Rehabilitative Careers

Chapter 31


Rehabilitative Careers



Learning Objectives



image Define at least 10 terms relating to rehabilitative health care.


image Identify the function of the rehabilitative health care team.


image Describe the role of at least five of the rehabilitative health care team members, including personal qualities, levels of education, and credentialing requirements.


image Identify at least five methods or devices used to improve activities of daily living for the disabled.


image Describe two types of hearing loss and two methods of assessing defects in hearing.


image Identify at least five common drug types and the expected action of each.


image Identify the necessary components of a legal drug prescription, including the personnel qualified to write one.


image Describe three other types of rehabilitative treatments.



Key Terms

















Rehabilitative Careers Terminology*







































































Term Definition Prefix Root Suffix
Aphasia Without speaking a phas ia
Audiogram Record of hearing audio gram  
Audiology Study of hearing   audi ology
Dysarthria Difficulty articulating dys arthr ia
Extracorporeal Pertaining to outside of the body extra corpore al
Hydrotherapy Water therapy hydro therapy  
Myoelectronics Pertaining to electricity and muscles myo electron ics
Pedorthist One who corrects child (bones) ped orth ist
Pharmacology Study of drugs   pharmac ology
Tracheotomy Hole in the windpipe   trache otomy


image


*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts to make the combining form.




Abbreviations in Rehabilitative Careers






































Abbreviation Meaning
ADL Activities of daily living
CCC Certificate of Clinical Competence
COTA Certification of Occupational Therapy Assistants
CPT Chest physical therapy
DEA Drug enforcement agency
DTR Registered dance therapist
FDA Food and Drug Administration
OTC Over the counter
PDR Physician’s Desk Reference
Rx Prescription



Careers


Rehabilitative careers provide a variety of working opportunities (Box 31-1). The rehabilitation team includes physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, counselors, pharmacists, orthotists, and prosthetists who provide services designed to overcome physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional disabilities (Table 31-1). The disabilities include impaired muscle strength, physical endurance, sensory or muscle coordination, concentration, and spatial discrimination.



BOX 31-1   Rehabilitative Health Careers




image Art therapist


image Audiologist


image Audiometrist


image Corrective therapist


image Dance therapist


image Drug preparation inspector


image Drug preparation utility worker


image Educational therapist


image Horticultural therapist


image Industrial therapist


image Manual arts therapist


image Medication aide


image Music therapist


image Occupational therapist


image Occupational therapy aide


image Occupational therapy assistant


image Orientation therapist for the blind


image Orthoptist


image Orthotic assistant


image Orthotic technician


image Pharmacist


image Pharmacologist


image Pharmacy assistant


image Pharmacy helper


image Physical-integration practitioner


image Physical therapist


image Physical therapy aide


image Physical therapy assistant


image Physiologist


image Prosthetic assistant


image Prosthetic technician


image Recreational therapist


image Speech pathologist


image Teacher of the blind


image Teacher of the deaf


image Teacher of the handicapped


image Teacher of home therapy


image Teacher of vocational training


image Voice pathologist



The rehabilitation team works closely with the patient and family members to restore these functions. These occupations require optimism, creativity, persistence, and the ability to work with a variety of people. Additionally, the health care worker in rehabilitation must have strong listening and verbal skills, analytical ability, and patience to meet challenges and solve problems.



Physical Therapist


Physical therapists (PTs) work to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability after disease, injury, or loss of a body part. PTs may specialize in many areas of practice, including rehabilitation, community health, sports, industry, research, education, and administration (Fig. 31-1). Additionally, PTs may work for a hospital or other health care facility or practice privately. Admission to the fewer than 30 college programs in physical therapy is competitive. Entry-level practice with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or a related area and completion of certification is being phased out. Master’s level preparation is preferred. PTs are licensed by the state.


image
FIGURE 31-1 A physical therapist working with a patient.

