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Posts Tagged ‘rehabilitation therapy’

Trends in Long Term Facility Rehab Programs

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

As the population ages and requires more complex rehabilitation therapy, the services offered by long term care facilities are moving forward with the times. For example, the roles of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and their travel therapy counterparts are expanding in nursing homes and other extended care facilities. Rehab therapists in these facilities no longer only care for the long term needs of permanent residents. Skilled nursing facilities also offer transitional therapies for residents that often reside there for thirty days or less. Many patients recovering from stroke, head trauma or other serious conditions are now recovering in long term care facilities. This creates another dimension of patient care for the physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists who work in these facilities.

Rehab therapists working in skilled nursing facilities are also seeing their job descriptions expand. In addition to putting their patients through the paces of conventional therapy programs, all areas of therapy are discovering positive therapeutic outcomes in many new areas of treatment. Some of these areas include alternative medicine (or what was once considered “alternative”) such as pilates, yoga, and tai chi (popular especially in the elderly population). Other treatment areas fall under the category of technology like Nintendo Wii, virtual reality that mimics a patient’s home and computer cognitive training programs.

In addition to adding value to the way they treat patients, therapists and their colleagues at these facilities are also taking advantage of advances in technology to make their own jobs more efficient. Electronic documentation, web based case management software and robotic machines that assist with patient transfers, ensuring the health and safety of staff, are also results of technological advancements. As the advancement of trends in long term care facilities mirrors the demand for new traveling therapists, the need for travel physical therapists, traveling occupational therapists and travel speech therapists is expected to continue rising.

* April 2009, McKnight’s Long Term Care News

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Home Based PT, OT Helps Seniors Live Longer

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

There are specific benefits for people who recover from injuries, convalesce from illnesses, and receive palliative end of life care in the home versus in a hospital or extended care facility. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and travel therapists in these fields play key roles in home health care, especially for seniors. Now, there is recent research showing just how valuable physical and occupational therapy can be for the elderly in their homes.

The study was done by researchers from the Applied Research no Aging and Health at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. The study participants were seniors living in their homes who were otherwise healthy but starting to experience functional challenges (trouble bending, opening jars, button clothing, get out of the tub, etc.).

It showed that those who received specific physical and occupational therapy interventions lived on average three and a half years longer than those who did not receive the rehab therapy. In addition to physical and occupational therapy, the intervention also included minor safety modifications to participants’ homes.

Physical and occupational therapists play valuable assessment, problem solving and therapeutic roles in home health. Therapists as well as traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists teach seniors to perform activities of daily living in a safe way that conserve energy, provide balance and stability training, educate seniors and their families about fall prevention, and provide memory retraining exercises in some instances.

Rehabilitation therapy interventions in the homes have been proven to increase the life expectancy, social and psychological health and quality of life for America’s aging population. There is a huge need for physical therapy travel jobs and occupational therapy travel jobs (and those who aspire to enter the field) who want to make a difference in this area of home health.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Rehab Therapy Critical for Burn Victims

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Burns are one of the most traumatic injuries the human body can endure.  Multiple body systems are simultaneously involved and, depending on the severity, burns can appear deceivingly non-threatening while doing most of their dirty work beneath the damaged skin. Damaged blood vessels dilate causing inflammation and edema are typically listed among many other life threatening problems.  Once the patient is stabilized and undergoes graft surgery, the rehabilitation work begins.

Following surgery, the possibility of webbing between fingers and toes along with the presence of scar tissue and its potential to prevent debilitating contractures, especially in joints, requires the skilled touch of a physical therapist. Patients with the most severe (third and fourth degree) burns are the ones who most often require intensive physical therapy (often called “physiotherapy” for those traveling physical therapist considering assignments in English speaking countries overseas). If not prevented through rehabilitation, skin, joint, muscle, tendon and ligament contractures can have a devastating effect on a burn patient’s life.  Rigid, contracted limbs can easily become the end of mobility and independence for patients.

Speech therapists and speech language pathologists are also an integral part of the burn patient’s treatment team in the case of smoke inhalation injuries.  Occupational therapists have a vital role in helping burn patients relearn activities of daily living.

Traveling physical therapists, travel occupational therapists and travel speech therapists all have the opportunity to have a positive and permanent effect on the lives of burn patients around the world. With the average rehabilitation time for serious burns being 18 months to two years, there are undoubtedly many opportunities for assignments in this area of patient care.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Technology Boom Excellent for Rehab Therapists

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Steve Jobs and his counterparts at Blackberry, Sidekick and all the other technological wonders that I personally do not own, are a physical therapist and occupational therapist’s dream come true. Opposable thumbs certainly have their benefits, however when hyper-flexed for long periods of time in the awkward positions required for texting, tweeting on Twitter, and jumping from “app” (application) to app elsewhere, thumbs can become seriously impaired. Repetitive movement of any joint can lead to joint, ligament, tendon and muscle problems. When those joints happen to be the ones that we humans use the most, in our fingers, a therapeutic solution becomes a necessity to relieve the pain and inflammation that results.

