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The 10 Best Jobs for a Health Care Career

By Susan - Tuesday 14 Apr 11:00 am

A health care career and the studies thereto can be the springboard for many other exciting job opportunities. The study of health care administration or management is a vastly popular choice, and allows for our medical facilities and hospitals to be placed under the best possible care in terms of safety, efficiency, services and employment satisfaction. Choosing to step into a health care career would enable you to play a part in this vital role in constantly updating and improving health care service from a patient perspective as well as from an employee’s perspective.

Some of the many other job opportunities available under the wide brim of health care career are as follows (in no particular order):

  1. Hospital Manager or Assistant Hospital Manager: This position requires someone who can delegate duties and issue jobs and responsibilities. The object is to involve all hospital employees so that the everyday tasks are equally distributed, and everyone is doing their part to contribute. It also involves overseeing all hospital matters.
  2. Program Developer: This health care career involves the successful development and implementation of health care programs within medical institutions. There are various fields or programs within this career that can be entered into.
  3. Quality Improvement Specialist: The title of this health care career is pretty much self explanatory. Quality control and improvement is a stringent exercise in medical care, and requires a dedicated person to see its coordination is smooth and fully operative.
  4. Health Benefits Specialist: A health benefits specialist sees to it that patients eligible for benefits are fully compensated. Benefits from business packages and medical insurance schemes are the most common and all the financial and administrative aspects of this will be handled within this health care career.
  5. Health Program Liaison: This health care career is one of management, coordination and interaction with staff, sponsors if applicable and all involved within the health program initiatives. Their primary role is to manage the processes involved in the setting up of health care programs.
  6. Community Health Project Specialist: A health care career working with community health will be most rewarding. This position ensures that health care within the community is efficient, well serving and beneficial to those who use its services.
  7. HR Specialist: HR stands for Human Resources, and every business runs more smoothly with a human resources department. This health care career involves the hiring and firing of staff, training where applicable, performance evaluations and employee related operations.
  8. Patient Coordinator: The health care career of patient coordinator involves one to one interaction with patients to inform them of all their available choices with regards to the latest technology, medical advances etc. They offer their patients all the background information available.
  9. Medical Office Assistant: This career involves all the background duties that no one ever sees, but that are imperative to the successful management of health care. Involving issuing computerized medical accounts and records, medical insurance processing, billing and all administrative procedures
  10. Patient Access Representative: This health care career is geared towards full service for patients and ensuring that they are welcomed into your facility individually and properly. You would make sure that they are registered efficiently, settled into their ward or room properly and tend to their needs, requests and issues.

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

The Top 10 Best Schools for Health Care Administration Training

By Susan - Sunday 12 Apr 11:00 am

A Health Care Administrator is a top quality position within the medical field. It is a position that keeps successful business conduction, patient wellness and employee performance and satisfaction at the top of its list of priorities. Being a health care administrator basically entails managing the business aspect of health care facilities so that the health and medical care aspect can operate to its optimum without the worry of the foundation falling out from underneath it.

It takes a certain kind of individual to be a health care administrator as it can involve high intensities of work, high levels of stress and requires the ability to be diplomatic and considerate in all decision making. If you feel that this position is perfectly suited to you, then the medical and health field could more than likely benefit from your service as a health care administrator.

Here are some of the top rated schools where you can study to be a health care administrator, rated according to US News and World Report (in no particular order):

  1. University of California (Berkeley Haas): Haas believes that there are numerous challenges within the health care industry, and equipping health care administrators with the keys to overcoming these challenges is what keeps health care operating to its optimum
  2. Northwestern University (Kellogg): Kellogg University recognises the continuing and increasing need for expert health management services, and provides their students with the correct tools to tackle these pressures
  3. University of Washington: This University prides itself on developing professional health care administrators with the ability to lead and provide superior example
  4. University of Minnesota (Twin Cities): This University is ranked among one of the most prestigious nationwide as well as internationally. The health care administrator course is particularly highly recommended
  5. University of California (Berkeley School of Public Health): This University believes in offering its students world class tuition so that they in turn can offer world class services to the health care industry
  6. University of Alabama (Birmingham): As well as consistently being among the top ranked schools offering health care administrator studies, this school also has prestigious continued education programs that are equally as well ranked
  7. Virginia Commonwealth University: As well as being well ranked by US News and World Reports, this University’s health care administrator program has also been highly recommended by Modern Healthcare
  8. University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill): This University is always ranked top in all studies, and offers superior tuition. They are also particularly stringent with admissions for health care administrator studies.
  9. University of Michigan (Ann Arbor): This University has been voted number one by US News and World since they began rankings in 1993 for Health Care Administrator and Health Management Studies.
  10. University of Pennysylvania (Wharton): This exceptional school offers an intensive series of research in training, business systems and health care. They apply all their research findings to current day issues so as to get a realistic handle on what a career as a health care administrator involves.

