HDS Careers: Therapy and Rehabilitation

Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries. Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients. Physical therapists entering the profession need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.

For More Information

US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapists

UCSD Career Services References:
About Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy

Trade Organizations:
American Physical Therapy Association

For more information about accredited physical therapy programs, visit:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

For more information about state licensing requirements and about the National Physical Therapy Exam, visit:
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

For more information about certification, visit:
American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties

For more information about how to apply to DPT programs, visit:
Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)

Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. About half of occupational therapists work in offices of occupational therapy or in hospitals. Others work in schools, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, and home health services. Therapists spend a lot of time on their feet while working with patients. Occupational therapists typically have a master’s degree in occupational therapy. All states require occupational therapists to be licensed or registered.

For More Information

US Dept of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupational Therapists

UCSD Career Services References:

About Physical & Occupational Therapy

Trade Organizations(including lists of graduate programs):
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

For more information about the Occupational Therapist Registered certification exam, visit:
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, or emotional problems. Most speech-language pathologists work full time and almost half work in schools. Speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master’s degree. They must be licensed in most states; requirements vary by state.

For More Information

Trade Organization (including lists of graduate programs):
 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Audiologists diagnose and treat a patient’s hearing and balance problems using advanced technology and procedures. Most audiologists work in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, physicians' offices, and audiology clinics. Some work in schools or for school districts and travel between facilities. Audiologists need a doctoral degree and must be licensed in all states; requirements vary by state.

For More Information

Trade Organizations(including lists of graduate programs):
For more information about audiologists, including requirements for certification and state licensure, visit:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
American Board of Audiology

For information on doctoral programs in audiology, visit:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Rehabilitation counselors help people with emotional and physical disabilities live independently. They work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, and professional effects of disabilities on employment or independent living. Rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as schools, prisons, independent-living facilities, rehabilitation agencies, and private practice. Most work full time. Rehabilitation counselors typically must have a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. Some positions require certification or a license.

For More Information

Trade Organizations (including lists of graduate programs):

For more information about counseling and information about counseling specialties, visit:
American Rehabilitation Counseling Association

For more information about the Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) certification and the state licensing regulating boards, visit:
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome challenging life events, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization.. Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences.  Because they understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress.  In addition to hospitals, child life specialists are employed in hospice programs, camps, early intervention programs, courtrooms, dental practices, support/bereavement groups, community programs, and private practice

For More Information

Trade Organization:
Child Life Council: http://www.childlife.org/

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly patients who have diseased lungs. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock. Respiratory therapists held about 119,300 jobs in 2012. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Others may work in nursing care facilities or travel to patients’ homes. Respiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree, but some have bachelor’s degrees. Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state.

For More Information

Trade Organizations(including lists of graduate programs):
American Association for Respiratory Care

For a list of accredited educational programs for respiratory care practitioners, visit:
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

For a list of state licensing agencies, as well as information on gaining credentials in respiratory care, visit:
National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc.