Therapists use their skills, talents, and specialized
knowledge to help ill or disabled persons to regain the ability to function
independently. They work with individuals who have physical, mental,
emotional or social handicaps. To help patients with recovery and adjustment
may require many and varied techniques and modalities of treatment;
therefore, persons interested in the field of therapy have numerous career
choices. They may choose from a variety of therapies, including art, dance,
music, sports and exercise, speech and hearing, physical, horticultural, and
occupational. Therapists combine the highly skilled services of their
specialties with their abilities to teach. The field of therapy is open to
individuals with diverse interests and talents. Some careers require a high
school education plus two years of training. Most require a bachelor’s degree
or graduate education. Many different opportunities are available for
individuals who want to help people by improving their ability to lead a
productive and enjoyable life
Audiologist
or Speech-Language Pathologist
Work Settings
An Audiologist or
Speech/Language Pathologist may work
independently or with a team of other professionals who may include physicians,
occupational therapists, physical therapists, hearing aid specialists, and/or
special education teachers.They may
work in private practice, public schools, industry, private and public
hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, schools for
the handicapped, nursing homes, colleges and universities, research
laboratories, and governmental agencies.
Special Requirements
A master’s degree in Audiology or speech/language pathology
is the standard credential in this field.In schools, people with bachelor’s degrees in speech/language pathology
may work with children who have communication problems.They may have to be certified by their state
educational agency, and may be classified as special education teachers rather
than audiologists or speech/language pathologists.Federal legislation requires speech/language
pathologists in school systems to have a minimum of a master’s degree or
equivalent.All States require
audiologists to hold a master’s degree or equivalent.
Educational Institutions
Audiology/Speech Pathology: UALR/UAMS, UCA (B); UALR/UAMS
(M & D)
Creative Arts
Therapists help individuals, families, and groups to achieve optimal
physical, psychological, and psychosocial functioning.Creative arts therapy is focused on
communication and expression and concentrates more on emotional processes than
the verbal therapies do.
Work Activities
Assessing
psychotherapeutic needs of clients and determining appropriate goals and
objectives
Developing,
evaluating, and directing creative arts therapy treatment plans
Charting
a client’s progress
Teaching
students and other professionals
Career Specialties
Art Therapists focus on the psychotherapeutic use of the visual
arts, such as drawing, painting, and clay modeling, and offer clients an
opportunity to express symbolically and resolve inner conflicts and painful or
confusing experiences in order to encourage personal growth and
development.Art Therapists may
specialize in working with certain age groups or persons with specific
emotional problems, such as post-traumatic stress
Dance/Movement Therapists help individuals use movement to
strengthen body image, alter feelings, increase coping skills, and improve
orientation to reality.They work with
people of every age and level of progress.
Drama Therapists use creative drama, theater, and roleplaying to promote the goals of emotional and physical
rehabilitation, symptom relief, and personal growth.
Music Therapists, through the use of creative and structured
sounds, assist clients with improving and maintaining skills in communication,
socialization, motor development and functioning, and sensory awareness.
Poetry Therapists help individuals to achieve therapeutic goals
and personal growth through poetry and other evocative literature.
Work Settings
Creative Arts Therapy Personnel may work as members of a
treatment team or as individual practitioners.They serve individuals, couples, families, and groups.Employment settings include hospitals,
clinics, private offices, schools, universities, training institutes,
psychiatric centers, businesses, government agencies, law enforcement agencies,
and prisons.
Special Requirements
Art Therapists are required to have a master’s degree form
an accredited are therapy program.To
become a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) with the American Art Therapy
Association, an applicant also must complete a specific number of hours of
supervised clinical service.Dance
Therapists also must obtain a master’s degree from an accredited university in
either dance therapy or a related field.There are two levels of national registration: Registered Dance Therapists
(DTRs) are qualified to work in a professional
treatment system, and Registered Academy of Dance Therapists (ADTRs) are qualified to teach, provide supervision, and
engage in private practice.Upon
completion of either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in music therapy from an
accredited program, Music Therapists are required to complete a clinical
internship at an approved facility.The
National Association for Music Therapy provides certification as a Registered
Music Therapist (RMT), and the American Association for Music Therapy provides
certification as a Certified Music Therapist (CMT).Psychodramatists
must have a minimum of a master’s degree in a mental health-related field from
an accredited school.The applicant also
must obtain additional training and one year of supervised experience and pass
a written examination.