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

Is it better to take a Clinical Research Job in Occupational Therapy?

By Susan - Thursday 9 Apr 11:00 am

When opting to go into the employ of occupational therapy, there are a vast number of choices you can make as to which arena you’d like to work in. All of these positions and the knowledge backing them up are explored by people with a clinical research job in occupational therapy. Clinical research is an integral part of occupational therapy and provides an informative platform for occupational therapists to work from.

Clinical research jobs in occupational therapy are the basis for the practice of occupational therapy and its success with the vastly different patients, cases and disabilities that walk through the door. It is basically the collection of information for treatment purposes, the valuation of this treatment and the improvement of such. Without clinical research jobs in occupational therapy, there would be no foundation for therapists to base their studies and treatments on. Clinical research jobs in occupational therapy continually update therapists and medical sources with their most recent findings with regards to occupational therapy treatment, and what works and what doesn’t.

Clinical research jobs in occupational therapy are responsible for updating findings with current research and treatment methods. Finding innovative new ways to improve occupational therapy treatments is always of primary importance for clinical researchers. Other significant duties carried out by clinical research jobs in occupational therapy include:

  • Full assessments of the results obtained from drug trials and tests
  • Measuring the results obtained in patients through continued occupational therapy treatments of varying degrees
  • Recognizing fine and gross motor patterns and responses according to specific tests and treatments
  • Implementing and putting testing in place for new treatment methods

Opting to follow the path of clinical research jobs in occupational therapy usually requires that you already have your degree in occupational therapy. It is offered as an advanced module of study. It can take from up to 8 weeks to complete the studies for clinical research jobs in occupational therapy. They are offered through private institutions as well as through Universities and local colleges.

There are clinical research jobs in occupational therapy at almost all medical institutions and occupational therapy centres. A lot of medical institutions outsource clinical research jobs in occupational therapy, so you can find a plethora of job availability through online portals or medical recruitments agencies. Jobs might be offered through your study centres.

Certain prerequisites need to be in place before considering clinical research jobs in occupational therapy. You will need to have studied or be studying occupational therapy and have your masters or doctorate degree. The clinical research advanced segment can be incorporated into your occupational therapy studies. Added to this is the basics abilities to manage numerous priorities is a plus as is having a basic knowledge of data capturing.

With such a vital need for clinical research jobs in occupational therapy and the fact that senior position salaries are competitive and almost in line with occupational therapists, there are very positive reasons as to why you should elect to take a clinical research job in occupational therapy.

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

Should I become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

By Susan - Sunday 5 Apr 11:00 am

Choosing to become an occupational therapy assistant is by no means downgrading from occupational therapist. Your level of skill must still be competitive and you must still possess an earnest desire to help people with disabilities. You will also be required to work hands on with patients in assisting them through their phases of healing and rehabilitation by various means of treatment and initiating exercises. An occupational therapy assistant is just as important to the job as the occupational therapist is.

By being an occupational therapy assistant, you are opening yourself up to the world of occupational therapy by taking the passenger seat in all business operations and consultations. It is an excellent platform to view the workings of an occupational therapist’s rooms and further decipher if that is the route that you will take in the future. Many occupational therapy assistants opt to remain in that position for the rest of their careers, by choice and not by circumstance. In fact many occupational therapy assistants chose to study for that very position and never had any intention of becoming a fully fledged occupational therapist.

Occupational therapy assistants are considered entry level positions for occupational therapists, and it is not unusual for all occupational therapists to have been an assistant at one point in their careers or another. With most Universities you are required to complete an internship as a part of your studies, and the most common position held for this learning period is an occupational therapy assistant, learning your practical skills from a licensed occupational therapist. It is also not uncommon for students to feel so comfortable and at ease in this position that they opt to stay there, as mentioned previously.

