ISCO 08 Code 3255  Physiotherapy technicians and assistants   

Lead Statement

Physiotherapy technicians and assistants provide physical therapeutic treatments to patients in circumstances where functional movement is threatened by injury, disease or impairment. Therapies are usually provided as per rehabilitative plans established by a physiotherapist or other health professional.

Task statement

Tasks include:

• massaging the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons and ligaments, to assist healing;
• instructing, motivating, safeguarding and assisting patients as they practice exercises and functional activities;
• conferring physiotherapists or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment;
• administering active and passive manual therapeutic exercises and heat, light, sound, water, and electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound;.
• observing patients during treatments and measuring patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of treatments to compile and evaluate data on patients' responses and progress;
• fitting patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices, such as crutches and training patients in the use of such devices;
• employing techniques, such as acupressure or Shiatsu, and complementary aids, such as infra-red lamps, wet compresses, ice, essential oils and herbal and mineral therapies, to assist recovery;
• assessing client's physical condition and case history and advising on stretching exercises and relaxation techniques.

Included occupations

Examples of the occupations classified here:

• Acupressure therapist
• Electrotherapist
• Hydrotherapist
• Massage therapist
• Shiatsu therapist

Excluded occupations

Some related occupations classified elsewhere:

• Physiotherapist  - 2264
• Podiatrist - 2269
• Occupational therapist - 3229
• Chiropractor - 3259

Comments

ISCO 88 Code(s) 3226, part

(NCvB: maart 2010)