Official Therapist Blog

Occupational Therapy Resources Abound in iPad’s New App - The Little Book of Feelings

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 01.11.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Apple iPad, Career Tips, Gadgets, Occupational Therapy, Product Reviews, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Top Therapy Blogs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, iPad Apps

Zuuka, a full service in house production company responsible for audio books and popular actionbox games, has something new to offer occupational therapists: an app for the Apple iPad, specifically designed for children.  “The Little Book of Feelings” supplies children’s literature and an array of related activities that OTs can use during occupational therapy sessions; it’s generating quite the buzz in consumer news aimed at occupational therapists. Memory games, digital coloring books and a special composition tool allow the child to better understand and relate to situations and people; the iPad app can also be used by parents and teachers, making it, so far as occupational therapy resources go, a total win-win!

Are you an OT who keeps pace with technological trends?

Rapid advancement in your occupational therapist career is assured with the help of top-notch therapy career resources. Secure a successful therapist job today, by calling 1-800 617-0608, or apply online. Travel Force offers resources and information that keep your occupational therapy license, continuing education, and career needs on perfect track. We also cover cutting edge topics, relevant in today’s healthcare landscape. Subscribe to our blog and stay connected!

More Occupational Therapy blogs:

• Healthcare Staffing Jobs Spike Creates Record Breaking Demand for Occupational and Physical Therapists
• Electronic Textbooks Take a Step Closer to Reality

Travel Force Staffing® provides therapist recruitment solutions for America’s top rated rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient and Rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, and private therapy practices located in all 50 U.S. states. Our experienced team of staffing experts place physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, per diem staff, and other allied healthcare professionals into therapy careers nationwide. Contact us today for instant access to cutting edge recruitment technology, therapy career resources, news, and information.

Occupational Therapists Are Essential in Helping Children with Sensory Processing Disorder

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 12.06.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, Video, Videos

SPD a condition that falls under Autism Spectrum Disorder

Occupational therapy careers are essential in treating patients with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)—a condition diagnosed at an early age in patients experiencing difficulties in using their senses, from cognitive disabilities, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, cochlear implants or—for the majority of adolescents with SPD—autism.

Are you an Occupational Therapist with the key?

Occupational therapy is key in unlocking how the senses work and how autistic children process information using the 5 senses. In OT jobs, you can take your occupational therapist career in many different directions; if your goal is to work with adolescent patients with SPD, be prepared to do the following during therapy sessions:

• Administer standardized tests
• Conduct clinical observations and interviews
• Promote all aspects of body awareness
• Initiate ideas that put patients in action
• Help patients anticipate, as well as execute unfamiliar motor actions.

Sobering Autism Statistics Mean Occupational Therapists are in High Demand

With new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that an average of 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it’s clear that therapists trained to help patients with ASD are in high demand.

If your clinical expertise shines brightest in helping young patients become more independent in dressing, feeding themselves, staying safe in the community, enjoying social interactions—basically learning to thrive in the everyday—than taking on cases of Sensory Processing Disorder is ideal. The video provided here, features a snapshot of a day-in-the-life of a successful occupational therapist, addressing the needs of very young patients, with conditions classified as ASD.

Studies on Sensory Processing Disorder Grab Attention from Occupational Therapists

Newborns have different tolerances for sensory stimulation; studies show that preemies are often hypersensitive enough to sight, sound or touch, that over stimulation creates changes in vital signs. As children grow, differences in their sensory experiences can affect their behavior and learning—ample opportunity for an occupational therapist to step in and correct deficits and abnormalities in learning skills. Therapists working with SPD patients may work in three different subtypes of the disorder:

• Sensory modulation disorder
• Sensory discrimination disorder
• Sensory-based motor disorder

What do these different categories have in common? They all involve some kind of disruption in learning. Occupational therapy is the key to grounding the patient, by helping him understand his body’s location in space; and to better function in and understand the world around us all. While occupational therapists help patients avoid problematic situations, it is also their job to open doors patients may previously have viewed as being closed.