Occupational
Therapists conduct and direct specialized therapeutic programs to help
people with physical, psychological, or developmental problems regain their abilities
or adjust to their handicaps. The scope and objective of each treatment program
vary according to the individual patient’s needs and capabilities. Several
types of workers with different skill and educational levels are employed in
this field.
Programs in occupational therapy offer the education needed
to provide services to individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of
daily life are threatened or impaired. Developmental handicaps, physical
injuries or illnesses, psychological and social problems, age, and economic and
cultural barriers are some of the factors affecting individuals who require the
services of Occupational Therapists.
Work Activities
Planning
individual therapy programs using selected activities
Consulting
with other members of the treatment team to coordinate the most
appropriate program
Selecting
activities and programs according to the needs and capabilities of
individual patients
Teaching
patients the skills and techniques that are required for participation in
activities
Evaluating
patients’ progress, attitudes, and behaviors
Designing
special equipment to aid disabled patients
Teaching
patients how to adjust to home and work activities and to social
environments
Testing
and evaluating patients’ physical and mental abilities
Preparing
patients’ progress charts
Lecturing
to various professionals, students, and community groups about
occupational therapy
Occupational Therapy
Assistants aid Occupational Therapists in administering programs for
patients in need of rehabilitation services. They assist in the evaluation of
the patient’s daily living skills and capacities. They also instruct patients
in such activities as self-care, homemaking, social skills, and crafts. They
order supplies and help maintain tools, equipment, and records.
Occupational Therapy
Aides work under the direction of Occupational Therapists and Occupational
Therapy Assistants. They perform support services, such as transporting
patients, assembling equipment, and preparing and maintaining work areas for
patient use.
Career Specialties
Occupational Therapists usually work with certain types of
disabilities and age groups. Often they start their careers in general patient
care, but eventually choose a treatment specialty, such as pediatrics,
gerontology, or psychiatry. They may work as staff therapists, senior
therapists, supervisors, clinical directors, activity coordinators,
administrators, consultants, researchers, or educators.
Vocational Rehabilitation Therapists arrange paid employment
for patients in an actual work environment. They also determine the work
activities that will provide the greatest therapeutic value for a patient.
Work Settings
Occupational Therapists usually work as part of a team. In
most cases they work with physicians, physical and speech therapists, nurses,
social workers, psychologists, vocational counselors, teachers, and other
specialists. They may supervise certified and non-certified Assistants, Aides,
and volunteers.
Most work is performed indoors; however, some Occupational
Therapists occasionally supervise outdoor recreational and rehabilitation
activities, such as games, gardening, and exercises. Often they are required to
make visits to a patient’s home and school to determine the patient’s rate of
progress and adjustment to the treatments.
Special Requirements
A college degree and a certificate in occupational therapy
from an accredited program are required to become an Occupational Therapist.
After students complete the six- to nine-month clinical practice portion of the
program and graduate, they are eligible to take the examination to become a
Registered Occupational Therapist. Also, training in occupational therapy is
available at the master’s degree level. Assistants in this occupation may
become certified after completing a two-year approved training program and
passing an examination.
Physical Therapists
plan, administer, and conduct physical therapy treatment for patients referred
to them by other health care practitioners in order to restore functioning,
relieve pain, and prevent disability following disease, injury, or loss of a
body part.
Work Activities
Evaluating
the physician’s referral and the patient’s medical records to determine what type of physical therapy is
required
Performing
patient tests, measurements, and evaluations, including range-of-motion and
manual-muscle tests, gait and functional analyses, and body-parts
measurements
Administering
manual therapeutic exercises to improve or maintain muscle function
Instructing
and motivating patients in non-manual exercises (i.e., isometrics) and in
functional activities (i.e., ambulation)
Administering
treatments involving the application of light, heat, water, and
electricity
Evaluating
the effects of treatments and of their duration, then adjusting treatments
to achieve maximum benefits
Performing
deep and surface massage techniques
Administering
traction to relieve neck and back pain
Instructing
patients and their families in physical therapy procedures to be continued
at home
Training
patients in the use of prosthetic and orthotic
devices and recommending modifications
Conferring
with physicians, social workers, nurses, psychologists, and other
therapists regarding patient cases
Physical Therapist
Assistants are skilled technical workers who help administer tests and
treatment programs under the direction of the Physical Therapist. Physical Therapy Aides perform routine
tasks related to physical therapy service. They may assist patients in
preparing for treatment sessions. They transport patients to and from treatment
areas, arrange treatment supplies and equipment, clean work areas and equipment
after sessions, and perform other duties assigned by the Physical Therapist.
Career Specialties
The physical therapy profession has developed certified
clinical specialties in the areas of sports medicine, orthopedics, pediatrics,
clinical electrophysiological testing, geriatrics, neurology, and
cardiopulmonary. Physical Therapists may be engaged actively in research,
teaching, consultation, administration, or community health.
Work Settings
Physical Therapy Personnel often work as part of a team
under the supervision of higher level personnel, such as a Chief Physical
Therapist or a department head. Physical Therapists may supervise Physical
Therapist Assistants and Physical Therapy Aides. Physical Therapists work with
physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists,
and other specialists. Some Physical Therapists are in private practice.
Physical Therapists may work in private and public hospitals, clinics,
rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, schools for the handicapped,
nursing homes, colleges and universities, research laboratories, and
governmental agencies. Usually they work indoors; however, those who treat
patients at home or who are consultants for agencies perform their duties under
a variety of working conditions.
Special Requirements
To become licensed in Arkansas
as a Physical Therapist, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age,
graduate from a school of physical therapy approved by the Commission on Accreditation
of Physical Therapy Education, and pass an examination.
To become licensed in Arkansas
as a Physical Therapy Assistant, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age,
graduate from a two-year college program for Physical Therapy Assistants that
has been approved by the certifying board, and pass an examination.
Educational Institutions
Physical Therapy Assistant/Aide:
ASUJ, NWACC, OZC, SACC,
UCA (All A)
Respiratory Care
Therapists and Respiratory Care Technicians treat patients who have
difficulty breathing because of cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) problems. The
heart and lungs are interrelated, so problems in one area usually affect the
other. Treatments may include temporary or long-term therapy for patients with
lung disorders, such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or pneumonia, and
emergency care for victims of heart failure, chest injuries, stroke, shock,
premature birth, or post-surgical complications.
Work Activities
Reviewing
prescriptions, planning treatment procedures, and explaining them to
patients
Setting
up and operating equipment, including oxygen, gas, and mist inhalation
equipment, iron lungs, tents, masks, catheters, and incubators used in
administering prescribed doses of medicinal gases and drugs (aerosols)
Monitoring
patients undergoing treatment and notifying other personnel of any harmful
reactions
Showing
patients and their families how to use the equipment at home
Teaching
patients special breathing exercises designed to clear the lungs of fluid
Conducting
diagnostic tests of patients’ cardiopulmonary functions
Preparing
and maintaining a treatment chart for each patient
Inspecting
and testing equipment to ensure proper functioning
Respiratory Care Therapists and Respiratory Care Technicians
perform essentially the same duties. However, Therapists are expected to have a
higher level of expertise and may be involved in diagnostic studies under the
direct supervision of a physician. Therapists may be expected to assume some
teaching, consulting, and supervisory duties.
