Physical Therapist HQ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com Physical Therapy, PTA, and PT Aide Headquarters Sun, 24 Mar 2013 08:14:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Demand Is Continuing To Grow For Physical Therapy Assistants http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/demand-is-continuing-to-grow-for-physical-therapy-assistants/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/demand-is-continuing-to-grow-for-physical-therapy-assistants/#comments Sun, 24 Mar 2013 08:14:09 +0000 Anna http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=250 Although there are a lot of new college graduates who are having difficulty finding a job, that isn’t the case for physical therapy assistants. Despite the tough economical times, several medical professions including this one is growing. The benefit of becoming a physical therapist assistant is that not only is it easy to find a job right after graduation, but also you will have the luxury to pick what particular setting you want to work in.

 

Why are physical therapist assistants in demand and continuing to be in demand? Well there are many reasons why. For one, the population in the U.S. is growing and isn’t getting any smaller. Plus, the baby boomers are now aging and will require more health care. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 45% employment growth for physical therapist assistants from 2010 to 2020. This is a very high rate; almost at 50%.

 

Although physical therapists are the ones who create a treatment plan for patients in need of physical therapy, physical therapist assistants are the ones who work directly with patients to carry out the plans. So essentially, physical therapist assistants are an important part of the medical team. In some parts of the U.S., entry levels salaries for these assistants start at $40,000 to $50,000 annually.

 

Of course, physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of physical therapists. They are tasked with helping patients restore their movement after a surgery, illness, or injury. You can find these assistants working in outpatient centers, nursing facilities, hospitals, clinics, private practices, and rehab clinics.

 

The main goal of physical therapy assistants is to improve the movement and function of a patient. But certainly, this will change from patient to patient, depending on what their condition is. For instance, improving the movement and function of an athlete means bringing that individual back to competition level. While for those who are suffering from a chronic illness, improving their function may simply mean helping them become strong enough to be able to shop at the grocery or even to get out of bed.

 

To become a physical therapy assistant, you will need to obtain a two-year associate’s degree that consists of physical therapy classes and training. The job will also require you to be compassionate especially since you will be dealing with helping different patients every day.

 

Bottom line is, if you are looking for a career that offers security and stability, then a career as a physical therapy assistant is it. The demand is continuing to grow so you can be assured of a secure job for years to come. But of course, this job can be challenging as well so you need to be prepared to face the challenges of the job. The good news is, if you are looking for a second career, this could also be an option for your. More and more individuals who were forced out of their jobs have been looking at other careers to pursue and many have been successful with a physical therapy assistant career.

 

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]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/demand-is-continuing-to-grow-for-physical-therapy-assistants/feed/ 0 How Physical Therapy Treats and Cures Female Incontinence Without Medicine http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/how-physical-therapy-treats-and-cures-female-incontinence-without-medicine/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/how-physical-therapy-treats-and-cures-female-incontinence-without-medicine/#comments Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:22:11 +0000 Anna http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=247 Incontinence is a common condition that individuals suffer from. In most cases, it is more likely to happen in women than in men. Incontinence is the involuntary release of urine or stool. This may occur when one coughs, jogs, sneezes, or laughs. There are even instances when one has the sudden urge to go to the bathroom but isn’t able to make it there in time. Although these problems usually don’t cause serious health problems, it can be quite embarrassing.

 

Incontinence is usually a short-term issue that is caused by a urinary tract infection, constipation, or medicine. Two major types of incontinence include urge incontinence, which is when you feel the urge to go to the bathroom but can’t make it in time; and stress incontinence, which takes place when you jog, laugh, cough, sneeze, or do other things that applies pressure to your bladder. Either way, these two types both lead to the same outcome.

 

How does physical therapy help in treating incontinence?

Patients who are suffering from female incontinence will be asked by a physical therapist to keep a journal or a “bladder diary.” The patient will need to write down for a week how frequently she went to the bathroom, when she experiences accidents, and what possibly triggered the accident. When the patient comes back, the therapist will have a better idea of what is causing the problem.

