Physical Therapists And Occupational Therapists

The average pay for an occupational therapy assistant is around forty to fifty thousand dollars, as stated in the occupational outlook handbook. It varies from state to state, but most OTA do earn around that number or more. The need for occupational therapy assistants is expected to grow 43 percent from 2012 to 2022, according to the occupational outlook handbook. It is increasing because of the growing elderly population and other disable patients. The need for occupational therapy assistants to assist occupational therapists is growing, because of the help they provide to treat

Depending on a person’s experience and knowledge, annual salaries may differ. “The average starting salary for a physical therapist assistant is $27,000 but the average of all was $44,130 in 2007 with experienced assistants earning up to $61,340. The salary for an occupational therapist was $58,080 in 2006 but some made as much as $80,000”, according to the American Medical Association (Allied). These numbers will definitely be an improvement on salaries that I have had in the past. With the current unemployment rate one must be looking to get into a career field where there is employment as well as financial security. A salary of $40,000 or more will make a big change in my lifestyle. This will allow me to live the lifestyle I want by helping others and having the salary to vacation wherever I like. With the current lifestyle that I am living this will be a great financial boost for me and my family.

There are several grey areas between physical therapy and occupational therapy. While both occupations focus on physical functions of the anatomy, their intentions vary. An occupational therapist’s mission is to improve physical functions so a person can work or participate in daily life. A physical therapist is tasked with diagnosing and treating physical ailments or injuries. The relationship between physical therapists and occupational therapists shows common characteristics, however; they are different in many ways. Some differences and similarities are the amount of required education, salary, licensing, and job duties.

With the job outlook of the physical therapy field being expected to grow by 34 percent by 2024, faster than the average occupation, the average annual wage at a whopping $84,020, paid sick and vacation days and the flexible work environment, this seems like the perfect profession to enter. Having a career in physical therapy can be very rewarding because a physical therapist gets to watch as his or her patients improve every appointment through treatment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in this profession. There are many disadvantages, and knowing these will help anyone interested in this field have a better understanding of how tough pursuing a career in this field can be. Being a physical therapist can be a rewarding experience and have amazing benefits. However, it is important to be aware of the disadvantages: the extreme amount of education, physical demands, emotional demands and the continuation of education requirements.

As a Physical Therapist Assistant on average they make $18.00 a hour. This is averaged out between beginners and those who have been working for long periods of time at the same location. As a full time employee the salary yearly is $37,000. However in many cases after being in the same job the hourly rate can go up to $34.00 a hour which is a huge increase in the yearly salary making it $72,000. However

The day I attended physical therapy for a broken arm was the day I wanted to get into physical therapy. It taught me techniques to help me regain control of something that I have lost temporary of like an arm or leg. That day when I attended physical therapy was the day my life changed and only for the better, I hope. This is a career which I want to pursue and become part of. To start my career I would like to become a physical therapist assistant to learn the fundamentals and then later, move to become a physical therapist, and maybe have someone assist me. But to become a physical therapist assistant or PTA one must complete a program and have excellent grades to achieve this goal. The physical therapy assistant is a graduate of a

A physical therapist and an occupational therapist are two job titles that people feel are the same but they are not. Physical therapists focus more on evaluating and diagnosing movement dysfunctions, whereas occupational therapists focus on evaluating and improving a person’s functional abilities. However, they both involve educating people on how to prevent and avoid injuries

Occupational therapy is a profession that is currently growing faster than anyone would have expected. Because of the increase in demands for occupational therapy services, therapists are having larger caseloads, needing the help of more occupational therapists. Occupational therapy in the mental health setting is one environment that has grown in popularity over the last decade. Knowing the benefits of occupational therapy in this setting, and the expansion of clients needing occupational therapy services, more funding needs to be established in this setting.

The opportunity to attend the Inter-OT School Legislative Workshop offered insight into the future Occupational Therapy (OT) in the United States and how I— a future therapist can advocate for change and ensure the future and strength of the profession. Within the 3-hour event, I gained a tremendous amount of understanding of OT’s future, various funding sources from the federal government, projected demands of the field in the future, and further insight to the critical work of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and its Director of Health Policy & State Affairs, Chuck Willmarth, CAE.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes an occupational therapist as one who treats patients who are ill, injured, or disabled by the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working (2014-15).The Occupational Handbook describes the many jobs of these occupational therapists in steps. It states that the process begins with observing patients, interviewing them, and reviewing medical history. Once they evaluate the patient’s condition and needs, they develop a treatment plan that includes various activities to help them accomplish specific goals (2014-15). Occupational therapists can help with various disabilities in patients of all ages. For example, if an autistic child struggles with pinching the buttons on a shirt in order to button them, a therapist could give the child tasks such as beading, in order to teach them to grasp using two fingers (Sheryl Bos interview). They can also aid patients in learning how to operate special equipment and even educate a patient’s family or teacher/employer on how to accommodate and care for them (Occupational Handbook 2014-15). OTs can work in many settings as well. They are able to work in educational setting as well as mental settings. With this range, OTs can work in hospitals, schools, rehab centers, home health, or nursing care facilities (Occupational Handbook 2014-15). In order to become successful occupational therapists, the

There are many things that you have to be able to do to be a occupational therapist. You have to be able to “Test and evaluate patients ' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients” ("Occupational Therapists."Ohio Means Jobs ). This means that you have to be able to figure out your patient 's physical and mental abilities and you have to know what is best for your patient.

With every job comes different amounts of pay. In my opinion, PT’s are no downfall in the payroll. Another bonus to being a PT is that in a way, you determine your pay by how you treat your patients. If your patients are treated well you will have repeat business, and with repeat business comes more work, and more pay to follow. Physical therapists have a salary range between $54,000 and $110,000 according to 2011 statistics. That's more than registered nurses and occupational therapists. PT’s average $78,270.00, as occupational therapy averages $74,000 and massage therapists a whopping $36,000. The highest paid in the physical therapist profession work is in the metropolitan areas of Texas, in El Paso and McAllen pay well. and Fairbanks, AK. Fairbanks in Arkansas and Sioux City in Iowa are great paying cities too.

Physical therapy focuses in more on larger movement, increasing mobility and strength, and physically preparing a patient as best as they can to move around in the world. While an occupational therapist also helps a patient dealing with movement, occupational therapy focuses more on fine motor skills and teaching a patient skills necessary for increased independence so they don't have to rely on others as

A physical therapist works with many different people to reduce pain and improve flexibility. PT’s first evaluate a patient based on what happened to them. Later, they create a personalized treatment for the patient based on what happened to them. They work in clinics, hospitals, sports facilities and many more locations. The average pay of a physical therapist is $80,000 dollars a year which depends on experience and location. To become a physical therapist, you must get a four year undergraduate degree. Then you must get a graduate degree from a physical therapy program. Finally a PT must pass a national licensure exam to be able to practice. This career relates to sports medicine because many PT’s work with athletes that have gotten injured

Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather then by drug or surgery. Physical therapist are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who help patients reduce the pain they have and help improve or restore their mobility. PTs work in many different setting including high schools, hospitals, outpatient Clinique, etc. To become a physical therapist I'll need a graduate degree- either a masters or clinical doctorate - from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure exam. There is currently 199 colleges and universities nationwide that support 212 accredited professions physical therapy programs.