Allied Health careers are some of the fastest growing careers and come with flexibility, higher than average wages, and many options to choose from when deciding where to work. From major hospitals, health, and rehab centers to in-home or private practice, and more, allied health professionals, including physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs), have the greatest opportunity to be happy in their workplace environment.
What is PT and OT?
Occupational therapy practitioners “address functional cognition with clients across the lifespan to meet their goals for everyday activities; OTs help “promote health and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability,” according to the Association of Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
Physical therapy practitioners, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), “help people to maximize their quality of life. They work with people of all ages and abilities, and in a variety of settings. They (PTs) help people rehabilitate from devastating injuries, manage chronic conditions, avoid surgery and prescription drugs, and create healthy habits.”
Dick McLaughlin, LEAD New England Managing Partner and manager of LEAD Healthcare says, “During the pandemic, the health industry more heavily relied on allied health professionals. Physical and occupational therapists, technicians, and assistants performed their caregiving responsibilities as well as provided education, self-care, rehab and maintenance of functionality – the essence of patient-centered care – to COVID patients in the various settings.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates, from 2021-2031, PT (17%) and OT (14%) are experiencing career growth much faster than the average for all occupations.
Dick McLaughlin, LEAD New England Managing Partner and manager of LEAD Healthcare say, “Choice can make a difference when it comes to where you practice your skilled trade.” Healthcare workers, in general, have a wide range of options in their work setting:
Hospitals – Many departments count on PTs and OTs to assist patients in their recovery and graduating to discharge status from cardiology; neurology; labor, delivery, recovery, and post-partum (LDRP); oncology; intensive care; and others.
Home Care – Therapy can be provided in a patient’s home, especially followed by hospitalization for illness or injury. The goal is to get the patient back to good function and health. The health professionals will assess the patient’s home for possible hazard (poor lighting, flooring, room set-up), provide manual therapy, exercise to improve condition, and instruction on equipment use.
Inpatient Rehab – Patients who experience a neurological event or orthopedic trauma require extensive inpatient rehabilitation care available in hospital, or other rehab facility.
Outpatient – Patients who can do their PT and/or OT in an outpatient setting, whether hospital-based or a free-standing clinic, are more independent and require less intensive therapy than in other settings.
Skilled Nursing/Long Term Care– These facilities are used for patients who need permanent placement due to the inability to live safely, or independently and others who require a lengthened period of inpatient rehab.
A niche service segment of the LEAD staffing network, LEAD Healthcare focuses on placing experienced patient-focused health professionals in positions with a variety of healthcare facilities locally in the northeast from New Jersey to Maine and nationwide!
Dick says, “We provide PRN/Per-Diem, temp, temp-to-perm and direct placement services for healthcare workers. LEAD Healthcare partners with health facilities in need of staffing high demand positions such as PTs, PT assistants and technicians, OTs, administrative personnel, and dental support roles.”
Ready to get to work? Call Dick McLaughlin today to hear about his Win-Win-Win philosophy that is sure to get you the job-seeking results you want. Call 508-801-3755.
