What follows is a list of masters programs which are accredited.  These institutions are accredited according to the rules of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.  You can also refer to this entity as ACOTE.  This council schedules evaluations on site for each program every 5 to 7 years. So you want to go to an accredited school of course.  Otherwise your degree is practically worthless some would say.

Occupational Therapy Schools in the US

Alabama

AlabamaStateUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

TuskegeeUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

SchoolofNursingand Allied Health

Allied Health Department

UniversityofAlabamaatBirmingham

Department of Occupational Therapy

SchoolofHealthProfessions

University of SouthAlabama

Department of Occupational Therapy

PatCappsCoveyCollegeof Allied Health Professions

Arizona

ArizonaSchoolof Health Sciences,

A.T.StillUniversityof Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy Program

Midwestern University-Glendale Campus

Occupational Therapy Program

19555 North 59th Avenue

Glendale,AZ85308-6814

Arkansas

University of CentralArkansas

Department of Occupational Therapy

DoyneHealthSciencesCenter103

201 Donaghey Avenue, HSCSuite300

Box5001

Conway,AR72035-0001

California

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Dominguez Hills

Department of Occupational Therapy

CollegeofProfessionalStudies

SchoolofHealth and Human Services

Carson,CA90747-0005

DominicanUniversityofCalifornia

Department of Occupational Therapy

San Rafael,CA94901-2298

LomaLindaUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Loma Linda,CA92350-0001

SamuelMerrittUniversity

Occupational Therapy Department

Oakland,CA94609-3302

San JoseStateUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

San Jose,CA95192-0059

UniversityofSt. Augustinefor Health Sciences,San DiegoCampus

Occupational Therapy Program

San Marcos,CA92069

UniversityofSouthern California

Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Los Angeles,CA90089-9003

Colorado

ColoradoStateUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

Fort Collins,CO80523-1573

Connecticut

QuinnipiacUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

SchoolofHealthSciences

Hamden,CT06518-0569

SacredHeartUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy and Health Sciences

Fairfield,CT06825-1000

District of Columbia

HowardUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

Division of Allied Health Sciences

Florida

BarryUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Miami Shores,FL33161-6695

FloridaAgricultural andMechanicalUniversity

Division of Occupational Therapy

Tallahassee,FL32307-3500

FloridaGulfCoastUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy and Community Health

Fort Myers,FL33965-6565

FloridaInternationalUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

CollegeofNursingand Health Sciences

ModestoMaidique Campus, AHC 3-443

Nova Southeastern University

Occupational Therapy Department

Health Professions Division, College of Allied Health and Nursing

Ft. Lauderdale,FL33328-2018

UniversityofFlorida

Department of Occupational Therapy

Gainesville,FL32611

UniversityofSt. Augustinefor Health Sciences

InstituteofOccupational Therapy

St. Augustine,FL32086-5783

Georgia

BrenauUniversity

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

Gainesville,GA30501

BrenauUniversity,AtlantaCampus

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

Norcross,GA30071

GeorgiaHealthSciencesUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

College of Allied Health Sciences

Augusta,GA30912-0700

Idaho

IdahoStateUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Pocatello,ID83209-8045

Illinois

ChicagoStateUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

CollegeofHealthSciences

Chicago,IL60628-1598

GovernorsStateUniversity

Occupational Therapy Department

University Park,IL60484-0975

MidwesternUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

CollegeofHealthSciences

Downers Grove,IL60515-1235

RushUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

RushUniversityMedicalCenter

Chicago,IL60612-3833

UniversityofIllinoisatChicago

Department of Occupational Therapy

College of Applied Health Sciences

Chicago,IL60612-7250

Indiana

IndianaUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

Indianapolis,IN46202-5119

UniversityofIndianapolis

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

Indianapolis,IN46227-3697

UniversityofSouthern Indiana

Occupational Therapy Program

8600 University Boulevard

Evansville,IN47712-3534

Iowa

St.AmbroseUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Center for Health Sciences Education

Davenport,IA52804

Kansas

University ofKansasMedicalCenter

Department of Occupational Therapy Education

Kansas City,KS66160-7602

Kentucky

EasternKentuckyUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

Richmond,KY40475-3135

SpaldingUniversity

AuerbachSchoolof Occupational Therapy

Louisville,KY40203-2188

Louisiana

LouisianaStateUniversityHealthSciencesCenter,New OrleansCampus

Department of Occupational Therapy

School of Allied Health Professions

New Orleans,LA70112

LouisianaStateUniversityHealthSciencesCenter,ShreveportCampus

Program in Occupational Therapy

Department of Rehabilitative Sciences

Shreveport,LA71130-3932

Maine

HussonUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Bangor,ME04401-2999

UniversityofNew England

Occupational Therapy Department

Portland,ME04103

UniversityofSouthern MaineatLewiston-AuburnCollege

Occupational Therapy Program

Lewiston,ME04240-3534

Mississippi

The University ofMississippiMedicalCenter

Department of Occupational Therapy

SchoolofHealthRelated Professions

Jackson,MS39216-4505

Missouri

WashingtonUniversity

Program in Occupational Therapy

SchoolofMedicine

St. Louis,MO63108

Nebraska

CollegeofSaint Mary

Occupational Therapy Program

Omaha,NE68106-2606

Occupational Therapy Schools inNew Jersey

KeanUniversity

Occupational Therapy Department

Union,NJ07083-9982

RichardStocktonCollegeofNew Jersey

Occupational Therapy Program

SchoolofHealthSciences

Pomona,NJ08240-0195

SetonHallUniversity

Occupational Therapy Department

South Orange,NJ07079-2689

Occupational Therapy Schools inNew York(NY)