Fortunately for physical therapists and occupational therapists, America’s addiction with the phalangeal abuse associated with the latest and greatest technological gadgets appears to be gaining momentum. Traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists get to experience the benefits of treating “blackberry thumb” in exciting destinations across the country. Today in PT recently reported that physical therapists in Nevada are currently experiencing the highest average salary at $80,960. Physical therapists in California, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Texas, West Virginia and Alaska are also benefiting from the increasing demand for therapists and traveling physical therapists, along with the rising competitive salaries that accompany that demand.

Whether you are an experienced physical or occupational therapist or a new graduate, if you have a taste for travel and a thirst for new learning experiences, a career as a traveling rehabilitation therapist may be just what you’re looking for. If you are considering a travel career, now is the time to act (visit our “apply now” page for more information). As Americans continue to text and Twitter their way to repetitive use injuries, along with the plethora of other conditions requiring rehab therapy, the demand for traveling therapists will only increase.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Rehab Therapy at Work

Monday, March 30th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Physical and occupational therapy in the workplace can prevent further physical pain and trauma for employees and legal headaches for employers. Occupational rehab therapists play a valuable role in teaching healthy, uninjured employees how to stay that way, promote workplace ergonomics, and conduct OSHA training among their many other teaching, training and therapeutic tasks. They also screen at-risk employees for high blood pressure and other potentially dangerous and medically liable conditions while assisting injured patients return to work.

In order to perform these vital functions in the workplace, occupational and physical therapists must have the traditional Master’s degree from an accredited program required for work as an OT or PT, as well as having passed the national licensure exam. The rehab therapist working in occupational health may also be required to obtain continuing education in workplace specific areas such as ergonomics and OSHA, depending on the employer or agency.

Or, in the case of one Ohio man the certification list could include “none of the above.” Earlier this year, Michael Stinson, accused of performing physical therapy on occupational health clients without a license, was convicted and sentenced to 37 months in federal prison. His sentence also included repaying over 2 million dollars to the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation and the IRS.

Fortunately for legitimate rehabilitation therapists and travel therapists working in physical and occupational therapy, there is plenty of legal money to be earned in an occupational health career or travel assignment in this area. Worker’s compensation claims and in the worst cases, lawsuits, can be traumatic for both employer and employee alike. Occupational and physical therapists have the expertise, skills and special gift for employee training, that can help employer’s meet the universal goal of reducing illness and injury in the workplace.

Traveling physical therapists and traveling occupational therapists with a special passion for teaching and safety training should mention their interest in a workplace occupational health assignment to their travel agency recruiter.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Rehabilitation Therapy in the Home

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

If you love being a rehab therapist, whether in physical or occupational therapy or speech language pathology, but working in a hospital or other traditional clinical setting is not for you, consider the more intimate atmosphere of a career or a travel therapy career in home health. There are a variety of reasons for the growing number of patients requiring rehabilitation therapy at home, from the aging population of America and their complex medical needs to insurance limitations on inpatient and therefore in-house therapy time.

Home health rehabilitation therapy assignments may include helping the stroke patient restore function and ability, providing range of motion and flexibility exercises for hospice or bed bound patients or speech therapy for children with disabilities such as Autism.  Working with patients in the familiarity and comfort of their own home may also increase patient compliance with the treatment objectives. Another perk is ensuring that at the very least, your patient will show up for treatment.

Fast Facts*:

  • Average Home Health Physical Therapist Salary: $54,000
  • Average Home Health Occupational Therapist Salary: $53,000
  • Average Home Health Speech Language Pathologist salary: $59,000

A travel physical therapist, travel  occupational therapist or travel speech language pathologist working in home health will see several patients in the course of their 6-8 hour work day. With an expanding population of patients requiring home health rehabilitation services, there is a growing demand for rehabilitation therapists, including those in travel careers. Recruiters are accepting applications from both new and experienced physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists who prefer working with patients in the privacy and comfort of their own home. If this is you, be sure and visit our “apply now” page and get matched with a travel agency that best fits your needs.

