Therapy Careers
Physical Therapy Assistant (LPTA)
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistants (LPTAs) provide one more level of
treatment to help fulfill a patient's recovery needs. A Licensed Physical
Therapy Assistant is a paraprofessional health worker who works under
the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist in evaluating
the patient, implementing treatment programs according to the plan of
care, and documenting patient treatment and responses. Physical Therapy
Assistants also help teach and motivate patients to use crutches, prostheses,
and wheelchairs to perform daily activities. An Associate’s degree
is required.
Additional Information:
explorehealthcareers.org
About.com: Health Careers
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alabama Health Careers
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists care for all types of patients ranging from accident
victims to disabled individuals with conditions such as multiple sclerosis
or cerebral palsy. Physical Therapists improve mobility, relieve pain,
and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering
from injuries or diseases. To do so, they evaluate patients' medical history,
test and measure their strengths, range of motion, and ability to function
and develop and implement treatment plans. Physical Therapists also teach
and motivate patients to use crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs to
show them how to exercise at home. A Doctorate is required.
Additional Information:
explorehealthcareers.org
About.com: Health Careers
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alabama Health Careers
State of Alabama Board of Physical Therapy
Athletic Trainer
Behind virtually every athlete who leads a team to victory is a dedicated
Athletic Trainer standing on the sidelines. These health care professionals
focus on treating athletes to help them with all their physical needs,
from tennis elbows to sprained ankles. Skilled in all areas of the athletic
activity, an Athletic Trainer assists with the evaluation of injuries,
emergency care, and even rehabilitation. Other responsibilities may include
nutritional planning and understanding of the emotional needs of an injured
athlete. Employment for an Athletic Trainer may come from hospitals, high
schools, colleges, and universities, sports medicine clinics, or other avenues.
Additional Information:
explorehealthcareers.org
About.com: Sports Careers
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alabama Health Careers
National Association of Athletic Trainers
Occupational Therapist
Some accidents and diseases can require more than a short stay in the hospital
to get back to a desired level of functioning. Occupational Therapists
not only help patients improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities;
they also help them adjust to permanent loss of function (such as people
who become paralyzed). The Occupational Therapist's goal is to help patients
have independent, productive, and satisfying lifestyles. For those with
permanent functional disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral
palsy, or muscular dystrophy, Occupational Therapists provide such adaptive
equipment as wheelchairs, splints, and aids for eating and dressing. They
also design or make special equipment needed at home or work. A Master’s
degree is required.
Additional Information:
explorehealthcareers.org
About.com: Health Careers
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alabama Health Careers
Alabama Occupational Therapy Association
Respiratory Therapist
Though critical to keeping us alive, breathing from one minute to the next
isn't something most people think about. As a result of their job requirement,
Respiratory Therapists spend time studying this very common activity.
Respiratory Therapists evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing
disorders. An Associate’s degree is required.
Additional Information:
explorehealthcareers.org
About.com: Career Planning
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alabama Health Careers
American Association for Respiratory Care
Speech/Language Pathology
Speech/Language Pathologists assess and treat patients with speech, language,
voice, and fluency disorders. They work with people who cannot make speech
sounds or cannot make them clearly, those with speech rhythm and fluency
problems like stuttering, people with speech quality problems like inappropriate
pitch or harsh voice, and those with problems understanding and producing
language. They may also work with people who have oral motor problems
that cause eating and swallowing difficulties. In medical facilities,
they may work with physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other
therapists to develop and execute a treatment plan. A Bachelor’s
degree is required.
Additional Information:
explorehealthcareers.org
About.com: Career Planning
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alabama Health Careers
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association