Career Specialties
Although Respiratory Care Therapists are involved primarily
in the treatment of cardiopulmonary problems, some specialize in diagnostic
testing. Pulmonary Technicians and Pulmonary Technologists perform a wide range
of diagnostic tests of the pulmonary (lung) system. Many make preliminary
analyses of test data and present their findings to a physician. The test
results help physicians evaluate how well a patient’s lungs are functioning.
This is necessary in order to determine if the prescribed therapy is resulting
in improvement and to detect the presence and extent of disease. Some
Respiratory Care Therapists work primarily in adult, pediatric, or neonatal
(newborn) critical care units.
Work Settings
Respiratory Care Therapists supervise and are assisted by
Respiratory Care Technicians and Respiratory Care Assistants. In the absence of
registered Therapists, certified Respiratory Care Technicians may supervise
other Respiratory Care Personnel. The work setting for these personnel is
usually a hospital. Often they work under emergency conditions to maintain or
to start a patient’s breathing. They also have responsibility in the care of
critically ill patients and must exercise careful judgment. They assume the
responsibility of working with and maintaining expensive equipment. Hazards
include working with pressurized gas sources and with electrical equipment.
Special Requirements
Although certification and registration are not necessary to
practice respiratory therapy in some states, many employers prefer workers with
these credentials. There are two credential levels for respiratory care
practitioners: the Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (C.R.T.T.) and the
Registered Respiratory Therapist (R.T.T.).
C.R.T.T.sare typically graduates of a one-year certificate program.
They administer general respiratory care and may assume clinical
responsibilities for specified respiratory care modalities involving the
application of well-defined therapeutic techniques under the supervision of a
respiratory therapist and/or physician. R.R.T.sare typically graduates of degree programs at least two
years in length. They apply scientific knowledge and theory to practical
clinical problems of respiratory care and are qualified to assume primary
responsibilities for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision
of respiratory therapy technicians (C.R.T.T.s). Under
the supervision of a physician, the R.R.T. is often required to exercise
considerable independent clinical judgment in the respiratory care of patients.
Therapeutic
Recreation Specialists design and implement education about leisure
activities to improve the functional skills of their clients. Recreation
participation programs focus on providing clients with opportunities to make
independent choices for their enjoyment or self-expression. Therapeutic
Recreation Specialists assist people of all ages who are challenged by
disabling conditions that interfere with independence in play, recreation, and
leisure. They help their clients to overcome social, emotional, attitudinal, or
environmental barriers so they can develop and maintain a personally meaningful
leisure lifestyle.
Work Activities
Assessing
the client’s needs and functional abilities
Planning
and implementing goal-oriented programs
Documenting
the client’s progress
Monitoring
and performing quality assurance activities
Leading
activities that help the client to focus on leisure awareness, skill
development, resource identification, and community integration
Career Specialties
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists may specialize in various
areas of interest, including aquatics and arts and crafts. It is helpful to be
creative, innovative, and have good organizational skills.
Work Settings
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists work in public, private, federal,
and state agencies. Employment opportunities are numerous in clinical and
community settings where Therapeutic Recreation Specialists may act as
therapists, educators, counselors, facilitators, and advocates.
Special Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation (or in
recreation with an option in therapeutic recreation) is the usual requirement
for hospital and other clinical positions. An associate’s degree or qualifying
work experience may be sufficient for activity director positions in nursing
homes.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Regional Programs
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Therapists use their skills, talents, and specialized
knowledge to help ill or disabled persons to regain the ability to function
independently. They work with individuals who have physical, mental,
emotional or social handicaps. To help patients with recovery and adjustment
may require many and varied techniques and modalities of treatment;
therefore, persons interested in the field of therapy have numerous career
choices. They may choose from a variety of therapies, including art, dance,
music, sports and exercise, speech and hearing, physical, horticultural, and
occupational. Therapists combine the highly skilled services of their
specialties with their abilities to teach. The field of therapy is open to
individuals with diverse interests and talents. Some careers require a high
school education plus two years of training. Most require a bachelor’s degree
or graduate education. Many different opportunities are available for
individuals who want to help people by improving their ability to lead a
productive and enjoyable life