*Simplyhired.com; salaries vary based on therapist experience and location of assignment.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Physical and Occupational Therapy: Complementary Medicine

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

What was once called “alternative” or eastern medicine has come a long way here in the west.  Practitioners are now looking beyond simple slicing, dicing and drugging and seeing the whole patient versus an assembly of parts.  I can personally attest to the prevalence of this philosophy in nursing practice, where the concepts of holistic or complementary medicine started as one aspect of a nursing school education and are now rooted in it.

Rehabilitation therapists have many unique opportunities to incorporate concepts of holistic and complementary medicine into their practice.  The very basis of physical and occupational therapy, assisting a patient in restoring function and quality of life, requires looking at the patient as a whole person and integrating their mind body and spirit.  The rehab therapist looks at the effect of the patient injury or disability, even if it seemingly just affects one body part, on all aspects of the patient’s health, their personal life and work. Building on this expertise, a variety of complementary medicine modalities that may be career opportunities for rehabilitation therapists are gaining popularity.

  • Music Therapy: playing a musical instrument can improve a patient’s fine motor function in their fingers, hands and wrists; listening to classical music has been proven to elicit relaxation effects in patients, particularly in times of pain (useful for PT sessions)
  • Art Therapy: a useful method of psychotherapy with a proven ability to improve the patient’s cognitive abilities
  • Animal-Assisted “Pet” Therapy: Specially trained animals can work alongside the trained therapist to improve patients’ fine motor skills, balance and develop recreation skills; excellent opportunity for the pet loving occupational therapist.
  • Therapeutic Touch or other Energy Therapies: A perfect adjunct for the rehabilitation therapy industry, which relies so much on hands-on guiding, supporting and demonstrating movement to the patient.

The objectives of these modalities share the main objective of traditional physical and occupational therapy, to improve the patient’s functional ability. Some of these areas may require special training for the already certified therapist or traveling physical or occupational therapist interesting in exploring opportunities on the road.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Parent of a Child with Autism Offers Advice To Travel Therapists

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh RN, BSN

Building a strong patient-provider relationship with the parents of a child with a disability is one of the most important bonds a rehabilitation therapist can develop. The care giving parent has a finely tuned radar of their child’s behaviors, responses and tendencies. Parents can be excellent barometers for the physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech pathologist of how well the child’s therapy goals are being met. For the travel physical therapist, travel occupational therapist or travel speech pathologist parents can be a vital source of background information on a new patient.

I recently spoke with the mother of a 10 year old boy with autism. She is a self-described, extremely hands-on mom who has always been a very active partner in her son Jonathan’s rehabilitation therapy. Jonathan has worked with physical therapists and speech therapists, some who have traveled to the family’s home for rehabilitation therapy.

What are some things you like the best about the rehabilitation therapists who have worked with your son?

Patience is very important. I obviously also like it when the therapist is a nice person. However I also need them to be strict and firm with my son because that’s how I am with him. Don’t baby him. Be a good nice person but lay down a firm hand when you have to.

I like it when he learns a lot from his therapists. I can see a big difference when my child has learned a lot from someone or if they haven’t. If at the end of the school year, they’re the same child they were at the beginning of the year, and nothing has changed, then I won’t be all that impressed with the physical therapist, speech therapist, or whomever Jonathan is working with throughout the year.

In general, I think it’s all about who loves their job and loves what they do.  It’s important for someone to really have the experience, patience and take the time to teach my child new things. I like when therapists take the time to observe my son, learn how he behaves and how he has a certain way of doing things. You really need to take the time to sit there and observe the child, instead of just expecting that he will behave like a “typical” autistic child.

I also like when they make an effort to involve me in the treatment progress. For example, a speech therapist is currently using a new speech device with Jonathan. Every time she sees me at school, she stops and tells me all about the speech therapy sessions. I like that involvement. When the therapists show me how my son is doing I get excited too.

What are some things you like the least about some of the therapists who have worked with Jonathan?

I can always tell if my son does not like a therapist or if he’s not happy and comfortable with them. It’s easy to see when a therapist is lacking in their job skills, when my son is not learning anything from them, or when they’re not being as good or as patient with Jonathan as they should be. The bottom line and most important thing, is that whether my son is comfortable with the therapist. If he’s not – I’m not.

What advice would you give physical therapists, occupational therapists or speech therapists about working with children with disabilities?

It’s very important to be who you are as a person and make sure that you communicate well with the child. You need to have some kind of relationship with the child. I always tell the therapists to make sure you get to know my son, build a relationship and that you have to make him trust you. You need to let him know that you can trust him. Let the child know that you know him and you understand his ways and behaviors. Also, a lot of children with disabilities can sense when a therapist is new (to the field) and they try to get away with things. You have to be firm.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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