ColumbiaUniversity

Programs in Occupational Therapy

Neurological Institute

New York,NY10032-2603

DominicanCollege

Occupational Therapy Program

Orangeburg,NY10962-1299

D’Youville College

Occupational Therapy Department

Buffalo,NY14201-1084

IthacaCollege

Department of Occupational Therapy

Ithaca,NY14850-7079

KeukaCollege

Division of Occupational Therapy

NagaraCountyCommunity College,Sanborn,NY

Long IslandUniversity,BrooklynCampus

Division of Occupational Therapy

Brooklyn,NY11201-5372

MercyCollege

Occupational Therapy Graduate Program

Dobbs Ferry,NY10522-1134

New York Institute of Technology

Department of Occupational Therapy

OldWestbury,NY11568-8000

New YorkUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

SteinhardtSchoolof Culture, Education, and Human Development

New York,NY10012-1172

Sage Colleges

Occupational Therapy Program

Troy,NY12180-4115

StateUniversityofNew YorkDownstateMedicalCenter

Occupational Therapy Program

Brooklyn,NY11203-2098

Stony Brook University

Occupational Therapy Program

SchoolofHealthTechnology and Management, L2-HSC

Division of Rehabilitation Sciences

StonyBrook,NY11794-8206

TouroCollege

Occupational Therapy Department

Bay Shore,NY11706-7928

University atBuffalo, StateUniversityofNew York

Program in Occupational Therapy

Department of Rehabilitation Science

Buffalo,NY14214-3079

UticaCollege

Occupational Therapy Program

SchoolofHealthProfessions and Education

Utica,NY13502-4892

YorkCollege, TheCityUniversityofNew York

Occupational Therapy Program

SchoolofHealthand Behavioral Sciences

Jamaica, NY 11451-9902

North Carolina

EastCarolinaUniversity

Occupational Therapy Department

School of Allied Health Sciences

Greenville,NC27858-4353

Lenoir-RhyneUniversity

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

CollegeofHealthSciences

Hickory,NC28603-7547

UniversityofNorth CarolinaatChapel Hill

Division of Occupational Science

Department of Allied Health Sciences,SchoolofMedicine

Chapel Hill,NC27599-7122

Winston-SalemStateUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Winston-Salem,NC27110-0003

Occupational Therapy Schools inOhio

ClevelandStateUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Health Sciences

Cleveland,OH44115-2440

OhioStateUniversity

Occupational Therapy Division

School of Allied Medical Professions

Columbus,OH43210-1234

ShawneeStateUniversity

Master in Occupational Therapy Program

Portsmouth,OH45662-4303

Occupational Therapys Schools inPennsylvania

AlverniaUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Reading,PA19607-1799

ElizabethtownCollege

Department of Occupational Therapy

Elizabethtown,PA17022-2298

PhiladelphiaUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

SchoolHouse Lane&Henry Avenue

Philadelphia,PA19144-5497

TempleUniversity

Occupational Therapy Program

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

CollegeofHealthProfessions and Social Work

Philadelphia,PA19140-5101

ThomasJeffersonUniversity

Department of Occupational Therapy

JeffersonSchoolof Health Professions

Philadelphia,PA19107-5233

UniversityofPittsburgh

Department of Occupational Therapy

SchoolofHealthand Rehabilitation Sciences

Pittsburgh,PA15260

Occupational Therapy Schools inTexas

TexasTechUniversityHealthSciencesCenter

Master of Occupational Therapy Program

Lubbock,TX79430-6220

TexasWoman’s University

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

Denton,TX76204-5648

TexasWoman’s University,DallasCenter

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

Dallas,TX 75231-4365

TexasWoman’s University,HoustonCenter

SchoolofOccupational Therapy

Houston,TX 77030

UniversityofTexasatEl Paso

Occupational Therapy Program

CollegeofHealthSciences, Department of Rehabiliation Sciences

El Paso,TX79968

University ofTexasHealthScienceCenteratSan Antonio

Department of Occupational Therapy

San Antonio,TX78229-3900

UniversityofTexasMedical Branch

Department of Occupational Therapy

SchoolofHealthProfessions

Galveston,TX77555-1142

TheUniversityofTexasPan-American

Department of Occupational Therapy

Edinburg,TX78539-2999

Many people my wonder about what schooling is required to obtain a respiratory therapist job.  A four year degree and certification are required in most states I’ve researched.

It is estimated that there will be a need for another 2000 respiratory therapists in new positions created every year until 2018.  Beyond that it can be an increasing number due to the aging population.  If you are looking at a career in the medical field you may have good luck finding a job as a respiratory therapist.  The pay is good for these therapists.  You can expect to make about $55,000 a year after getting through school and having a couple years of experience.

With our country’s expected aging population over the next decade and beyond, we will see many new jobs created in the home health industry.  Most of the new jobs will continue to be where they are today.  This happens in the hospital.  Some specialty areas where you are likely to see high demand are those individuals trained and experienced working with infants or cardiopulmonary patients.

So we know that jobs are driven by demand for therapy services.  Supply for respiratory therapist professionals to fill these jobs is not high.  You can expect to see a decent salary due to this fact.  Many patients come from accident patients, heart attack patients, and patients that have had a lung transplant.  There are also many advanced medications that patients are using that are inhalable.

If you are a respiratory therapist and looking for a job you can contact job agencies.  You can also go to sites on the internet and try and find a job that route.  Also, the role of a therapist has grown in the past decade.  You have therapists acting as case managers, working in emergency care, and preventative care.

The growth for these jobs in respiratory therapy care is expected to grow faster than average. When the economy is not great the jobs for respiratory therapy does not suffer.  So you can be confident that you should be able to find employment and make a good living practically anywhere in theUnited States.

Having a job is important.  Being happy is also important.  If you are happy in your job you will likely do a much better job helping someone with their rehabilitation.  If helping others with their problems makes you happy then you can make money and be happy all at the same time as a respiratory therapist.  So go out and get yourself one of the many respiratory therapist jobs.