Basic occupational therapy assistant’s duties include preparing patients for their consultations, handling the signing in and registration of new clients before their first consultation, doing basic exercises or activities with patients that don’t require the supervision of the occupational therapist, carrying out administrative duties for the office or rooms such as keeping patient’s details up to date and in order. Occupational therapy assistants will also be available to handle the overflow of patients for the occupational therapist, if there is ever the need due to an emergency situation.

Other more interesting duties that occupational therapy assistants will pursue are possibly to be given some of the less complicated disabilities to work with and will be required to carry out exercises, activities, stretches, small movements with these patients. They will also be required to give a full report back to the occupational therapist in charge. They would have the opportunity to help patients to improve their fine motor coordination as well as gross motor skills through exercises and stretches. The occupational therapy assistant would also have the chance to help patients learn valuable life skills to improve their lifestyle, living states and overall health and wellbeing.

By being an occupational therapy assistant, you are by no means signing up for the easy road. Your job will still be as challenging and motivating as that of an occupational therapist.

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

5 Best Travelling Occupational Therapy Jobs

By Susan - Thursday 2 Apr 2:00 am

Occupational therapy jobs are in great abundance, and the demand for this more alternative practice is increasing with every year. It is predicted that by the year 2012, there will be a vast percentage more occupational therapy jobs available due to more and more people recognising its significance.

Included in this vast array of job opportunities are travel occupational therapy jobs, that involve being fully mobile, being able to travel and being able to work doing the job you love all rolled into one neat little package!

There are many staff shortages in healthcare facilities which is why there are so many occupational therapy jobs available today. Travel occupational therapy jobs allow you to be made available to all medial facilities wherever there is a gap that needs to be filled. Your specific employee profile will be set up displaying that option so that medical care centres throughout America are aware of the fact that they can use you, even if you are a resident across the nation.

Here is a list of some of the travelling occupational therapy jobs that are available today:

  1. Cariant Health Partners: Primarily a recruitment agency, Cariant Health Partners aims to find superior occupational therapy jobs in locations from one end of American to the next. Benefits such as competitive salaries, bonuses, beautiful private housing, medical benefits, travel reimbursement and completion bonuses can be enjoyed when signing up to be a travelling occupational therapist with this company.
  2. Club Staffing: In addition to supplying you with superior occupational therapy jobs, Club Staffing offers their employees dental, medical and vision benefits, free private housing, per dium as well as full reimbursement of travel expenses.
  3. Reflectx: Is a unique travel medical staffing centre that offers numerous occupational therapy jobs available. They also offer their travel staff the benefits of free private housing, house ware, cable TV and telephone allowances, medical insurance, travel reimbursement, life insurance, completion bonuses, performance bonuses as well as many more perks to ass to the mix.
  4. Advanced Medical Personnel Services: This team offers flexible work contracts to suit each individual and their needs, housing in safe neighbourhood with all the essential amenities available, alternatively you could opt for a housing allowance and find your own place. Travel reimbursements, medical insurance and competitive hourly rates are all a part of the total attractive package offered on occupational therapy jobs.
  5. Med Travellers Inc: Another medical staffing solution offering professional opportunities for occupational therapy jobs is Med Travellers. They have the same arrangement of benefits available as the others mentioned such as excellent pay rates, medical insurance, free private housing as well as available work in excellent health and medical care facilities.

In addition to receiving excellent occupational therapy job opportunities, travelling jobs entitle you to amazing benefits that should only be dreamed of!

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

5 Best Facilities to Work as an Occupational Therapist

By Susan - Monday 23 Mar 9:15 am

Upon deciding to become an occupational therapist, and upon qualification, you are faced with the biggest challenge of your career, and that is first of all deciding where to work and then receiving employment upon making your decision.

Occupational therapists are widely well received and there is a definite demand for those that are efficient and suitably qualified, so finding a job should not be a problem. The big question you need to ask yourself is: Where to apply? If you are not going to set up a private practice, which is probably recommended for University leavers, then you have a wide range of occupational therapy and medical institutions to choose from. From nursing homes to hospitals, to corporate companies that have in house occupational therapists. The choices are numerous and equally as rewarding. Close investigation should be paid to each and every job opportunity and all the benefits that come with each position.

You could choose to join somebody else’s private practice as an occupational therapist, and at the same time learn about the successful running of your own business and all the involvement that goes hand in hand with it.

Nursing homes and hospitals can offer competitive salaries for occupational therapists as well as the added incentive of being able to improve the lives of those that are residents in these homes and health care facilities.