Physical therapy assistants provide routine treatments under the supervision of a PT. This work includes application of hot and cold packs, ultraviolet and infrared light treatments, ultrasound and electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy. Assistants observe patients during treatment and record performance. Accredited programs that prepare physical therapy assistants require 2 years of college-level training and award an associate degree.



image Brain Byte


Water’s buoyancy makes swimming the ideal exercise for physical therapy and rehabilitation or for anyone seeking a low-impact exercise. An hour of vigorous swimming will burn up to 650 calories. It burns off more calories than walking or biking.


Kinesiotherapists work under the direction of a physician. They help patients strengthen and coordinate body movements with exercise. Kinesiotherapists specialize in maintaining muscle endurance, mobility, strength, and coordination. Their patients include those who are geriatric, have psychiatric needs, have physical or developmental disabilities, are striving for cardiac recovery, have been injured in sports, or have had amputations. Education for the kinesiotherapist includes a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology or physical education that includes an internship of at least 1000 hours of training. Certification is desirable but not required for all employment opportunities. National registration is available through the American Kinesiotherapy Association.


Orientation and mobility instructors or specialists help visually impaired and blind individuals to move about independently. Methods used to improve mobility include use of a cane, sensors, guide dogs, and electronic travel aids to help interpret the environment. A bachelor’s degree is minimal for entry-level positions, and a master’s degree is preferred. Certification for the orientation and mobility instructor is voluntary. Rehabilitation counseling provides the patient with career guidance and help in locating services that are necessary for successful employment.



Orthotist and Prosthetist


Orthotist and prosthetist practitioner programs usually require a baccalaureate degree. Certification is available through the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association after successful completion of an approved program, 1 year of experience, and a certification examination. Technicians help to produce the appliances designed by the professional, but they are not responsible for patient assessment. Registration is possible but not required for technicians.


Certified orthotists provide services for patients with disabling conditions of the limbs or spine. They design, fabricate, and fit braces or strengthening apparatus. Additionally, the orthotist supervises support personnel and laboratory activities necessary to develop new devices for straightening a distorted part (orthosis).


Certified prosthetists provide care to patients with partial or total absence of a limb and who use an artificial limb (prosthesis). Responsibilities of the prosthetist include design, material selection, production, instruction on use, and evaluation of the appliance. Myoelectronics is the technical term for electromechanical prostheses. Myoelectronic technology amplifies and transfers nerve impulses from the body into electrical current to drive a motor. Parts of the body that have been lost can be replaced with artificial devices. Prostheses can also be specially designed for sports activities, including swimming, skiing, running, and climbing.


Corrective therapists conduct physical exercise programs to prevent muscle deterioration in inactive patients. The corrective therapist teaches the use of braces, crutches, and canes. Elastic stockings may be used for patients with limited mobility to decrease the chance of embolus development (Fig. 31-2). (See Skill List 31-1, Applying Elastic Stockings, p. 501.) Corrective therapists may complete bachelor’s or master’s degrees.


image
FIGURE 31-2 Elastic stockings help to prevent the development of emboli.




Occupational Therapist


Occupational therapy helps patients reach the highest level of independent living by overcoming physical injury, birth defects, aging, or emotional and developmental problems. Occupational therapy uses activities to help a person develop, maintain, or regain skills that enable satisfying and independent living. Specific programs are developed to permit work, leisure, and play activities. Occupational therapists (OTs) use adaptive equipment such as splints, wheelchairs, canes, walkers, and prosthetic devices. They evaluate patients, plan the programs, and supervise or provide treatment. OTs analyze an activity to determine the adaptive skills required for the patient to perform it. OTs may be registered after successful completion of an accredited 4-year baccalaureate program, a minimum of 6 months’ clinical training, and a national examination. Master’s and doctoral programs are available for specialized practice and top-level employment. Most states require licensure to practice as an occupational therapist.



Health Careers in Practice



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Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Rehabilitative Careers

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