Open Doors for Somebody today! Use Travel Force as the Ultimate Job Finder and Best in Occupational Therapy Career Resources

Link into continuously updated career resources, like license and credentialing links at Travel Force. As a travel therapist you have the opportunity to make your mark in award winning hospitals from coast to coast. Call a Travel Force recruiter at 1-800-617-0608 or apply online today. Nationwide Occupational Therapy jobs are waiting to be filled by OTs just like you!

Occupational Therapy Resources:

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) provides a wealth of data concerning emerging healthcare trends in treating autism spectrum disorders, which include a large number of SPD cases. Occupational Therapists are encouraged to bookmark the AOTA site if they’re looking for news, conference sessions, articles, books, research, or other autism resources.

Footnote: The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation offers information for parents of children in occupational therapy to treat this condition and others associated with ASD.

Are You a Speech Language Pathology Grad Looking for Top CFY Jobs?

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.07.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, CFY, Career Tips, How To's, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

Find Clinical Fellowship Year Jobs now and start the therapy career you’ve been waiting for!

At Travel Force Staffing, our recruitment experts are poised to deliver career resources that guide speech language pathologists in achieving just about anything. Highly successful allied healthcare professionals who benefit from our services know how critical a Clinical Fellowship Year job (CFY) is in the beginning stages of a therapy career, and encourage those just starting out in SLP jobs to use our wealth of health marketplace information for the answers they seek.

Q: How do I find high-paying CFY jobs?

A: First step is to register online and complete an application today! Candidates who work with Travel Force gain access to career options in their chosen field, enjoying top pick and pay in facilities that include hospitals, outpatient centers and clinics. Just like any other full-time therapy job, Travel Force CFY jobs come with a generous benefits package.

As a Clinical Fellow and valuable member of the Travel Force family, you will acquire invaluable experience in rehabilitation hospitals, recognized year-after-year as the nation’s best in U.S. News & World Report. Travel Force ensures placement in facilities that provide SLPs with mentors—in other words, licensed speech language pathologists who serve as guides while you acclimate yourself to new procedures. And better yet? At Travel Force, Clinical Fellows enjoy the added security of client support services anytime they need it.

Before advancing in your speech language pathologist career, therapists must grow professionally—exponentially—in a CFY job. If you’re in your last year of graduate school and ready to complete supervised clinical training from a certified SLP, Travel Force can match you to a healthcare facility that needs your talent, STAT!

What are you waiting for? Get ready for your training in the perfect CFY job—one that lets you integrate what you learned in school with clinical on-the-job practice. Apply today for a high income CFY job at Travel Force.

We’ll see you soon!

Celebrate National Physical Therapy Month this October

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.01.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Monthly Events, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, Videos

October puts physical therapists in the spotlight! In 1982 the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) changed from National Physical Therapy Week, to a month long celebratory event for physical therapists nationwide. This year’s 2010 theme is: Move Forward: Physical Therapists bring motion to life—not just a slogan, but APTA sponsored site; one that gives both therapists and their patients, the chance to explore the positive effects of physical therapy for everyone involved.

National Physical Therapy Month does its part to increase the general public’s awareness of what physical therapists do, and the diversity of patients helped by their expertise. Whether young, old, injured in an accident, or as the result of illness and disease, a licensed physical therapist, often board certified in one or more of 8 physical therapy specialties, is highly trained to improve patients’ range of motion, balance, strength and flexibility.

But as a physical therapist working for Travel Force, or likeminded staffing agency, you already know this—we’re just giving you extra reasons to bring National Physical Therapy month to your patients’ attention; they may benefit from APTA’s “Motion to Life Site”, where a quiz, reader poll and more lets them access their current level of motion, and see if they have a health issue that merits a visit to your office.

Why are physical therapists making headlines?

As the world watched Spain capture the world cup during the FIFA games this summer, the general public was more aware than ever of the need for physical therapists and their ability to heal, as seen in this sports related injuries video.

Health Information Technology (IT) has also taken the physical therapy world by storm, and offers new and innovative ways of preparing therapists for future sessions with patients; you’ll enjoy watching the video that enhances our article about virtual reality training.

With so much to sit back and take in, maybe we should pop some popcorn; instead please accept our simple thanks. Travel Force wishes to add its own “tip of the hat” to a worldwide appreciation for what physical therapists do. We are proud to offer physical therapy jobs from coast to coast and everywhere in between that challenge and reward qualified applicants with top benefits, competitive pay, as well as traveling and permanent therapy positions in some of the best rehabilitative hospitals in America.

National Physical Therapy Month is just one of many occasions that serve to remind physical therapists of a competitive present and future in their field; the APTA cites a 27% jump in hiring by 2016 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and the majority of physical therapists with doctorates in hand (DPT degree) by 2020.

Travel Force career resources help you stay on track 365 days a year

Travel Force Staffing offers current and aspiring physical therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants career resources that help them stay on track toward achieving licensing whether they are foreign trained or educated in the U.S. We have quick links to APTA accredited physical therapy schools and member board information in all 50 states. Check us out, and apply online today!

In the meantime, think about the ways physical therapy touches the lives of your patients and leave us a comment about how you, personally, are bringing motion to life!

Rehabilitation Hospital Stays: Brief but Highly Effective

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 08.13.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Tidbits, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

Expecting to make a complete recovery means patients and caregivers give 100% to rehab team

The purpose of inpatient rehab is, of course, to help the patient regain functions lost because of injury and illness, stemming from stroke, brain, various neurological conditions, recovery from orthopedic surgery, or spinal cord dysfunction.

Patient participation in the healing process is as critical as physical therapy is—yet perhaps the biggest challenge in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital stay is its brevity, averaging just 38 days for serious conditions.

Physical and occupational therapists are on task immediately, interviewing patients about their lifestyle and home environment, so they can customize a rehab treatment plan. Before the patient lands in the care of a PT, OT, or other specialist, chances are they were in a community hospital—an environment quite different from a rehab facility.

Rehab Professionals set the pace in patient’s recovery

Once a patient is matched with the right level of rehabilitative care, doctors, nurses and others in rehab jobs must help patients adjust to a radically changed pace in treatment and expectations. While hospitals manage nearly every aspect of a patient’s care, the rehab facility places most of patient recovery squarely in the hands of the patient. The patient must be committed to working hard with therapists, even if they find physical therapy grueling—a tall order considering that rehabilitation hospitals ensure patients receive and benefit from several hours of occupational and physical therapy daily, usually five days a week.

Insurers, like Medicare and Medicaid mandate patient participation, and may cut benefits if they fail to make enough progress. Since this is the last thing physical therapists and other specialists want to see happen, they help things along much as possible, providing the following in patient care:

• A smooth transition from community hospital to rehab hospital
• Pain management
• Physical therapy that helps patient regain independent function on all daily activities of life
• Motivation and emotional support
• Feedback to patient’s loved ones

A Positive Attitude + Increased Patient Involvement = Positive Rehab Experience

A good attitude is essential if the patient is to progress in daily physical therapy sessions and, depending on his or her condition or illness, expanded treatment that may include gait training and speech therapy.

What changes in the move from acute hospital care to Inpatient Rehab Facility:

• visiting hours
• meals
• learning names and roles of a new health care team
• noise level
• amount of privacy

Case Managers and patient’s family a critical part of recovery

Case Managers will also coordinate care at the inpatient rehab hospital, assisting in the design of specific programs that help patients regain their independence; also involved are the patient’s family and caregivers who may be expected to:

• Fetch comfortable clothing
• Attend team meetings to assess progress
• Participate in meeting set deadline for rehab goal
• Serve as a link to the community and outside world

Excellent Teamwork follows the patient home

Caregivers and family will continue to play an active role in the patient’s life after discharge from the Rehab hospital; they provide transportation to medical and therapy appointments, pick up and administer medications, help the patient in the bathroom, fix meals, adhere to an exercise schedule, as well as deal with financial issues incurred during the rehab process.

Without good nurses and excellent home health, creating a safe environment in the patient’s home would be next to impossible, but thanks to a talented rehab team, coupled with the patient’s strong will to get back to normal, anything and everything that’s good lies in wait.

Travel Force offers over 20 years of hospital and rehab staffing; placing physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists in permanent and temporary positions in top-rated rehab hospitals and healthcare facilities across the U.S. Joint Commission certified, Travel Force provides staffing services to Outpatient Rehab Centers, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Sub Acute Settings, and university teaching facilities. Make a positive change in someone’s life today. Apply online for physical therapy jobs!