For those that are looking for a great career in the medical field, you are in luck.  The occupational therapy field is growing more than most.  In fact there should be a high demand for this position in the coming years for a number of reasons.  The average age of Americans is increasing.  With increasing age comes increasing need for therapy.  Also, the average weight of Americans is moving up as well.  Fat people suffer from more physiological issues than their less robust neighbors.

Thanks to the American diet which is rich in empty calories and low nutrients, you will have a wonderful career as an occupational therapist.  People that eat more nutrient dense foods are less likely to develop the kind of illnesses and diseases that may lead them to need therapy.

Many patients that require occupational therapy services need them due to aging or a genetic disorder.  These patients are usually going to be needing therapy for the rest of their lives.  This just helps to illustrate how the demand for occupational therapy is high.  Therefore, the occupational therapist salary will be inflated due to that demand.

Occupational therapy salary ranges for specific work environments.

You can expect that the occupational therapy salary will be higher in a home health care service company than in an elementary school. The occupational therapy salary range can be from the low $60k to the mid or upper $70k.  And this salary range is expected to go up on average for the next decade.

Estimated salaries for occupational therapist jobs are on the rise:

It is estimated that the highest demand for an occupational therapist is in hospital settings.  But there is also going to be an ever increasing need for occupational therapists in all work environments.

It is interesting to note that some licensed occupational therapists are in such demand that they are not even concerned with how they treat their coworkers.  Recently, I was speaking with a physical therapist aide that works with an OT.  This occupational therapist had the worst behavior.  She would yell at coworkers and was mean to patients.  When the physical therapist that owned the office found out about her behavior she just had to deal with it.  There were too many patients and not enough caregivers and she had to make a decision.  She had to decide whether to fire the therapist or just put up with it. She decided to just put up with the bad behavior.  This true story illustrates the demand and lack of supply of a therapist.  With that kind of job security you can be assured that you will be able to obtain a high occupational therapist salary.

It is no secret that the need for good therapists is high.  This need drives up job security for occupational therapists.  It also drives up the need for high occupational therapy salary ranges.  But what should be most important is not the salary, but the patient.  Our country is growing older, sicker and feebler.  Our young ones are growing dumber with every passing year.  We need a refocus on education and someone out there promoting the health professions.  Please consider occupational therapy for your future.  The future needs you.  And you need that occupational therapist salary.

I believe the following sentence answers the question, what is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a holistic approach to improving a patient’s ability to perform tasks in both working and living environments.  But in addition to helping someone recover, occupational therapists also help patients avoid the activity that caused this problem in the first place.  Some issues a person has are not really something that can be fixed.  In that case an OT will help the patient cope.  Therapy revolves around helping the patient live successfully even though they may have some permanent disability.

When your ability to perform your work duties have been impaired by some mental or physical injury you can utilize an occupational therapist.  They may come to your work place and do an evaluation.  Also, they can help you plan your work activities and then measure your improvement over time.  A good therapist will be a liaison between you and your employer.  He can get your work environment to adapt to your disability.

What is an occupational therapist?

There are also a number of occupational therapist that specialize in working with children.  These are pediatric occupational therapy specialists.  They may deal with a child that has muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.  Or the pediatric occupational therapy specialist may be helping the child that has been injured in some kind of an accident.  If a child suffers a spinal cord injury and is partially paralyzed then an OT would come in and help.

Working as a pediatric occupational therapy specialist is something many feel is very rewarding.  I was speaking with a friend about this type of therapist and she thought it would be sad to have to deal with these children.  It is actually the opposite.  Children do not always focus on their disability.  But those that are different from them tend to out of fear.  So many people tend to avoid these children.  Is it sadder to make a child laugh and give them attention and help them cope with their disability.  Or is it sadder to pretend like they do not exist and try to not think about this person that is so different.  What a lonely world some of these children must have to deal with.  I think that makes my point.

So there are many similarities between pt and OT, but in the end they both have the same goal.  It is just that occupational therapy takes a more broad approach in the way they try to treat children, adults, and seniors with disabilities.  If you are thinking of getting some occupational therapy or becoming an occupational therapist then you are moving the right way.

The average amount for the occupational therapist assistant salary is close to $50,000. Starting pay range falls in the $33,000 to $40,000. But experienced occupational therapy assistants make over $60,000 in many areas. Some of the highest paying employers are the home health care services.

The lower paying employers are typically the public school systems.  Nursing homes also pay high occupational therapist assistant salary amounts.  Hospitals surprisingly fall in the middle of pay range for an occupational therapy assistant.

An occupational therapy assistant works under supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. The OTA assists in the rehab services for physical, mental, and developmental problems.  The primary goal of occupational therapy is to improve a client’s quality of life.  This is achieved through the therapy therapists provide.  Successful therapy results in happy and productive people.  Often overlooked, the independence a client regains through occupational therapy sessions is life changing.  To see a child that cannot properly walk or tie their shoes to overcome this obstacle will make you cry with joy.

Occupational therapy assistants use materials and equipment during therapy sessions.  This equipment can be as simple as a ball or as complicated as some electronic medical device.  Therapy can be complicated or so simple you would think anyone could perform the treatment.  But assessing what is needed and how the patient progresses is one of the most important parts of therapy.

Another factor in the occupational therapy assistant salary is the amount of collaborative skills the employee has.  Occupational therapists work closely with the assistants to determine the best path to recovery for the patient.  If an OTA is good at this then they can make their employer more profitable.

These are things that are looked at when determining the occupational therapist assistant salary. One more skill that is desirable in an ota is that of documenting the needed billing of the patient’s health insurance provider.  This must be submitted for reimbursement and the better this is done the more money the business will get.  If you are good at documenting you may get a higher occupational therapy assistant salary.