 

Bladder retraining

Bladder retraining is one of the treatments that a physical therapist will recommend to treat female incontinence. Essentially this treatment is meant to help patients control their bladder instead of their bladder controlling them. The therapist will create a plan for the patient that consists of scheduled bathroom visits as well as behavior modification, depending on the results from the bladder diary. Part of the plan may include changes in diet and helping the patient change her behavior. Each patient can expect a different plan for them.

 

Exercises to prevent incontinence

To help control and support the bladder, physical therapists may recommend pelvic floor muscle exercises. These are more commonly known as Kegel exercises, which are very easy to do. A patient can do them sitting, standing, or lying down without anyone even noticing that they are doing it. A lot of women perform this exercise before, after, and during pregnancy to keep their muscles strong for bladder support. Taking the time to do these exercises constantly will help prevent and treat incontinence.

 

Physical therapy can certainly treat female incontinence without the use of medicine. However, physical therapy might not work for all patients and the amount of time it takes to regain bladder control varies from person to person. Although it may take months for the bladder to go back to normal, patients will usually see improvement in just a short while. Normally that is about three to four weeks. Keep in mind though that no matter how small the changes are; this is a big difference and will enable a woman to feel more in control.

Image courtesy of marin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/how-physical-therapy-treats-and-cures-female-incontinence-without-medicine/feed/ 0 Great Areas For Physical Therapists To Specialize In http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/great-areas-for-physical-therapists-to-specialize-in/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/great-areas-for-physical-therapists-to-specialize-in/#comments Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:19:21 +0000 Anna http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=242 Deciding to become a physical therapist is the first step. But just like many other medical professions, there are a lot of specialty areas in the physical therapy field. So if you were looking at pursuing this career, it would also be good to know about the different specializations so that you can decide what specialty you want. Here you will find the most common specializations in physical therapy. Hopefully, you will get a better idea of what you would like to specialize in.

 

Neurological Physical Therapy

Neurological physical therapists handle patients who suffer from a neurological disease or disorder. These conditions include a stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, brain injury, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease. Usually, individuals who suffer from these disorders experience loss of independence, difficulty walking, poor balance, vision impairment, and paralysis. As a neurological physical therapist, you will be helping these patients improve in those problem areas.

 

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Orthopedic physical therapists handle, diagnose, and treat individuals suffering from injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. These therapists also manage patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery. Often, those in this specialty are seen in the out-patient setting. As an orthopedic physical therapist, you will be trained to treat amputations, arthritis, sports injuries, post-operative joints, and other conditions and injuries. The treatment options offered include electrical simulation, cold compresses, hot compresses, strength training, and joint mobilization.

 

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapists help in early detection of health conditions. They also manage, diagnose, and treat adolescents, children, and infants who are suffering from different kinds of diseases, disorders, and injuries affecting the joints, bones, and muscles. The treatments offered by these therapists focus on enhancing motor skills, integration, cognitive & sensory processing, strength & endurance, and balance & coordination. Some of the conditions include torticollis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.

 

Geriatric Physical Therapy

Geriatric physical therapists deal with various issues that are experienced by individuals who are going through the normal aging process. These conditions consist of incontinence, balance disorders, hip and joint replacement, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and arthritis. As a geriatric physical therapist, you will need to create programs for each patient to help them increase fitness, reduce pain, and restore mobility.

 

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Therapy

There are also physical therapists that specialize in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. They treat all sorts of patients who are suffering from cardiopulmonary conditions and also those who have just undergone pulmonary or cardiac surgery. As a therapist in this field, it is your goal to improve patient functional independence and endurance.

 

As you can see, there are so many different great areas that you can specialize in if you choose to enter a career as a physical therapist. Of course, you don’t have to decide what path you want to take right away. Chances are, you will keep changing your mind while studying, which is perfectly normal. No need to rush because throughout the process of becoming a physical therapist, you will be able to determine what specialization is for you.

Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/great-areas-for-physical-therapists-to-specialize-in/feed/ 0 Physical Therapists Heal Without Surgery http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/physical-therapists-heal-without-surgery/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/physical-therapists-heal-without-surgery/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:28:52 +0000 Anna http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=236 Physical therapy is a kind of treatment that can one may need when certain health conditions make it difficult for an individual to move around and perform daily tasks. It enables one to move better and it relieves pain. In addition, physical therapy helps restore or improve physical one’s physical function and fitness level. Essentially, physical therapists are there to help make everyday activities and tasks easier to do. For instance, it could assist with getting out of bed, going up stairs, or walking.

 

By pursuing a career as a physical therapist, you will be able to help others recover from certain surgeries. Physical therapy is often recommended for long-term health issues and injuries that include back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ligament or tendon problems, spinal stenosis, multiple sclerosis, COPD, and Parkinson’s disease.

 

Although some injuries are quite severe and may require physical therapy, physical therapists can help individuals heals without the need to undergo surgery. For instance, as a therapist, you can help a patient recover from an injury, as well as help them avoid future injuries by minimizing the pain in their soft tissues, enhancing their function and flexibility, and by building their muscle strength. It will be your job to evaluate the condition of the patient so you can recommend how he/she can do a certain activity without resulting in injury. Meniscus tear, back pain, and planter fasciitis are all conditions that physical therapists can heal without surgery.

 

Physical therapists can also help individuals who suffer from chronic conditions. Those who are suffering from ongoing health problems can make it manageable through physical therapy. It will be your job to work with patients to set goals and create a program that consists of endurance and strength training activities to help the individual. Some of the chronic illnesses that physical therapy can help with include vertigo, multiple sclerosis, temporomandibular problems, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and spinal stenosis.

 

There are some conditions that consist of multiple body systems that can bring about serious disability. Such problems include cardiopulmonary problems, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke. Healthcare professionals that include physical therapists handle these issues. Therapists are responsible for addressing problems with mobility, endurance, strength, range of motion, and safety.

 

As you can see, physical therapists are able to help patients manage injuries and conditions without having to undergo surgery. Treatment can be performed in a hospital, clinic, home, school, or even in a fitness setting. Essentially it will be your job to examine the patient so that you can create a suitable treatment plan. Each individual has a different health problem, so each plan may be different per patient. You will help with balance, coordination, endurance, strength, and flexibility, which are all important features that help us perform our every day functions.

 

Most treatment plans consist of exercise including stretching, weight lifting, and walking. It could also include manual therapy and other techniques that consist of electrical stimulation, ultrasound, water, cold, and heat.

 

By becoming a physical therapist, you can help many individuals improve their daily functions. The best part is, you could even fix the problem so that they don’t have to undergo surgery. If you are interested in this career, learn more about it through this site.

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]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/physical-therapists-heal-without-surgery/feed/ 0 How Hard Is It To Get Into Physical Therapy School? http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/how-hard-is-it-to-get-into-physical-therapy-school/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/how-hard-is-it-to-get-into-physical-therapy-school/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:45:05 +0000 Anna http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=231 Are considering pursuing a career as a physical therapist? Then one of the questions that is most likely lingering in your mind is how hard it is to get into a physical therapy school. This is something you should be thinking about as early as high school to ensure that you are taking the right courses that will help you get into a good school. Ensuring you get into physical therapy school means that you need to do more than just the basic requirements. Showing that you are a competitive candidate will certainly be to your advantage. Remember, that there are a lot of other students applying so you need to make sure your application stands out.

 

When applying to physical therapy school, you will probably be applying into a competitive entry program. It has been common for physical therapy programs to receive five or ten times more qualified applicants than they have available slots for, so being qualified is extremely important to ensure that you will secure a spot. Because of the high amount of qualified candidates applying to physical therapy school, only about 10% to 20% of these qualified candidates get accepted. So, you can say that getting into a physical therapy program can be quite tough.

