1. Rehabilitative Careers

2. Rehabilitation Team
* The rehabilitation team includes physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, counselors, pharmacists, orthotists, and prosthetists who provide services designed to overcome physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional disabilities.

3. *The disabilities include impaired muscle strength, physical endurance, sensory or muscle coordination, concentration, and spatial discrimination.
*The rehab team works closely with the patient and family members to restore these functions

4. Qualities of the Rehabilitative Health Care Worker:
* Optimism
* Creativity
* Persistence
* Ability to work with a variety of people

5. Physical Therapist (PT)
* Work to restore function, relieve pain, & prevent disability after disease, injury,
or loss of a body part.
*May specialize in areas of practice:
- rehabilitation
- community health
- sports
- research
- education
- administration

6. Physical Therapist (PT)
*Physical therapists may work for a hospital or other health care facility or practice privately.
*Education:
Masters or Doctoral degree is preferred
*Physical therapists are licensed by the state
*Salary: $58,000 - $130,000

7. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
*Work under the supervision of the physical therapist, help carry out prescribed plans of treatment
*Duties: Perform exercises & massage; administer heat, cold, hydrotherapy; assist patients in ambulation with canes, crutches, or braces; inform Physical Therapist of patients’ responses & progress
*Education: Associate degree at a community college
*Salary: $24,000 - $50,000
*Licensure is required in most states

8. Occupational Therapist (OT)
*The Occupational Therapist helps patients reach the highest level of independent living by overcoming physical injury, birth defects, aging, or emotional & developmental problems
*Use activities to help a person develop, maintain, or regain skills that enable satisfying & independent living
*Evaluate patients, plan a program, and supervise or provide treatment

9. Occupational Therapist (OT)
*Education: Bachelor’s degree, minimum of 6 months clinical
training, & national exam
-Masters & Doctorate degrees are available
*Licensure is required
*Salary: $61,000 - $112,000

10. Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
*Work under the direction of the Occupational Therapist
*Assist with activities to help patients & carry out programs of prescribed treatment
*Education: Associate degree
*Licensure or certification (COTA) required
*Salary: $38,000 to $74,000

11. Orthotist & Prosthetist
*Orthotist: Provide services for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs or spine. They design, fabricate, & fit braces or strengthening apparatus
*Prosthetist: Provide care to patients with partial or total absence of a limb who use an artificial limb (prosthesis)
*Education: Bachelor’s degree, 1 year of clinical experience,
Certification exam

12. Athletic Trainer
*Work under the supervision of the team physician in a variety of amateur & professional sports
*Can be at high school, college, or professional level
*Role includes prevention of injury & emergency treatment
*Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree
*Licensure & Certification required in most states
*Salary: $35,000 - $79,000

13. Speech & Language Pathologist/Therapist
*Identify, evaluate, and treat patients with speech and language disorders
*Treat disorders such as delayed language development, inability to speak (aphasia), stuttering, and articulation problems
*Education: Master’s degree and internship
*Salary: $53,000 to $155,000

14. Respiratory Therapist (RT)
*Evaluate patients to administer respiratory care and operate life support equipment under the supervision of the physician
*Education: Associates degree
* Licensure required in most states (all except Hawaii & Alaska)
*Salary: $52,000 - $155,000