Most occupational therapy assistants work fairly regular business hours.  Some must work odd hours if they work in a hospital.  The ota does need to have enough strength to carry and lift equipment and assistant patients when needed.  Weekend work may occur if the patient needs this to happen.

So we have gone over the traits that make an ota valuable in order to attain the highest occupational therapy assistant salary.  This ota salary will top out around $30/hour. Good news for therapists is that they are in high demand and not likely to lose their job due to lack of need.  In this economy that is something we all can be thankful for.  And the pleasure an occupational therapy assistant will feel when they help a person to do the most simple tasks in life will be worth more than money.

If you are considering becoming an occupational therapist assistant, don’t just consider the monetary benefits.  Serving others is also a huge benefit.  The payoff for those that improve the lives of others will continue long after the salary is spent. Consider a career as an OTA and you will not regret it.

Which industry pays the highest physical therapy assistant salary?

In general home health care services will pay the most for a pta.  Although you may find that a physical therapist may be willing to pay you more if you bypass any health benefits.  Physical therapy assistant salary should be higher if you opt out of the benefits.  I’m aware physical therapist assistant salary amount around $60,000 paid by a physical therapist.  Another spot with higher salary is that of nursing homes.  I assume that is because working with the elderly is not the ideal patient.

Many times elderly patients also suffer from other disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s.  These patients can be difficult to direct during therapy.  Also, these patients are sometimes confused and occasionally violent. We see less physical therapy assistants wanting to do deal with the elderly.   So pta salary will be higher for those that will work with the elderly.

Physical therapy assistant salary around mid-year 2011 was around $48,932 in theUnited States.  Around 50% of the pta salary ranges fall between $38,100 and $55,439. You can expect that the most you in your physical therapist assistant salary is just over $60,000.

Which industry pays the highest physical therapy assistant salary?

In general home health care services will pay the most for a pta.  Although you may find that a physical therapist may be willing to pay you more if you bypass any health benefits.  I’m aware physical therapist assistant salary amount around $60,000 paid by a physical therapist.  Another spot with higher salary is that of nursing homes.  I assume that is because working with the elderly is not the ideal patient.

Many times elderly patients also suffer from other disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s.  These patients can be difficult to direct during therapy.  Also, these patients are sometimes confused and occasionally violent. We see less physical therapy assistants wanting to do deal with the elderly.

Physical therapist assistants work with a PT to provide care service.  The overall idea is that physical therapy helps improve a patient’s ability to move.  Also, the relief of pain and ability to work around other disorders is another benefit  bonus. Currently there are a number of patients that come in for therapy to treat sports injuries.  But there are a number of other specialty areas like pediatric physical therapy.

Many physical therapy offices that specialize in treating incontinence and lymphedema have special techniques they use.  A physical therapy assistant that is trained to work in specialty areas may discover that they can get a higher pta salary.

Therapy is achieved by assigning exercises, electrical stimulation, manual traction, and mechanical traction.  Other physical therapy techniques include using ultrasound.  An individual that can operate the ultrasound machine is more valuable.

Patients also benefit from the use of this technologically advanced equipment.  For example the electrical stimulation can be applied to the muscle area the physical therapist is attempting to help.  This stimulation causes the muscle to tense up become exhausted.  After the muscle recovers it is typically stronger.  Over a short period of time of physical therapy the patient may heal that muscle area.

PTA programs have two parts to them.  One is in the classroom.  The other part is in the clinic.  The academic work requires anatomy, psychology and physiology classes.  The work you do in the clinic is hands on.  A pta student will get their cpr certification during the hands on clinic time usually are divided into academic coursework and hands-on clinical experience. In order to truly understand what a physical therapy assistant does on the job, hands on experience is critical.

If you are attempting to be a pta then you will need to be licensed and certified.  The certification happens after your coursework.  The certification for pta is acquired by taking and passing the physical therapy exam.

States regulate physical therapist assistants through licensure, registration, or certification. Most States require physical therapist assistants to graduate from an accredited education program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam.

It is a good idea to contact your state’s licensing board to get all the details.

Most physical therapy assistants have an associate degree.  There are many individuals that work in physical therapy offices and carry out the work of a pta but are not trained with an associate degree in physical therapy assistant courses.  These people can do a good job but are not given the higher physical therapy assistant salary.

There are over 200 accredited physical therapy assistant programs in theUnited States.  The program will typically take about 2 years.  This is by far one of the best fields to make a great living in without having to obtain a four year degree.

Another bonus of being a physical therapy assistant is that you can help people and make a great pta salary.

Physical therapist assistants work with a PT to provide care service.  The overall idea is that physical therapy helps improve a patient’s ability to move.  Also, the relief of pain and ability to work around other disorders is another benefit  bonus. Currently there are a number of patients that come in for therapy to treat sports injuries.  But there are a number of other specialty areas like pediatric physical therapy.  And remember that the more you specialize the more physical therapy assistant salary you can demand.

Many physical therapy offices that specialize in treating incontinence and lymphedema have special techniques they use.  A physical therapy assistant that is trained to work in specialty areas may discover that they can get a higher pta salary.

Therapy is achieved by assigning exercises, electrical stimulation, manual traction, and mechanical traction.  Other physical therapy techniques include using ultrasound.  An individual that can operate the ultrasound machine is more valuable.

Patients also benefit from the use of this technologically advanced equipment.  For example the electrical stimulation can be applied to the muscle area the physical therapist is attempting to help.  This stimulation causes the muscle to tense up become exhausted.  After the muscle recovers it is typically stronger.  Over a short period of time of physical therapy the patient may heal that muscle area.  This is another skill area you may want to master for the highest physical therapy assistant salary.