 

What does this mean for you? Well if you really want to become a physical therapist, then you need to study hard in high school. Make sure that you take all the courses necessary and get good grades. Even if the minimum GPA requirement to get into physical therapy school is a 3.0, most of the individuals who apply have a GPA of 3.6 so you will need to fall under that range or even higher to be certain of your acceptance to the school.

 

These days, more physical therapy schools want to ensure that they are choosing the right candidates so they often require an interview, an essay, and team building work to help them in the evaluation process. Each school has different admission processes so it is important to know the right procedure for the different schools you will be applying to.

 

For now, you can start by taking up advanced science courses in high school and devote yourself to physical fitness activities. This way you can showcase how important physical therapy is in your life. When it is time for you to apply to college, you need to consider programs that offer a four-year bachelor’s degree. Ideally, you should go ahead and apply to the top schools of your choice so that you will have a back-up in the event that you don’t get accepted in your first choice.

 

So long as you are hard working and do the admission process then getting into physical therapy school won’t be a problem for you. Just remember to keep a grade higher than the norm to be competitive against the other candidates. In just a few years, you will be on your way to living your dream of being a physical therapist.

 

Image courtesy of Praisaeng / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/how-hard-is-it-to-get-into-physical-therapy-school/feed/ 0 Occupational Therapy Schools http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapy-schools/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapy-schools/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:18:54 +0000 Mike http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=193 Occupational therapy schools can be difficult to be accepted into.  Let me outline some of the prerequisites you may want to have before applying for OT school.  You will likely get credit for any observation you have attended with a licensed occupational therapist.  Good grades coupled with a history of volunteering will increase your chances of getting accepted into an occupational therapy school.

 

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

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapy-schools/feed/ 0 Respiratory Therapist Jobs http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/respiratory-therapist-jobs/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/respiratory-therapist-jobs/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:14:06 +0000 Mike http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=191 Respiratory therapist jobs are plentiful in theUnited States.  In fact there are over 100,000 respiratory therapists working in theUStoday.  With more of a breakdown there are approximately 8 out of 10 of these jobs in hospital settings.  They work in anesthesiology, respiratory care, and pulmonary specialty care.  There is a small percentage of these respiratory therapist jobs in physician offices.  Another area that shows a blip on the radar is for therapists that are employed by medical device and equipment companies.

 

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.

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/respiratory-therapist-jobs/feed/ 0 Occupational Therapist Salary http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapist-salary/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapist-salary/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:08:02 +0000 Mike http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=189 Occupational therapist salary range is quite good now.  An occupational therapy salary ranges from mid $50k to lower $80k.  Much of the amount one gets paid is determined by the geographical location, level of skill, and type of professional setting the position resides.

 

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.

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapist-salary/feed/ 0 What Is Occupational Therapy? http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/what-is-occupational-therapy/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/what-is-occupational-therapy/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:19:57 +0000 Mike http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=183 What is occupational therapy? This type of therapy has to do with helping individuals with tasks they may need to complete. There are similarities to physical therapy and occupational therapy.  When referring to occupational therapy this has more to do with the type of therapy that has a goal of helping a patient complete or carry out a specific task.  This can be as simple as helping someone with carpal tunnel syndrome rehab and use proper form and even a brace to prevent future injury after healing has occurred. This encompasses a more holistic approach than simple physical therapy.  If someone asks you what is occupational therapy you may know that it isn’t as simple as a one sentence answer.

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.

]]> http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/what-is-occupational-therapy/feed/ 0 Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapy-assistant-salary/ http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/occupational-therapy-assistant-salary/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:06:02 +0000 Mike http://www.physicaltherapisthq.com/?p=175 Occupational therapy assistant salary ranges are excellent right now.  The reason for this is that there are many people in need of ota services.  This high demand has caused a shortage in the supply of qualified occupational therapist assistants available for hire.  If you are an OTA this is a good thing.

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.

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