On a corporate scale, there are many businesses that have in house occupational therapists to assist in maintaining high levels of productivity amongst employees and to enable for any care that is required on an occupational therapy level to be easily accessible. Working as an occupational therapist for corporate giants will also entitle you to impressive employment packages and commendable salaries and bonuses. Some of the companies that you might have heard of that offer exceptional employment for occupational therapists are:

  • Google
  • Citibank
  • Microsoft
  • Dell
  • Deloitte
  • Sears

When it comes to occupational therapist employment positions, there are a few institutions that stand out from the rest. They offer exceptional service to clients and are nationally recognized as leaders in the field of occupational therapy. Not only do they treat their clients with distinction, but their employees are also given the best possible salaries, benefits and are treated with the respect that they have earned. As occupational therapists, it is essential for your employer to recognize the importance of your job and this is most appreciated when it is well received.

The following companies are among those that fit this standard according to occupational therapists:

  • Tri-State Hand and Occupational Therapy, Inc. located in Cumberland, MD
  • The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, a non-profit hospital and research centre in Ohio
  • Communicative Health Care Associates Inc, to be found in Boston, Massachusetts
  • Wee Care Therapy, Ltd, Dyer, Indiana

Burger Rehabilitation Systems Inc, that have many clinics situated in the greater Sacramento area, Northern California

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

The 10 Best Occupational Therapy Schools

By Susan - Monday 4 Aug 11:00 am

Occupational Therapy is to quote: “use of productive or creative activity in the treatment or rehabilitation of physically, cognitively, or emotionally disabled people” (American Heritage Dictionary)

Occupational Therapy Schools in America are quite vast and abundant, due the ever increasing need for Occupational Therapists. The practice is being recognized for its massively beneficial qualities and more and more people are opting to study this trade through occupational therapy schools across America. Most universities offer training and tuition in this field. Here are ten of the best occupational therapy schools that should be considered when making a decision to study OT. They are listed in no particular order:

  1. Colorado State University: This is one of the best occupational therapy schools in operation today, and has received critical acclaim both nationally and internationally for its profound achievements.
  2. Boston University (Sargent): This occupational therapy school challenges its students to think laterally, and combines practical hands on training with expert literature and theory programs. Voted tie first with Washington University by US News and World Reports.
  3. University of Southern California: This internationally acclaimed school has been voted number one for 8 out of 9 years as the best of occupational therapy schools in America, according to US News and World Reports. It established the first ever graduate program in occupational therapy worldwide.
  4. Boston School of Occupational Therapy (Tuffts University): This school is an historic monument in Boston and offers doctoral and masters degree’s in occupational therapy. They teach their students to narrow their focus towards clinical reasoning with all patients, so as to be independent in decision making and treatment methods.
  5. University of Illinois, Chicago: This internationally recognised occupational therapy school prides itself on developing top class students who will have an impact on the world through their treatments. It is consistently voted one of the best occupational therapy schools in America and maintains high levels of superior tuition.
  6. New York University: Always ranked as one of the top occupational therapy schools, NYU has been offering comprehensive and informative training for occupational therapy since 1940.
  7. University of Pittsburgh: This occupational therapy school ensures that all students are prepared for practice as soon as they graduate and enter into the “real world”, by offering them the skills for work and practice but also for life.
  8. Washington University in St Louis: According to US News and World Report 2008 rankings, this University has been voted tie first place as one of the best occupational therapy schools in America. It is tie with Boston University.
  9. University of Kansas, Medical Centre: This University is definitely recognized as a leader within the field of occupational therapy schools, and also offer doctorates and masters degrees in the field.
  10. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: The primary focus for this occupational therapy school is to enable all people, of all walks of life to enjoy a full and balanced life with the addition of occupational therapy. This is instilled in their students, and carried forward into practice after qualifying.

Posted in: Job Search, Therapy Jobs

9 Best Occupational Therapy Job Companies to Work For

By Brad - Thursday 24 Jul 12:41 pm

Choosing a career is one thing. Once qualified, the next hurdle you are faced with is deciding which company you want to work for and where to apply to. Occupational therapy jobs are readily available in all sectors of the health and medical industry, from hospitals in the public sector, to privately owned therapy centres, and well into the business sector too. If you have had experience working previous Occupational therapy jobs, then employers might even come looking for you!