PTA programs have two parts to them.  One is in the classroom.  The other part is in the clinic.  The academic work requires anatomy, psychology and physiology classes.  The work you do in the clinic is hands on.  A pta student will get their cpr certification during the hands on clinic time usually are divided into academic coursework and hands-on clinical experience. In order to truly understand what a physical therapy assistant does on the job, hands on experience is critical.

If you are attempting to be a pta then you will need to be licensed and certified.  The certification happens after your coursework.  The certification for pta is acquired by taking and passing the physical therapy exam.  To obtain the highest physical therapy assistant salary, you must pass this exam.

States regulate physical therapist assistants through licensure, registration, or certification. Most States require physical therapist assistants to graduate from an accredited education program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam.

It is a good idea to contact your state’s licensing board to get all the details.

 Higher Physical Therapy Assistant Salaries Explained:

Most physical therapy assistants have an associate degree.  There are many individuals that work in physical therapy offices and carry out the work of a pta but are not trained with an associate degree in physical therapy assistant courses.  These people can do a good job but are not given the higher physical therapy assistant salary.

There are over 200 accredited physical therapy assistant programs in theUnited States.  The program will typically take about 2 years.  This is by far one of the best fields to make a great living in without having to obtain a four year degree.

Another bonus of being a physical therapy assistant is that you can help people and make a great pta salary.

Respiratory therapists do work with gases which are stored under pressure. Compliance with safety standards and normal maintenance of the equipment mitigates risk. One downside to working as a respiratory therapist is that you will be exposed to infectious diseases.  You can avoid catching these things by taking standard precautions.

The outlook for hiring in the respiratory therapist arena is excellent.  Year after year theUSpopulation is growing older and fatter.  This is due in large part to the sedentary lifestyle the average American lives and consumption of processed foods.  Unfortunate for the populace, but this fact is fortunate for those wanting plenty of work as a respiratory therapist.

There were over 100,000 respiratory therapists in 2010 in theUnited States. Most of these jobs are in hospitals in anesthesiology, respiratory or pulmonary care. You may also see many jobs in a physician office.  Another good are if you want to interface with your colleagues would be working for the manufacturer of respiratory equipment.  Many individuals work in this area after becoming a therapist. Elder care facilities and home health care are other good options for finding work.

What traits do you need to be a good respiratory therapy care practitioner?

Therapists should have the ability to understand a patient’s physical and mental needs.  A respiratory caregiver must strive for details and follow instructions. He must also have the ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals.

The final area of expertise is that of operating medical equipment.  If you are good with computers then there is a likely possibility that you will be good with the medical equipment.

Quality of patient care ultimately what we all strive for in this profession.  If you are technically minded and have the ability to relate to those in pain, then a career as a respiratory therapist may be perfect for you.

Physical therapy schools in AL

AlabamaState U

Location:Montgomery,AL

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofAlabamaatBirmingham

Location:Birmingham,AL

Degree: Doctorate

U ofSouth Alabama

Location:Mobile,AL

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in AZ

AT Still U of Health Sciences

Location:Mesa,AZ

Degree: Doctorate

Northern ArizonaU

Location:Flagstaff,AZ

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in AR

ArkansasState U

Location: State U, AR

Degree: Masters

U of Central Arkansas

Location: Conway, AR

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in CA

Azusa Pacific U

Location: Azusa, CA

Degree: Doctorate

California State U, Fresno

Location: Fresno, CA

Degree: Masters

California State U, Long Beach

Location: Long Beach, CA

Degree: Masters

California State U, Northridge

Location: Northridge, CA

Degree: Masters

California State U, Sacramento

Location: Sacramento, CA

Degree: Masters

Chapman U

Location: Orange, CA

Degree: Doctorate

Loma Linda U

Location: Loma Linda, CA

Degree: Doctorate

Mount St Mary’s College

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Degree: Doctorate

Samuel Merritt College

Location: Oakland, CA

Degree: Doctorate

U of California, San Francisco

Location: San Francisco, CA

Degree: Masters/Doctorate

U of Southern California

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Degree: Doctorate

U of the Pacific

Location: Stockton, CA

Degree: Doctorate

Western U of Health Sciences

Location: Pomona, CA

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in CO

Regis U

Location:Denver,CO

Degree: Doctorate

U ofColoradoHealthSciencesCenter

Location:Denver,CO

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in CT

Quinnipiac U

Location:Hamden,CT

Degree: Doctorate

Sacred Heart U

Location:Fairfield,CT

Degree: Masters, Doctorate

U ofConnecticut

Location:Storrs,CT

Degree: Masters

U ofHartford

Location:West Hartford,CT

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in D.C.

