The physiotherapist is a specialist who treats various problems of the musculoskeletal system through movement. In fact, this is where the name of this profession comes from: from “kinetos,” which in Greek means movement, and the addition of the word “therapy,” resulting in therapy through movement.

The profession of physiotherapist is highly sought after today because the sedentary lifestyle caused by many jobs that involve working at a desk has led to an increase in cases of individuals with muscle and bone system problems.

Many young people looking to orient themselves in their careers, as well as some who wish to pursue a career change, wonder how they can become physiotherapists. To practice in this field, it is important to know that there are several pathways to working in this branch of medicine:

• by passing the licensing exam at the Faculty of Medicine;
• by passing the licensing exam at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport;
• by completing accredited physiotherapy courses.

However, with accreditation from the courses, a physiotherapist will not be able to work in state hospitals, but rather in clinics or salons that offer various services in the health and beauty industry. Once studies are completed, they must also obtain certification in the field from the College of Physiotherapists in Romania.

About the profession of physiotherapist, it is important to know that, in addition to the professional services they provide, they must also possess other skills and competencies. Although the job description may specify the duties of the therapist, their human qualities are what will help them carry out their work properly.

Often, the responsibilities of the physiotherapist will go beyond the scope of the therapies they offer, as they need to communicate with patients both before and after the services provided. These responsibilities largely depend on the setting in which they work. Thus, when working in a hospital, their roles may differ from those in a private clinic that offers additional services.

Responsibilities of a physiotherapist

What responsibilities does a physiotherapist have? Generally, they will:

• Assess the patients’ situation, from their current health status to their medical history, in order to understand the issues they face;
• Physically examine patients as part of the initial evaluation;
• Develop a personalized treatment plan for each individual patient;
• Implement the necessary therapies to address the patient’s problems;
• Monitor patients throughout the entire treatment process but may also perform other interventions when they need help or do not understand certain therapies;
• Adjust the treatment plan as necessary;
• Collaborate with patients even after therapy has ended by educating them about the behaviors they should adopt following treatment;
• Work with other specialists, such as neurologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic doctors, etc.

The profession of a physiotherapist is quite complex, and their responsibilities can vary significantly. Individuals who choose this profession must be able to provide multiple types of therapies and must know how to communicate with patients as well as with other medical staff, which means that the competencies they possess are quite extensive. Some of these skills can only be acquired after several years of experience. Therefore, when they cannot find personnel among Romanians, private companies often turn to external recruitment services for staff from Asian countries such as Nepal and India, where the approach to well-being is holistic, emphasizing not only the resolution of health issues but also a unique, pleasant, and relaxing experience. As a result, the skills they bring make them highly sought after in Romania as well.

The Skills of a Physiotherapist

What does a physiotherapist do? Depending on their workplace, this specialist may have several activities included in their job description. Thus, this profession often requires the acquisition of a fairly extensive set of skills.

It is important to mention that there are differences between the profession of a physiotherapist and that of a therapist. A physiotherapist primarily focuses on conducting medical rehabilitation programs based on physical exercises and specific techniques to improve physical functionality, while the profession of a therapist can encompass a much broader range of practices, such as psychological counseling or alternative therapies.

Among the core skills and competencies of a physiotherapist should be:

• A good understanding of human anatomy, which will help in personalizing the treatments offered;
• Empathy, as they need to understand the issues faced by patients and be able to explain the proposed therapy;
• Communication, which is essential in the medical field, including in the professions of massage therapist and therapist;
• Time management, in order to adhere to the workplace schedule as well as the time allocated to each individual patient;
• Professional ethics, since, like in any other medical field, a physiotherapist must uphold patient confidentiality;
• Physical abilities, as the profession of physiotherapist often involves assisting patients with lifting, bending, or moving;
• Knowledge of the equipment used in the rehabilitation room.

In addition to these, a physiotherapist can acquire other skills or competencies depending on their specific job description.

What does a physiotherapist do in terms of the activities they perform? This profession is quite complex in this regard, as there are numerous therapies they can carry out. Additionally, there are specialists who offer only certain services, some of which are less commonly encountered.

