Careers in therapeutic rehabilitation have an excellent job outlook with growth rates more than 33 percent higher than the average of all other occupations.
Due primarily to increased life expectancy for men and women, the aging “baby boom” generation and advancements in medical technology, the demand for rehabilitation services is expected to grow much faster compared to other occupations in general. More specifically, these health care services are physical and occupational therapy.
Physical therapists (PT’s) and occupational therapists (OT’s) both have their respective counterparts - PT assistants (PTA’s) and OT assistants (OTA’s). Together all four function as the primary players in a rehabilitation services team. Each type of therapist works with their assistant in a relationship that is ideally characterized by mutual respect and trust.
In addition to providing care as instructed by their guiding therapist, the assistants give feedback and recommendations regarding patient treatment. Here is a closer look at who these therapeutic professionals are and why it’s an excellent career choice getting into this field of health care.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist (PT) is a skilled health care professional who holds at least a bachelor’s degree, or as the recent academic criteria necessitates, a graduate degree (either master’s or doctorate). By 2020 a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree will be required to become a PT. Furthermore, the APTA takes into account achievement of a graduate degree as the minimal academic requirement for physical therapists who earned a degree from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program following 2003. Upon passing the National Physical Therapy Examination, physical therapists can be licensed or in some cases registered to practice in the state he or she chooses. As members of the rehabilitation team, physical therapists are in charge of patient screening, assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, teaching, setting up a care plan, and referrals to other providers to address incapacities and disabilities.
What is the Job Outlook for Physical Therapists?
According to the United States Department of Labor and Bureau of Statistics, jobs for physical therapists are projected to increase through 2020 at a rate of almost 40 percent. Even in the more distant future, the need for physical therapists should keep on climbing as the rise in the amount of people with physical impairments or reduced functionality stimulates demand for rehabilitative care. The increasing population is especially prone to on-going and incapacitating ailments that necessitate physical therapy. Additionally, the baby boomer generation is getting to the age where they’re at higher risk of cardiovascular events, boosting the demand for rehabilitation. Job growth for PT’s may also come from breakthroughs in medical technology that would enable the treatment of more debilitating afflictions. Furthermore, growing enthusiasm in health & wellness promotion should improve the need for physical therapists in corporations and workplaces as a preventative measure.
Physical Therapy Assistant
The physical therapy assistant (PTA) is a specially trained health care worker who helps the PT in various facets physical therapy. The PTA can hold an associate in science (AS) or an associate in applied science (AAS) degree from an accredited physical therapy assistant program. After passing the National Physical Therapy Examination, given by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, PTA’s can be licensed in the state he or she will be employed.
What is the Job Outlook for Physical Therapy Assistants?
Even more than PT’s, job growth for PTA’s is projected to expand towards the year 2020 at a rate of 45 percent. The factors behind increased employment opportunities for PTA’s parallels that of PT’s as previously outlined.
Occupational Therapist
A registered or licensed occupational therapist (OTR/OTL) is a rehabilitation service professional who has at least a bachelor’s degree. Though, as of 2007, the requirement has become a master’s degree or higher. To acquire a license to practice as an OT, you have to complete an accredited OT graduate program and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Occupational therapists treat patients help restore their functionality in carrying out activities associated with daily living and work. OT’s work with people who have afflictions that are psychologically and/or physically debilitating. They help patients to increase their general motor skills and comprhension capacities, as well as counterbalance any long-term deficit in functionality.
What is the Job Outlook for Occupational Therapists?
The largest employer of occupational therapists are hospitals, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additional places of employment for OT’s are private health care practices, government agencies, academic institutions and nursing homes or community care centers. Though not quite as high compared to physical therapy, employment of occupational therapists is still expected to increase 33 percent faster than the average for all occupations through 2020. Medical centers will keep employing a a great deal of OT’s to deliver therapeutic treatment to patients in an acute care setting. These healthcare facilities will additionally require occupational therapists to help lead their outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapist assistants typically are required to finish an associate’s degree or certificate program from an accredited college, university or vocational school. In most states OTA practice is regulated which requires passing a national certification exam upon graduation to become an OTA. These therapeutic care providers operate under the supervision and guidance of occupational therapists in delivering rehabilitative treatment to persons with development, physical or psychological disabilities. OTA’s share the same employment setting as OT’s.
What is the Job Outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Job outlook for occupational therapist assistants is predicted to increase by 41 percent towards the year 2020 compared to the average for all occupations. This increase will correspond to the same factors as those responsible for occupational therapist job growth.