Howard U

Location:Washington,DC

Degree: Masters

The George Washington U

Location: D.C., Washington

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in DE

Delaware

U ofDelaware

Location:Newark,DE

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in FL

Florida

FloridaAgricultural and Mechanical U

Location:Tallahassee,FL

Degree: Masters

FloridaGulf Coast U

Location:Fort Myers,FL

Degree: Masters

FloridaInternational U

Location:Miami,FL

Degree: Masters

Nova Southeastern U

Location:Ft. Lauderdale,FL

Degree: Masters

U ofCentral Florida

Location:Orlando,FL

Degree: Masters

U ofFlorida

Location:Gainesville,FL

Degree: Doctorate

U ofMiami

Location:Coral Gables,FL

Degree: Doctorate

U ofNorth Florida

Location:Jacksonville,FL

Degree: Doctorate

U ofSouth Florida

Location:Tampa,FL

Degree: Doctorate

U ofSt Augustinefor Health Sciences

Location:St Augustine,FL

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in GA

Armstrong Atlantic State U

Location:Savannah,GA

Degree: Masters

Emory U

Location:Atlanta,GA

Degree: Doctorate

GeorgiaState U

Location:Atlanta,GA

Degree: Doctorate

MedicalCollegeofGeorgia

Location:Augusta,GA

Degree: Doctorate

NorthGeorgiaCollegeand State U

Location:Dahlonega,GA

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in IL

Illinois

Bradley U

Location:Peoria,IL

Degree: Doctorate

Governors State U

Location: U Park, IL

Degree: Doctorate

Midwestern U

Location: Downer’s Grove, IL

Degree: Doctorate

Northern IllinoisU

Location:DeKalb,IL

Degree: Doctorate

Northwestern U

Location:Chicago,IL

Degree: Doctorate

Rosalind Franklin U of Medicine and Science

Location:North Chicago,IL

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofIllinoisatChicago

Location:Chicago,IL

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in IN

IndianaU

Location:Indianapolis,IN

Degree: Doctorate

U ofEvansville

Location:Evansville,IN

Degree: Masters

U ofIndianapolis

Location:Indianapolis,IN

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in IA

ClarkeCollege

Location:Dubuque,IA

Degree: Doctorate

Des Moines U – OsteopathicMedicalCenter

Location:Des Moines,IA

Degree: Doctorate

St Ambrose U

Location:Davenport,IA

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofIowa

Location:Iowa City,IA

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in ID

IdahoState U

Location:Pocatello,ID

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in KS

U ofKansasMedicalCenter

Location:Kansas City,KS

Detgree: Doctorate

WichitaState U

Location:Wichita,KS

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in KY

Bellarmine U

Location:Louisville,KY

Degree: Doctorate

U ofKentucky

Location:Lexington,KY

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in LA

LouisianaStateUHealthSciencesCenterinNew Orleans

Location:New Orleans,LA

Degree: Masters

LouisianaStateUHealthSciencesCenterinShreveport

Location:Shreveport,LA

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in ME

HussonCollege

Location:Bangor,ME

Degree: Masters

U ofNew England

Location:Portland,ME

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in MA

AmericanInternationalCollege

Location:Springfield,MA

Degree: Doctorate

BostonU

Location:Boston,MA

Degree: Doctorate

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Location:Boston,MA

Degree: Doctorate

Northeastern U

Location:Boston,MA

Degree: Masters

SimmonsCollege

Location:Boston,MA

Degree: Doctorate

SpringfieldCollege

Location:Springfield,MA

Degree: Doctorate

U ofMassachusettsLowell

Location:Lowell,MA

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in MD

U ofMaryland-Baltimore

Location:Baltimore,MD

Degree: Doctorate

U ofMaryland-Eastern Shore

Location: Princess Anne, MD

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in MI

Andrews U

Location:Berrien Springs,MI

Degree: Doctorate

Andrews U/Dayton

Location:Berrien Springs,MI

Degree: Masters

Central MichiganU

Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI

Degree: Doctorate

Grand Valley State U

Location:Grand Rapids,MI

Degree: Masters

OaklandU

Location:Rochester,MI

Degree: Doctorate

U ofMichigan-Flint

Location:Flint,MI

Degree: Doctorate

WayneState U

Location:Detroit,MI

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in MN

CollegeofSt Catherine

Location:Minneapolis,MN

Degree: Doctorate

CollegeofSt Scholastica

Location:Duluth,MN

Degree: Doctorate

MayoSchoolof Health Sciences

Location:Rochester,MN

Degree: Doctorate

U ofMinnesota

Location:Minneapolis,MN

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in MO

MaryvilleU ofSaint Louis

Location:St. Louis,MO

Degree: Masters

MissouriState U

Location:Springfield,MO

Degree: Masters

Rockhurst U

Location:Kansas City,MO

Degree: Doctorate

Saint LouisUniverity

Location:Saint Louis,MO

Degree: Masters

Southwest Baptist U

Location: Bolivar, MO

Degree: Doctorate

U of Missouri-Columbia

Location:Columbia,MO

Degree: Doctorate

WashingtonU ofSt Louis

Location:Saint Louis,MO

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in MS

U ofMississippiMedicalCenter

Location:Jackson,MS

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in MT

The U ofMontana-Missoula

Location:Missoula,MT

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in NC

Duke U

Location:Durham,NC

Degree: Doctorate

East CarolinaU

Location:Greenville,NC

Degree: Doctorate

Elon U

Location:Elon,NC

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofNorth CarolinaatChapel Hill

Location:Chapel Hill,NC

Degree: Masters

Western CarolinaU

Location:Cullowhee,NC

Degree: Masters

Winston-SalemState U

Location:Winston-Salem,NC

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in ND

U of Mary

Location:Bismarck,ND

Degree: Doctorate

U ofNorth Dakota

Location:Grand Forks,ND

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in NE

Creighton U

Location:Omaha,NE

Degree: Doctorate

U ofNebraskaMedicalCenter

Location:Omaha,NE

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in NH

FranklinPierceCollege

Location:Concord,NH

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in NJ

Rutgers, The State U ofNew Jersey,GraduateSchoolCamdenand U of Medicine & Dentistry ofNew Jersey

