Description: Using a variety of treatments to help patients who are injured ; physically or mentally disabled; or emotionally disturbed. Treatment directed toward allowing patients to function at maximum capacity. Occupation levels include therapist, technician, and assistant/ aide.

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Occupational Therapists (OTs) Need Bachelor’s or Masters degree with internship. Licensure required and certification can be obtained. Starting salary about 40k/ yr. Assist people with physical, developmental, mental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust to their particular problems. Directed towards helping patients acquire independence, regain lost functions, adapt to disabilities, and lead productive and satisfying lives.

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTAs) Associates degree and internship. Licensure or certification required in all states. Starting salary about 25k/ yr. Work under supervision of OTs. Carry out patients plan of care. Report patient progress back to OT.

Pharmacist (PharmDs) Bachelor or Doctor of Pharmacy degree PLUS internship. Licensure required. Starting salary about 100k/ yr. Dispense medications from orders written by authorized health care prescribers. Provide information on medications, correct ways to use, recommendation of OTC medications.

Pharmacy Technicians OTJ training or 6 month program. Certification is required; generally within 6 months of starting job. Starting salary around 20k/yr. Work under supervision of PharmD. Help prepare prescriptions, label medications, do inventories, order supplies, and maintain records.

Physical Therapist (PTs) Bachelor or Masters Degree. Licensure required. Starting salary about 40k/yr. Provide treatment to improve mobility and prevent or limit permanent disability of joints, bone, muscle, and/or nerves. Will assess functional abilities and use this information to plan treatment. Promote health and prevent injuries by developing proper exercise programs and teaching correct use of muscles.

Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) Associates degree plus internship and licensure required. Work under supervision on PT. Carry out prescribed plan of care. Can perform exercises, massages, administer heat/ cold, provide ultrasound, and/or apply electrical stimulation. Informs PTs of patient response and progress

Massage Therapist 3 month to 1 year accredited program. Certification, registration, and/or licensure required. Starting salary about 25k/yr. Sometimes work under supervision of physicians to provide pain relief for chronic conditions or inflammatory diseases. Can also help to relieve stress and tension.

Recreational Therapist (TRs) Bachelor’s degree plus internship. Licensure required, sometimes certification/ registration. Starting salary about 30k/yr. Also called “Therapeutic Recreation Specialist”. Use recreation and leisure activities as forms as treatment to improve physical, emotional, and mental well- being. All activities directed toward patient gaining independence, building self-confidence, and to relieve anxiety

Recreational Therapy Assistants Associates degree, certification required. Starting salary about 20k/yr. Also called “Activity Directors”. Carry out activities planned by TRs. Sometimes arrange activities and/or events. Monitor and report patient progress to TRs.

Respiratory Therapist (RTs) Associates or Bachelor’s degree. Licensure required, can also obtain certification. Starting salary about 30k/ yr. With physicians orders, treat patients with heart and lung diseases. Administer oxygen, gases, and medications. Use exercises to improve breathing, monitor ventilators, and perform test.

Respiratory Therapy Technician (RTTs) Associate’s degree. Licensure or certification required. Starting salary about 20k/yr. Work under supervision of RTs. Administer treatments and perform basic test. Cleans and maintains equipment. Keeps RT informed of any changes in patient condition. This career is on the decline and is being faded out.

Speech-Language Therapist Master’s degree and 9 months post graduate clinical experience. Licensure required, certification can be obtained. Starting salary about 35k/ yr. Also called” Speech Pathologist”. Identify, evaluate, and treat patients with speech and language disorders. Help patients communicate effectively as possible. Teach patients to cope with problems created by speech impairments.

Audiologist Master’s degree and 9 months post graduate clinical experience. Licensure required, certification can be obtained. Starting salary about 35k/ yr. Provide care to individuals who have hearing impairments. They test hearing, diagnose problems, and prescribe treatment. Treatment may include hearing aids, auditory training, and/or lip reading. May also test noise levels in work places and develop hearing protection programs.

Art, Music and Dance Therapists Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Certification/ Registration can be obtained. Starting salary about 25k/ yr. Use the arts to help patients deal with social, physical, or emotional problems. Usually work with patients who are emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, or physically disabled. May work with patients with no disabilities to promote physical and mental wellness.

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Perfusionists Bachelor’s degree with specialized training and supervised clinical experience. Licensure required in some states. Starting salary about 38k/ yr. Members of the open-heart surgical team. Operate the heart lung machines used in coronary by- pass surgery.

Dialysis Technicians Education requirements vary by state: Approved dialysis program or Associate’s Degree with certification. May have to be a LPN or RN. Starting salary about 20k/ yr. Operate kidney dialysis machine and monitor patient during process. Provide emotional support and teach proper nutrition.

Athletic Trainer (ATs) Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Licensure required and may obtain certification. Starting salary about 25k/ yr. Prevent and treat athletic injuries. Provide rehabilitation services to athletes. Frequently works with a physician who specializes in Sports Medicine. Teach proper nutrition, assess physical condition, give advice on conditioning programs, apply tape/ padding to players to protect, treat minor injuries, and administer first aid. Assist with treatments prescribed by sports medicine physician.