Travel Physical Therapist Jobs FAQs

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 05.18.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Job Questions, Rehabilitation Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, Traveling Therapist

Travel physical therapy jobs offer many advantages to physical therapist professionals. Some of the great benefits of travel physical therapy jobs are:

• Physical Therapists get to visit different exciting locations
• Career Advancement by gaining valuable experience in a variety of clinical settings
• Meet new and interesting people along the way and possibly make lasting friendships and career networking contacts

Travel Physical Therapy Job Career Fact: travel physical therapy jobs currently offer one of the fastest growing career opportunities for physical therapists. If you’re a PT who looks for adventure and professional challenges, a career as a traveling physical therapist might just be what you are looking for.

Q: Is there minimum experience required to start a career in travel physical therapy jobs?

Agencies like Travel Force cater to individuals in all stages of their physical therapy career from new grads to experienced working physical therapists alike. At Travel Force, we employ physical therapists including new grads, mid-career professionals, advanced professionals with DPT, to older PTs working through retirement.

Q: How long are travel physical therapist jobs?

Travel physical therapy jobs are typically 13-26 weeks in length. Physical therapists often renew their travel jobs to further explore favorite locations.

Q: Can I work full-time, year round as a travel physical therapist?

Yes, physical therapists can choose to be employed year round in travel physical therapist jobs or take time off between assignments if they wish. Travel Force presents you with PT jobs choices early in your assignment, so you have plenty of time to decide where you want to travel next. Many physical therapists have switched to a career in travel physical therapist jobs because it pays more, advances skills, and encourages travel to fabulous locations for free.

Q: What kind of work will I do in Physical Therapist Jobs with Travel Force?

Physical therapists working with Travel Force find PT jobs in facilities offering the latest technology and advancements as well as small to medium size outpatient clinics offering standard physical therapy services to patients. Travel Force is proud to have staffed therapists in several of America’s best hospitals ranked “Best Rehabilitation Hospitals” by the U.S. News & World Report.

Q: Does Travel Force offer Physical Therapy Jobs close to home?

Yes, Travel Force specializes in finding physical therapy jobs for physical therapists who wish to work close to home rather than relocate. In this case, your free private housing benefit would come in the form of a mortgage or rent subsidy added to your earnings.

Q: What is the pay range that I can expect to earn at Travel Force?

Physical therapist salary starts between $71,520 and $80,000 with a total compensation of $100,000 or more with benefits. Hourly wages for physical therapists average $35 per hour, and spike dramatically after five years on the job. The Travel Force tax advantage plan, coupled with the referral program and sign-on bonuses, plus reimbursement for meals and other travel incidentals means earning upwards of $100,000 a year or more in travel physical therapist jobs.

Q: Does travel physical therapist jobs include free healthcare insurance?

Travel Force is proud to offer a benefits package that includes free group health, dental and life insurance; our plan provides prescription drug benefits, along with a flexible health plan to healthcare needs, and is available to cover your dependents. For therapists who prefer to obtain their own insurance, Travel Force Staffing will assist in subsidizing the expense.

Q: Will  I get Professional Liability Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance with a travel therapy job?

Yes. Travel Force Staffing provides professional liability malpractice insurance to all of our physical therapists, occupational therapists and other allied healthcare professionals on all travel therapy jobs.

Q: Are physical therapists provided a round trip travel allowance?

Yes, Travel Force provides a maximum round trip travel allowance on PT jobs – regardless of whether you travel by car, plane, train or bus.

Q: Do Travel Physical Therapist Jobs offer fully furnished housing?

Yes, physical therapists get fully-furnished free private housing; with upgrades such as fitness centers, pool and more at select properties.

Q: Do Travel Force jobs come with a 401(k) plan and retirement benefits?

Yes. The Travel Force’s company-matched 401(k) plan is generous. You can easily access your account online and individuals with vested retirement benefits may transfer them as they wish.

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Now that you know more  about travel physical therapist jobs; it’s time contact Travel Force Staffing to get your traveling physical therapist started right now. Call us at 800-617-0608 or Apply Online

The Travel Force mission is to provide you with the best career growth opportunities in assignments at facilities with the highest standards of clinical and professional excellence, while offering the most comprehensive support and compensation programs.

2010 Physical Therapy Association Calendar Packed with PT Events

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 05.10.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Certifications, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Fun Events, Monthly Events, Ongoing Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

Continuing to grow and improve your skills as a PT takes time and dedication. Of course, you’ll learn a lot from your physical therapy jobs; but you’ll also want to attend as many physical therapy seminars as possible, to stay up on the latest trends in healthcare.

Luckily, The American Physical Therapy Association is a great resource for physical therapists. The association’s events calendar is jam-packed with interesting and informative activities, including the annual conference, as well as physical therapy seminars in everything from pediatrics, to geriatrics, to specific parts of the body (e.g., shoulders and feet).

Here’s a sampling of the physical therapy events on the 2010 events calendar, listed chronologically:

Pharmacology for Physical Therapists

• May 22-23
• Chapel Hill, NC
• Description: Study the effect of drug actions on the major body systems, problems of drug interaction, and variables that modify their effects.

Annual Conference

• June 16-19
• Boston, MA
• Description: This annual gathering for the Physical Therapy Association has everything the practicing physical therapist could wish: seminars, networking, discussions, and, of course, socializing with your fellow PTs.

Screening for Medical Referral: The Pediatric Client Birth to Six Years

• July 10-11
• Valhalla, NY
• Description: Course emphasizes taking a history for the pediatric patient and using evidence to screen and review the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, urogenital, and integumentary systems for infants, toddlers through the use of case studies.

Biomechanics, Examination, and Selected Interventions for Foot Disorders

• July 17-18
• Portland, OR
• Description: The biomechanics of the foot and ankle with normal and abnormal motion during walking will be evaluated especially in relation to lower extremity dysfunction and the physical examination of the foot.

Women’s Health-Men’s Health: What All PTs Need to Know

• Sept. 11-12
• Burlington, NC
• Description: Gender and sex differences are presented using an evidence-based, body systems approach that illustrates how the unique characteristics associated with sex/gender matter across physical therapy practice settings.

Evidence-Based Assessment, Examination & Rehabilitation Interventions in the Medically Complex Older Adult

• Sept. 25-26
• Somerville, NJ

Examination and Selected Interventions: Lower Extremity: Hip, Knee, and Ankle

• Nov. 6-7
• Jacksonville, FL
• Description: Course is designed to integrate a comprehensive clinical examination with selected manual therapy interventions for the hip, knee, and ankle.

In addition, there are several physical therapy seminars and conferences for specific disciplines scheduled around the country, such as:

The American Society of Hand Therapists Annual Meeting

• June 23
• Orlando, Florida
• Description: Meeting theme “Best Practice in Hand Therapy.”

Aquatic Section Summit

• Oct. 6-8
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Description: Conference of the APTA’s Aquatic Physical Therapy Section will coincide with World Aquatic Health Conference. Note: e-seminars will be available at this event.

Gait Analysis Seminars

• June 5-6, Tempe, AZ
• Nov. 6-7, New York, NY
• Description: For gait and foot-function specialists: Learn how in-shoe pressure mapping technology is used to analyze foot function and gait by revealing what the eye cannot see.

These are just a few of the numerous choices for physical therapy seminars and PT events around. With physical therapy jobs from Travel Force, you may very well find yourself on assignment in an area that is featuring one or more of these physical therapy seminars and conferences. In which case, you’ll certainly be in the right place at the right time!

Top 8 Physical Therapy Certifications by Specialty

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 04.13.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Certifications, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

Get Your Physical Therapy Certification and Earn more in Advanced Specialty Jobs

In the competitive field of physical therapy, you need an edge. If you’re looking for a higher physical therapist salary, preferential treatment in hiring and, most importantly, a huge upgrade in the level of service you provide your patients, you can fulfill all these and more career ambitions by getting certified in a physical therapy specialty ASAP!

We hope all PTs seeking physical therapist certification will jot down the relevant dates and info available in this post; we’ve taken it from a physical therapy source you should bookmark—the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)—timely information regarding your future physical therapist certification is displayed on their website.