Location:Stratford,NJ

Degree: Masters

TheRichardStocktonCollegeofNew Jersey

Location:Pomona,NJ

Degree: Masters

U of Medicine & Dentistry ofNew Jersey

Location:Newark,NJ

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in NV

U ofNevada,Las Vegas

Location:Las Vegas,NV

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in NY

Clarkson U

Location:Potsdam,NY

Degree: Masters

ColumbiaU

Location:New York,NY

Degree: Doctorate

D’Youville College

Location:Buffalo,NY

Degree: Masters

DaemenCollege

Location:Amherst,NY

Degree: Doctorate

DominicanCollegeof Blauvelt

Location:Orangeburg,NY

Degree: Doctorate

HunterCollege

Location:New York,NY

Degree: Masters

ItacaCollege

Location:Itaca,NY

Degree: Masters

Long IslandU -BrooklynCampus

Location:Brooklyn,NY

Degree: Doctorate

MercyCollege

Location:Dobbs Ferry,NY

Degree: Masters

NazarethCollegeofRochester

Location:Rochester,NY

Degree: Masters

New York Institute of Technology

Location: OldWestbury,NY

Degree: Masters

New YorkMedicalCollege

Location:Valhalla,NY

Degree: Doctorate

New YorkU

Location:New York,NY

Degree: Doctorate

State U ofNew YorkDownstateMedicalCenter

Location:Brooklyn,NY

Degree: Masters

State U ofNew YorkUpstate Medical U

Location:Syracuse,NY

Degree: Doctorate

Stony Brook U

Location: StonyBrook,NY

Degree: Doctorate

TheCollegeofStaten Island

Location:Staten Island,NY

Degree: Masters

The Sage Colleges

Location:Troy,NY

Degree: Doctorate

TouroCollege

Location:New York,NY

Degree: Dual BS in Health Sciences and Doctorate

U atBuffalo, State U ofNew York

Location:Buffalo,NY

Degree:Doctorate

UticaCollege

Location:Utica,NY

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in OH

ClevelandState U

Location:Cleveland,OH

Degree: Masters

College of Mount StJoseph

Location:Cincinnati,OH

Degree: Masters

MedicalCollegeofOhioIn Consortium with:Bowling GreenState U and The U ofToledo

Location:Toledo,OH

Degree: Masters

OhioU

Location:Athens,OH

Degree: Doctorate

TheOhioState U

Location:Columbus,OH

Degree: Masters

The U ofFindlay

Location:Findlay,OH

Degree: Masters

U ofCincinnati

Location:Cincinnati,OH

Degree: Masters

Walsh U

Location:North Canton,OH

Degree: Doctorate

YoungstownState U

Location:Youngstown,OH

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in OK

U ofOklahomaHealthSciencesCenter

Location:Oklahoma City,OK

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in OR

Pacific U

Location:Forest Grove,OR

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in PA

ArcadiaU

Location:Glenside,PA

Degree: Doctorate

College Misericordia

Location:Dallas,PA

Degree: Masters

Drexel U

Location:Philadelphia,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Duquesne U

Location:Pittsburgh,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Gannon U

Location:Erie,PA

Degree: Doctorate

NuemannCollege

Location:Aston,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Saint Francis U

Location:Loretto,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Slippery Rock U ofPennsylvania

Location: Slippery Rock, PA

Degree: Doctorate

TempleU

Location:Philadelphia,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Thomas Jefferson U

Location:Philadelphia,PA

Degree: Doctorate

U ofPittsburgh

Location:Pittsburgh,PA

Degree: Doctorate

U ofScranton

Location:Scranton,PA

Degree: Masters

U of the Sciences inPhiladelphia

Location:Philadelphia,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Widener U

Location:Chester,PA

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in RI

U ofRhode Island

Location:Kingston,RI

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in SC

Medical U ofSouth Carolina

Location:Charleston,SC

Degree: Doctorate

U ofSouth Carolina-Columbia

Location:Columbia,SC

Degree: Doctorate

South Dakota

U ofSouth Dakota

Location: Vermillion, SD

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in TN

BelmontU

Location:Nashville,TN

Degree: Doctorate

EastTennesseeState U

Location:Johnson City,TN

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofTennesseeatChattanooga

Location:Chattanooga,TN

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofTennesseeHealthScienceCenter

Location:Memphis,TN

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in TX

Angelo State U

Location:San Angelo,TX

Degree: Masters

Hardin-Simmons U

Location:Abilene,TX

Degree: Doctorate

TexasStateU-San Marcos

Locatin:San Marcos,TX

Degree: Masters

TexasTech UHealthSciencesCenter

Location:Lubbock,TX

Degree: Masters

TexasWoman’s U

Location:Houston,TX

Degree: Doctorate

The U ofTexasHealthScienceCenteratSan Antonio

Location:San Antonio,TX

Degree: Masters

The U ofTexasMedical Branch atGalveston

Location:Galveston,TX

Degree: Masters

U ofTexasatEl Paso

Location:El Paso,TX

Degree: Masters

U ofTexasSouthwesternMedicalCenteratDallas

Location:Dallas,TX

Degree: Masters

USArmy-Baylor U

Location:FortSamHouston,TX

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in UT

U ofUtah

Location:Salt Lake City,UT

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in VA

HamptonU

Location:Hampton,VA

Degree: Doctorate

Marymount U

Location:Arlington,VA

Degree: Doctorate

Old Dominion U

Location:Norfolk,VA

Degree: Doctorate

Shenandoah U

Location:Winchester,VA

Degree: Doctorate

VirginiaCommonwealth U

Location:Richmond,VA

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in VT

U ofVermont

Location:Burlington,VT

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in WA

Eastern WashingtonU

Location:Spokane,WA

Degree: Masters

U ofPuget Sound

Location:Tacoma,WA

Degree: Doctorate

U ofWashington

Location:Seattle,WA

Degree: Doctorate

Physical therapy schools in WI

CarrollCollege

Location:Waukesha,WI

Degree: Masters

Concordia U Wisconsin

Location:Mequon,WI

Degree: Doctorate

MarquetteU

Location:Milwaukee,WI

Degree: Doctorate

U of Wisconsin-LaCrosse

Location: LaCrosse, WI

Degree: Masters

U of Wisconsin-Madison

Location:Madison,WI

Degree: Masters

Physical therapy schools in WV

West Virginia U

Location:Morgantown,WV

Degree: Masters

Wheeling Jesuit U

Location:Wheeling,WV

Degree: Doctorate

Good luck in your search.  PT schools are very competitive so you’ll need to work have all the physical therapy school prerequisites.