The responsibilities of a physical therapist can be numerous, so often their work is not limited to just the therapies they provide. Furthermore, when they specialize in multiple rehabilitation programs, their duties become quite extensive.

Here are just some of the therapies that a physical therapist can offer:

1. Rehabilitation Kinesitherapy: This is one of the fundamental responsibilities of a physical therapist, as the specialist helps individuals with reduced motor functions to move again through medical exercise therapy.
2. Preventive Kinesitherapy: This type of therapy focuses on patients who have been referred to a physical therapist by specialist doctors and aims to maintain the patients’ health, particularly when conditions are in the early stages or when the goal is to halt the progression of a condition. For this purpose, both medical exercise therapy and therapeutic or relaxation massage, as well as muscle tension relief, can be performed.
3. Curative Kinesitherapy: This type of therapy focuses on both restoring or correcting motor functions and maintaining the patient’s overall health to slow the progression of a disease.

In addition to these, a physical therapist can specialize in adult or pediatric kinesitherapy.

Based on the therapies they can perform, one can outline the tasks of a physical therapist and create a job description for this profession.

Job Description for a Kinesiotherapist

Regardless of where they work, the job description for a kinesiotherapist is usually the same. It typically includes the following elements:

• The qualifications accepted by the institution where they will conduct their activities, which means that for positions advertised in public hospitals, qualified personnel is required, while other units may accept individuals with a specialized course background.
• The work schedule, which in some cases may involve traveling to the patient’s home or even working in shifts.
• The tasks that the kinesiotherapist will have during their working hours.
• Relationships with the staff they come into contact with at the workplace.
• Use of special equipment, if necessary.
• Use of therapy equipment in accordance with relevant instructions.
• The manner in which activities are carried out depending on the specifics of the workplace.
• Participation in specialized training courses and ensuring continuous learning, if necessary.

These are the general elements of the kinesiotherapist’s job description; however, they may have additional responsibilities depending on their workplace. But where can such a specialist work? Fortunately, in Romania, there are plenty of options for those interested in a position in this field. Of course, these depend on the qualifications held by job seekers.

What does the profession of kinesiotherapist entail, and what job positions can a specialist in this field occupy?

Firstly, they can work in public hospitals or specialized clinics focusing on motor issues or similar conditions.

A kinesiotherapist can work in numerous places. In addition to hospitals, they can also conduct their activities in:

• Private clinics;
• Rehabilitation and motor recovery centers;
• Elderly care facilities, such as nursing homes;
• Various types of centers for children;
• Beauty clinics, where they can perform therapeutic massages;
• Hotels and wellness resorts, especially in various mountain resorts or on the Romanian coastline.

Regarding job opportunities in hotels or wellness resorts, a kinesiotherapist may work seasonally, so many companies in these areas opt for staffing leases based on workers from abroad who can offer additional types of therapies to clients. Asian workers are often preferred due to their expertise in various traditional therapies, which contributes to diversifying and improving the services available to customers.

In addition to these aspects, the profession of kinesiotherapist works very well alongside medical fields such as traumatology, neurology, and rheumatology. Thus, it is a specialization that has many advantages.

What benefits come with the profession of a kinesiotherapist?

This job has quite a few benefits, including:

• Access to job opportunities in various types of clinics, especially in the current context where the number of individuals with mobility issues is on the rise;
• Flexibility in the work schedule, depending on the chosen workplace; however, even in public hospitals, a kinesiotherapist will not be required to be on call, for instance;
• Access to specialized courses in certain branches, which can help them stand out among their colleagues, thus giving them the chance for a higher income;
• A salary above the average after 2 or 3 years of experience, resulting in a shorter waiting time for salary increases compared to other similar professions.

In conclusion, what it means to be a kinesiotherapist and what they do are frequently asked questions. This is a medical profession that can be pursued by individuals who have graduated with specialized higher education and wish to work in hospitals, as well as by those who opt for accreditation courses aimed at job positions in beauty clinics, hotels, or other similar units. This profession involves performing therapies such as medical gymnastics and therapeutic or relaxation massages through which patients can regain their motor functions or manage various muscle and bone conditions. It can be performed by both Romanian workers and foreigners, especially from Asian countries where complementary therapies are a true art of well-being.