Careers in healthcare: physical therapy vs. occupational therapy

Healthcare jobs targeted at patient rehabilitation are rewarding careers with strong job outlooks. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are two routes within the patient rehabilitation realm that help people regain their independence in one capacity or another. While PTs and OTs may concurrently work toward similar goals, they have independent backgrounds and education that cater to specific patient needs.

In the most fundamental sense, PTs help patients with injuries or diseases regain, retain and promote mobility. OTs help patients with injuries or physical or cognitive impairments become more self-sufficient in their day-to-day lives, according to the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association, respectively. St. Catherine University, in partnership with Genesis Rehab Services, explained the difference between the work of the two therapy types. PTs care for and try to heal the patient’s physical impairment, while OTs address and care for the impairment in real life scenarios.

Physical therapy
PTs strive for optimal physical function in patients who are injured or ill. Specifically, PTs help restore and improve movement through healing and strengthening exercises targeted at areas of need. The APTA said this specialized education enables PTs to perform in-depth diagnosis and create management and intervention plans in regard to physical and functional abilities at a higher level than other healthcare professionals. The education, work and practice of PT is rooted in science.

Daily duties for PTs include, but are not limited to:

• Diagnosing patients’ weak areas of physical function through observation of and conversations with patients.
• Coordinating a care plan for patients to improve or overcome physical impairments.
• Employing exercises, stretches, equipment and hands-on therapy.
• Conducting reexaminations and modifying the course of action if needed.
• Establishing discharge plans.

If individuals want to pursue a career in PT, a doctor of physical therapy degree is required. A DPT typically spans three years after earning a bachelor’s degree. Healthcare staffing agencies often offer scholarships or tuition reimbursement to aid in schooling costs. Aureus Medical Group has a tuition reimbursement program that awards up to $12,000 to potential PTs.

A PT salary fluctuates based on factors that include: geographic location, level of education, practice setting and years of experience. An APTA 2013 Median Income of Physical Therapists Summary Report announced a median PT salary of $85,000.

PTs generally work in hospitals, nursing homes and privately owned PT offices and clinics, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The APTA listed additional workplaces as homes, schools, fitness centers, sports training facilities and hospices. Directly out of school, PTs are eligible for full-time positions as a travel PT. Work as a travel PT opens the door to assignment opportunities across the U.S. This is unique to PT because most healthcare positions require a minimum of one or two years of experience prior to joining the travel healthcare field.

The BLS predicted 36 percent growth in PT employment from 2012 to 2022. This is much faster than average given the mean growth rate for all occupations is 11 percent.

Occupational therapy
OT is the sole profession that works with people of all ages and abilities to reach life functions and goals through therapy, according to the AOTA. They look at the big picture and adapt the environment or task to accommodate the patient’s specific physical or cognitive needs. An OT’s day can range from helping a child with a disability participate in social situations to helping an older adult tackle safely cooking or shaving. The education, work and practice of OT is based on science.

Daily duties for OTs include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting an initial evaluation while also reviewing medical history to determine goals.
• Determining and implementing intervention strategies to increase the ability to perform daily physical and social activities.
• Developing a daily or weekly regimen for patients to carry out between therapy sessions.
• Recommending assistive equipment, such as a walker, and potential areas for improvement in a patient’s home or workplace, such as a shower seat, for easier ability.

The minimum required degree to become an occupational therapist is a master’s degree of occupational therapy. These programs are typically two years and require a bachelor’s degree as a base. Earning a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy is another education route. OTD programs run around three years following undergraduate school.

According to an AOTA 2015 Salary and Workforce Survey, OTs are less likely to be paid a salary today than in previous years. Instead, they commonly are paid by the hour or by service. In 2012, OTs made a median hourly pay of $36.25, according the BLS. Similar to PT, wage is dependent on many factors.

Roughly half of the OT workforce works in hospitals or OT offices, said the BLS. The remaining balance of OTs work in home health services, nursing homes, physicians’ offices and schools.

The BLS projected 29 percent growth in OT employment from 2012 to 2022. Again, this is a more accelerated growth rate than the average for all occupations.