But don’t wait—visit APTA’s Professional Development page today, where you’ll have the opportunity to earn Continuing Education credits in virtually all areas of physical therapy specialty; also in the spotlight, is a call to register NOW for the 2010 Annual PT Conference in Boston, June 16-June 19—it’s a great way to network, and investigate the newest products and services.

In addition to your review of the 8 physical therapy specialties outlined here, take heart in other forms of supportive PT literature, offering physical therapy career tips for success.  Remember that professions like orthopedic physical therapy, sports physical therapy and all allied healthcare jobs on this list come with top therapy job benefits.

Without further adieu, here is the Top 8 list:

1.    CCS (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist)

Your patients:
•    Have recently undergone heart or lung surgery
•    Have been diagnosed with disorders of the heart or lungs
Medical conditions seen by CCS:
•    Hypertension
•    Chronic heart failure
•    Pulmonary fibrosis
•    Bronchitis
Your professional goal:
•    Increase stamina of heart and lungs; improve their function
•    Promote functional independence of patients

2. ECS (Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Active individuals; their lifestyles or work conditions led to disorder
•    Those who experienced a high degree of trauma
Medical conditions seen by ECS:
•    Carpal tunnel syndrome
•    Injured War veterans
•    Car accident victims
Your professional goal:
•    Treat your patients through the use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit
•    Improve recovery outcomes by conducting electromyogram and nerve conduction velocity testing (EMG /NCV).

3.    GCS (Geriatric Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Elderly people suffering from a wide range of conditions
•    Elderly patients recovering from surgeries, i.e. hip or joint replacement
Medical Conditions seen by GCS:
•    Arthritis
•    Osteoporosis
•    Cancer
•    Incontinence
Your professional goal:
•    Reduce discomfort
•    Hasten recovery
•    Improve mobility

4.    NCS (Neurologic Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Recovering from a traumatic brain injury
•    Receiving rehabilitation therapy after diagnosis of neurological illness

Medical conditions seen by NCS:

•    Cerebral palsy
•    Multiple sclerosis
•    Parkinson’s disease
•    Spinal cord injuries
•    Stroke victims

Your professional goal:

•    guiding patients in learning to function independently
•    helping patients deal with issues related to neurological disorders, i.e., paralysis or problems with balance and coordination

5.    OCS (Orthopaedic Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    individuals suffering from chronic conditions
•    patients seeking rehabilitation post-surgery
Medical conditions seen by OCS:
•    All injuries, diseases and challenges related to the musculoskeletal system
Your professional goal:
•    To administer an array of treatment options and uniquely tailored therapy plans

6.    PCS (Pediatric Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Infants
•    adolescents
Medical conditions seen by PCS:
•    challenges related to many types of disorders.
•    Disorders that categorize a child as “special needs”
Your professional goal:
•    help the patient build strength, increase fitness levels or develop gross and fine motor skills
•    improve the patient’s coordination and stability.
•    Detect physical issues early to ensure the best course of treatment.

7.    SCS (Sports Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Athletes
Medical conditions seen by SCS:
•    evaluation and treatment of patients’ active and chronic pain
Your professional goal:
•    preventing injuries
•    preparing athletes for maximum physical exertion
•    equipment recommendations and tips on enhancing performance.

8.    WCS (Women’s Health Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Women of childbearing age
•    Menopausal and perimenopausal Women
Medical Conditions seen by WCS:
•    Pregnancy and post partum issues
•    Lymphedema
•    osteoporosis
•    pelvic pain
•    urinary incontinence
Your professional goal:
•    Helping and educating women of all ages with discomfort caused by both short term and chronic conditions.

Look for 2011 applications for Board Certification as a Clinical Specialist—in the 8 different areas of physical therapy specialties we’ve outlined above—at the end of April, when they become available on the APTA site!

For super specific info, download APTA “Application and Info” booklets—and don’t forget to apply for physical therapy certification on time!   July 1, 2010 is the application deadline for all specialties, except Cardiovascular/Pulmonary and Clinical Electrophysiology, which gives you until July 31, 2010.

