Rehabilitation ~ What is it? Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Anne Comber Madison, MS, PTAssistant Facility Director

Rehabilitation Services Department

UPMC Shadyside Hospital

Rehabilitation: What is it?

Rehabilitation = Treatment designed to restore some or all of a patient’s physical, sensory, and mental capabilities that were lost due to injury, illness, or disease. It can reverse many disabling conditions or can help patients cope with deficits that cannot be reversed by medical care. It is achieved by restoring the patient's physical functions and/or modifying the patient's physical and social environment. Physical Therapy* Occupational Therapy* Speech/Language Pathology

*Listed in Top 30 of America’s Best Careers of 2009 per U.S. News and World Report

What is Physical Therapy?

Allied medical career that focuses on promoting the patient’s ability to move, reducing pain, restoring function and preventing disability.

Work in many different settings & with many different age groups

Hospital, Rehab Facility, Skilled Nursing Facility, Assisted Living, Home Health, School, Education/Research, Outpatient, Sports Medicine --just to name a few!

Physical Therapist

Doctorate in Physical Therapy entry level degree (DPT) from an accredited program

Academic post-graduate work with clinical internships in a variety of settings

Training has an extensive clinical focus with a research base

Most schools require volunteer hours; prerequisites vary by school but are science-based

Must be licensed to practice in Pennsylvania (state exam)

Need to obtain continuing education credits to maintain credentials

What do Physical Therapists do?

Evaluate and Examine Examples of PT treatment

Gait Training Therapeutic Exercise Balance/Coordination Training Functional Transfer Training Modalities i.e. heat, ice, ultrasound, electric stimulation,

etc.. Patient Education

Just to name a few………..

Physical Therapy Career

Jobs are wide spread and PT’s are in demand

Average annual income (depending on the setting & location): $50,000-70,000

Not shift oriented, normally office hours with some weekend coverage

Physical Therapy Assistants

Associate Degree level of education Can also work in a variety of practice settings Must work under the direction and supervision of a

licensed PT Must pass a national exam for

licensure/certification/registration Can perform treatments (no evaluations). Average annual income (depending on

setting/location): $30,000-40,000

What is Occupational Therapy?

Allied medical career that focuses on patient’s functional independence in everyday life activities and the overall improvement of their quality of life

Training has an extensive clinical focus with a research base

Work in many different settings & with many different age groups

Hospital, Rehab Facility, Skilled Nursing Facility, Work Hardening, Home Health, School, Daycare, Outpatient, Private Practice, Mental Health, Community Settings --just to name a few!

Occupational Therapists

Masters in Occupational Therapy entry level degree moving towards doctoral level

Academic classroom work followed by fieldwork education in a variety of settings

Most schools require relevant volunteer hours; prerequisite courses vary but are science-based

Must be licensed & board certified to practice in Pennsylvania (national exam)

CEU’s required to maintain national registry

What do Occupational Therapist’s do? Evaluation Interventions

Activities of daily life = ADL’s (bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking, cleaning, driving etc…)

Functional transfer training (chair, couch, tub, car) Therapeutic Exercise Splinting Patient Education (home safety, energy conservation, etc) Recommendations for use of adaptive equipment, durable

medical equipment Sensory Integration Cognitive Training Visual-perceptual Training Home Modification

Occupational Therapy –Career

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average and job opportunities should be good, especially for therapists treating the elderly.

Annual average income (dependent on setting/location): $50,000-60,000

Not shift oriented, normally office hours with weekend coverage

Occupational Therapist Assistants

Associate Degree level of education Variety of practice settings Still need to be licensed & board certified Require supervision by a therapist Collaborate with occupational therapist Cannot complete evaluations, only

treatments. Annual average salary (dependent on

location/setting): $30,000-40,000

Questions…?

Check out: www.aota.org www.apta.org www.usnews.com/money/careers

Interested in shadowing experiences? …Call Shadyside Volunteer Office at: 412-623-2017Call Rehab Services at: 412-623-2067

THANK YOU!