Respiratory therapist salary levels are continuing to be on the rise.  This fact is due to the supply of patients that are in need of respiratory therapy services.

Respiratory therapists are also known as respiratory care specialists. They evaluate and treat the patients.  These patients have issues  with cardiopulmonary or chronic breathing issues.  Having the ability to work with these types of patients will increase a respiratory therapist salary.

RTs work under the direction of a physician. Respiratory therapists are responsible for respiratory therapeutic treatments and diagnostic evaluations.  The respiratory therapist supervises the work of the respiratory therapy techs as well.  They collaborate with physicians and other healthcare resources to assist in devising  patients care.  Respiratory therapists also deliver complicated therapies such as taking care of a patient on life support in hospitals.

Respiratory therapists give evaluations of equipment as well as patients. When a patient appears to be have labored breathing o the therapist will act accordingly.  For instance, the therapist may notice that there is a problem with a patient’s ph level in their blood.  If this happens the RT must make a change to the oxygen delivery to the ventilator system.  The respiratory therapist also acts as a mechanic and if the equipment is malfunctioning they must recognize that and make adjustments.  So you can see that this career is complicated and the more experience you have the more respiratory therapy salary one can demand.

Yearly averages for respiratory therapy salary have risen over the last few years.  The respiratory therapist salary average is somewhere around $55,000 per year.  Some respiratory therapist salary amounts are higher for those with more experience.  Also the RT salaries paid in larger cities are typically higher because cost of living is also higher.  So where you live will play into your respiratory therapy salary.

The bottom 10 percent of respiratory therapists earned around $40,000 last year.  It appears that the highest salaries for respiratory therapists are around $72,000 currently.

Employment of respiratory therapists is growing.  By 2018 it appears there is a 21 percent projection of growth.  This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States.  This is considered faster than average for all careers.  So this increasing demand is occurring.  I would say that this is due to the fact that our population is growing older and getting sicker.

Elderly individuals tend to develop cardiopulmonary disease and need treatment. This demand growth is causing a shortage in respiratory therapy services.  In turn, it is also driving the respiratory therapy salary up as you can logically deduct.

Older people are more often impacted by respiratory disorders and cardiopulmonary diseases.  Examples of this are pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and heart disease.  When the elderly population increases the need for respiratory therapists is also increasing.

Technical advances in breathable medications and in the medical equipment used in the treatment of lung transplant patients as well as premature babies are also increasing in demand.  Therefore the services of a therapist are needed more than ever and the respiratory therapy salary will bump up in step.

 Respiratory Therapist Salary and Benefits In Detail

There are three primary variables that determine a respiratory therapist salary.

1. Location of respiratory therapy job is critical.  If you live in California you are likely going to make more than someone that lives in Georgia.

2. Respiratory therapist salary is higher for those with more than a few years experience.  You are likely more profitable for the office that employs you if your experience is high.  Therefore, you would be entitled to a higher respiratory therapist salary.

3. The last factor that will determine your respiratory therapy salary is your ability to sell your skills to your future employer.  If they believe you know what you are talking about and if you negotiate a higher respiratory therapist salary then you will be compensated at a higher rate.

The job outlook for this career as a respiratory therapist is good.  If you are working as an RT and you have a degree and certifications then you are most likely to get the highest respiratory therapist salary.Also, remember to tout your intangibles other than your technical skills as a respiratory therapist.  This type of demonstration will increase your chances for the highest respiratory therapist salary possible.  Remember too, that a number of opportunities will be had outside of hospitals.

These jobs will be in home healthcare services, physician’s offices and in the employment services industry.  This is where you can work as a contractor.  This could yield a substantial respiratory therapist salary at least by the hour.

Read more about respiratory therapist salary information throughout this site.

An occupational therapist serves a patient to help improve their life by determining what the issues are and trying to come up with a plan to remedy those problems.  Occupational therapy requires the highest level of thoughtful care of a patient.

What is an Occupational Therapist?

An occupational therapist provides services to patients so that they may increase their ability to perform daily work and home tasks.  This treatment is generally approached in a holistic manner.  Individuals treated by an occupational therapist typically have some kind of mental or physical ailment that has caused them to have difficulty successfully carrying out tasks in their daily lives.   The OT is able to help patients with motor and reasoning abilities.  Many times individuals have a permanent loss of function and the occupational therapist can help them to cope.

For patients with a partial loss of the ability to carry out tasks, the OT can really help out.  This is achieved by assessing where the patient is in their motor skills and cognitive abilities.  Then they work with the patient to improve their motor skills and dexterity.  Over time the patient can benefit from the occupational therapy when they start to make progress.

The more unfortunate type of debilitating condition such as a spinal cord injury can also be helped with the assistance of an occupational therapist.  The OT typically introduces medical equipment and techniques that can help these patients cope with their permanent injury.

Occupational Therapist Specialty Areas:

Many occupational therapists focus on one area.  This area can have to do with working with the elderly, children, or patients that have dementia for example.  These individuals focus on this one area and really come to understand the benefits and setbacks to their population set.  This can be a true benefit to patients under their care due to the expertise an occupational therapist  acquires over time.

Occupational Therapist working conditions:

Most occupational therapists in the US work full time for one employer.  But there are plenty of opportunities to work for multiple employers filling in where needed.  There is a large need for occupational therapeutic services so the work is out there.  And the career is flexible because of the demand.  If a new parent decides to only work part time that should not be a difficult situation to create.

In general, occupational therapists are viewed as an important part of  the recovery and coping cycles for patients with mental, physical, and other disorders and conditions that cause complications with carrying out daily life tasks.  Occupational therapist treatment makes a large positive impact in people’s lives everyday.

If you are considering a career as an occupational therapist understand that you will have no day that is the same.  If you enjoy helping people increase their overall quality of life and happiness level, you may enjoy a career  as an occupational therapist.