Get busy this summer—work on your tan after you’re ABPTS certified—check out physical therapy career resources today!  Get that edge only physical therapy certification can give you!

Top 40 Tips for Physical Therapy Career Success

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 04.06.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

The Physical Therapist’s Top 40 Countdown to Career Success and Financial Bliss

If your licensure is fairly new or you’re well on your way to passing the state exam, Kudos to you! Qualified physical therapists are highly compensated, always in demand, and guaranteed a job in just about any healthcare facility. In this article, experts share the tips you need to know on what it takes to get your physical therapy career off the ground and running in high gear.

Staying current with healthcare therapy news feeds is just a small part of being the best; before you know it, you’ll rub shoulders with talented physical therapists from education programs similar to the one you’re in right now—or—if you’ve not yet applied to a program, we deliver a state by state resource guide to physical therapy schools approved by The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)—we’re also counting down to banner personality traits that translate into rockin’ & rollin’ your way down the physical therapist career path.

With a full work or course load, not to mention your continuing education, downtime is scarce, but in the rare event you indulge in iTunes and websurfing, we’re kickin’ it old school with a leisurely Casey Kasem inspired Top 40 countdown of tips travel PTs use in their physical therapy jobs.

So, from #40 on the list to the most important tip at all, remember these facts and therapy career resources, and be #1—oh, and don’t forget the drum roll as we make our way to…budumbumbum…“The Top Tip”!

Salary and Financial Stability:

#40: Salary Surveys reveal that advanced degrees and training are well worth the effort. Physical therapists benefit from dramatic increases in salary after just five years of practice.
#39: PTs don’t have to worry about a recession affecting their careers; as the general population ages and athletes continue to get injured, physical therapy becomes ever more popular.
#38: Rehab therapists may work long hours, but it translates into well compensated overtime pay.
#37: Therapist staffing agencies offer bonus referral programs.
#36: PT salaries vary by state, but the good news is, in physical therapy careers, you can work anywhere! See Physical Therapist salary by  state chart at the end of this post.

A Career with Superb Benefits:

#35: Physical therapy jobs come with stellar medical and dental benefits.
#34: Rehabilitation therapy jobs offer attractive retirement benefits, like 401(k) savings and tax advantage plans
#33: Free private housing in luxury accommodations is available through companies like Travel Force.
#32: Most physical therapists receive free life insurance.
#31: Plenty of employers offer physical therapists licensure reimbursement to practice in the state of their choosing.

Career Advancements & Education:

#30: PT staffing agencies are quick to offer free Continuing Education online courses.
#29: Your physical therapy job provides additional travel reimbursements and road savvy info that help you enjoy your adventures to the fullest.
#28: Physical therapists gain employment with ease through therapist recruitment.
#27: “I can’t get no satisfaction” is a song you’ll never hear on this Top 40 countdown. Job satisfaction among physical therapists is documented in the APTA media room as second in the Top 5 careers for job satisfaction.
#26: You’ll never stop advancing in your physical therapy career unless you want to.

Work In Diverse Healthcare Settings:

#25: Working on the road means physical therapists steer clear of the blahs—nationwide assignments have plenty of flexibility; work as little as 8 weeks or as long as 8 months.
#24: You’ll enjoy lots of variety in travel physical therapy jobs; you can work in hospitals, clinics, offices, schools, home health, rehab centers and more.
#23: You’ll never be bored. Physical therapy jobs are among the most intellectually stimulating careers on the planet. Click here to watch an inspiring 10 minute video about physical therapists, talking about the analytical aspects of their jobs and more.
#22: Physical therapists will not be replaced by computers, and as there is a need for them in every health facility, qualified PT’s are guaranteed a job.
#21: Every day is different for physical therapists, keeping things fresh and exciting; keep up with PT news and learn how to make your therapist career better.

Making a Difference:

#20: You need compassion and humanity! As we get closer to the #1 tip, it becomes more evident physical therapy jobs require giving your whole self over to the profession; that means heart and soul, as well as your mind.
#19: You can become more than a caregiver. Long term care takes a personal turn when you work with patients you care about.
#18: Your work as an educator is paramount. Much of your job as a physical therapist will be educating patients, their families, and the general public.
#17: Cherish a connection to your colleagues? Good. You will interact with lots of other health professionals as a physical therapist.
#16: Physical therapy allows you to mentor patients, families, and other PTs.

