emergencies in a calm and reasonable manner. He or she must have an attitude of respect for the self and for others.
The kinesiotherapist must adhere to concepts of privilege and confidentiality when communicating with patients, and must be committed to the patient’s welfare. The rapport between the patient and the kinesiotherapist is based on education, instruction, demonstration, and scrutiny of therapeutic techniques and methods to restore, maintain and improve overall functional abilities.
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Career RequirementsKinesiotherapists must be dependable, resourceful, patient, tactful and able to work with other people. They must have an interest in the physical and mental well being of people. Applicants for a kinesiotherapy program at a post-secondary institution must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
The kinesiotherapy program is 4 to 5 years. It includes a comprehensive academic and clinical curriculum plan that fulfills or exceeds the minimum requirements for accreditation as a kinesiotherapist. All clinical and academic courses are guided by written measurable behavioral objectives. They use patient-centered, case-based, problem solving ideas. Upon completion of the course work, students must complete a 1000-hour clinical training internship.
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Job OutlookThere is currently a great demand for qualified kinesiotherapists due to a public that is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of physical exercise. The rate of job opportunities in this field will continue to grow as the population ages.
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Career TrackRegistered kinesiotherapists are employed in a great variety of settings. Of course, many work in medical centres, in physiotherapy clinics and in private and public hospitals. But these people also work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, in sports medical facilities, in rehabilitation facilities, in learning disability centres, in schools, colleges and universities, in clinics specializing in industrial fitness, and in therapeutic aquatic programs. Some kinesiotherapists go into private practice and hire out as exercise consultants.
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CompensationA kinesiotherapist’s salary varies according to the therapist’s experience, geographic location, and the employer. Starting salary is from $30,000 to $36,000 a year.
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