Friendships for a Lifetime:

#15: If you hate to be isolated, physical therapy provides quite the opposite experience; in this career no man is an island—to help the patient, you and other members of the rehab team must pull together.
#14: As a physical therapist, you’ll be able to improve the morale of patients and their families.
#13: You can be a giver of hope to your patients
#12: Physical therapy works toward healing, putting an end to pain and suffering experienced by others.
#11: As a physical therapist, your work matters to your patients and their families.
#10: You care about your fellow man, and want to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives.

Get those drums ready! We are getting into the last 10 in the countdown, focusing on the personal traits that make the top earning, top achieving physical therapists.

Resilience & Teamwork:

#9: Physical Therapists need to be able to deal with doctors, patients, and coworkers in a tactful way.
#8: Physical Therapy is rewarding, but nevertheless, hard work—if you’re highly skilled and willing to work hard, this job’s for you.
#7: As a physical therapist, you’ll care for people every day, so empathy is a must.
#6: Physical therapists are constantly learning, so if you love to learn, a physical therapy career is a great option.

Dedication has its Rewards:

#5: Physical Therapists often work on their feet all day with minimal breaks; therefore, physical stamina is important. Stay healthy!
#4: Every day will be different, so being able to adapt is essential for physical therapists.
#3: If you have the ability to communicate and instill trust in people, you have the basic skills for becoming a physical therapist.
#2: You must be able to remember, write a lot, and be organized as a PT.

And let the drums roll, please!…………..

#1: You must be 110% dedicated! Physical Therapy is not just a job—it’s a lifestyle.

Physical Therapist Median Salary by State

Have an Appetite for Fun Food? Check our Therapist Deal’s Guide

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 03.17.2010 | Category Good restaurants nationwide, How to Tips, Locations, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapy Jobs, Traveling Therapist

Rehabilitation therapy jobs can create an appetite for fun food; read on to find some great deals ….

In physical therapy jobs, PTs and likeminded colleagues are bound to ask upon arrival in a new city: “So, is there a good place to eat around here?”

Any foodie worth his salt, especially a local one, is happy to answer this question, plugging local cuisine that lends the cities your Rehabilitation Therapy Jobs take place in, character…a la mode.

Yep, it’s the locals who recommend great vegetarian venue guides, like happycow.net, which puts veggie loving therapists in touch with the nearest organic restaurants and health food stores—with any luck, word spreads there’s an alternative to meat lover’s pizza at the next Occupational Therapy Jobs roundup.

Herbivore or meat loving, the locals know where it’s at; that’s why sites like Where the locals eat are worthy bookmarks in the months you work in physical therapist jobs away from home.

Food for thought: When physical therapy jobs mean you’re often too busy to cook, eatin’ good in the neighborhood—at restaurants that come highly recommended—means you’re twice as likely to extend your assignment.

Click on Applebee’s as proof that signing up to receive e-mails at your favorite franchises is a great way to save. Have OT Jobs and physical therapist jobs starved you for time to surf restaurants? Applebee’s sign-up page removes the guess work, and the good news is its simple steps to free membership are very similar to tasty competitors, i.e. Red Lobster’s Fresh Catch Club.

When restaurants like these are running a sale on surf or turf, you’ll be the first PT to know. Check in at all your favorite franchise websites to see what we mean.

You may already be a smart phone enthusiast working in travel therapist jobs whose restaurant app on the ol’ mobile quite capably makes your dining decisions for you, but that hardly means PTs and OTs aren’t interested in deep discounts available in the 2010 Entertainment Book. If you haven’t heard about it already, we’ve got the 411! This huge volume of coupons provides an online membership, where additional (printable) discounts are available just by typing your current zip code; you can also apply for an Entertainment Card, designed for discretion when the bill arrives.

Whether you find the perfect bargain or not, PTs, OTs and the medical professionals in between, gotta eat! Find out on the Travel Force therapy career resources page if you’re destined to work in one of the top 5 travel therapy spots.

Once you get there, make sure to ask: “So, is there a good place to eat around here?”