Here is a guide to some of the medical centres and hospitals that offer the top occupational therapy jobs in America. They have become renowned through the years as the most sought after companies to work for with regards to occupational therapy jobs. Listed in no particular order:

  • Tri-State Hand and Occupational Therapy, Inc. located in Cumberland, MD
  • Communicative Health Care Associates Inc, to be found in Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, a non-profit hospital and research centre in Ohio
  • Burger Rehabilitation Systems Inc, that have many clinics situated in the greater Sacramento area, Northern California
  • Wee Care Therapy, Ltd, Dyer, Indiana
  • The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado

Not only medical institutions and clinics offer exemplary employment opportunities. There are many corporate groups that have in house wellness programs and thus have available occupational therapy jobs. These businesses forward commendable and competitive employment packages to their staff and are a worthwhile direction to look in.

Some of the more well known names in this field are:

  • Google – The World’s Largest Search Engine Company
  • Microsoft – Home of the world’s most widely used computer software
  • Sears – Infamous Chain of Retail Stores
  • Siemens – Innovators in electronics
  • Intel – Advanced Computing components manufacturers
  • Dell – High end Computer Manufacturers
  • Deloitte – World famous Accountancy Firms
  • Citigroup – International Banks
  • Bank of America

Occupational therapy jobs are becoming a more recognised addition in many companies due to the fast growing wellness factor in the corporate world. The raised productivity levels that go hand in hand with wellness programs are creating a larger awareness towards the health of employees. This in turn is creating vast job opportunities for occupational therapists in the corporate world.

Posted in: Therapy Jobs

Occupational Therapy Jobs in the Public Sector vs Private Sector

By Brad - Thursday 10 Jul 11:49 am

 

Occupational therapy jobs have an added advantage over many other employment choices, in that there are equal opportunities available within both the public sector and the private sector. You can find occupational therapy jobs in any hospital, wellness centre, clinic or medical institution, but also within corporate companies, private businesses, home based businesses and within government.

 

Everything outside of the government is considered private sector, therefore all the hospitals and clinics that fall under government care and funding are regarded as public sector.

 

The choice to make here is private or public sector? What is the difference between occupational therapy jobs in the private sector as opposed to the public sector?

 

There are a few details worth mentioning that could make your decision making slightly easier.

 

  • Applying for occupational therapy jobs in the private sector is a case of you researching available jobs and selecting the ones you would like to apply to. You would then send off your resume to the prospective employers and hope for an interview to take it further
  • Applying for occupational therapy jobs in the public sector involves completion of an application form, submission of all relevant details, for example: Your ID, driver’s license, recommendations from previous employers, copies of all certifications etc. After submission, an extensive background check is completed and then you wait to hear if your application has been approved
  • Within the private sector, you would go for an interview with your intended future employer
  • In the public sector, you would sit before a panel of people within the Health Department for your interview
  • Once you have been accepted in the private sector, you would start working for the company in question
  • Within the public sector, you would only then be given your listing of available jobs and make your choice from there

 

With regards to actual working environments within both sectors, occupational therapy jobs within the privately owned companies generally pay their employees a little more than public sector institutions do. Plus there is more room to grow and progress within private sector businesses, whereas the setup with public sector health employment is slightly more rigid with less leeway.

 

On the plus side for public sector, you have the added and maybe most important benefit of job security. In privately owned businesses, if profit margins are becoming too narrow, there is a chance that you could lose your job in order for the company you work for to cut costs.

Posted in: Therapy Jobs

Educational Requirements and types of Occupational Therapy Jobs

By Brad - Monday 7 Jul 2:28 pm

 

To be able to study Occupational Therapy, there are certain requirements that each prospective student should be able to meet.

 

The University or College you are enrolling in will determine the exact specifications you need to follow. It is highly recommended that you have a strong scientific and biological background, and some Universities will specify Mathematics to be compulsory. You will need to have done some, or in a number of cases, all of the following courses:

 

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Physical Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Statistics
  • Psychology
  • Biology

 

These subjects will all give a solid grounding when entering the vast and competitive workplace of Occupational Therapy Jobs.

 

There are also a small range of health requirements that need to be adhered to with most Universities. Obviously a person working within the industry of health and medicine must come across as a role model for their clients. This is the reasoning behind the following possible health requirements.

 

  • Vaccinations – most faculties recommend having an up to date vaccination record before initiating studies
  • Certain Blood Tests
  • Skin Tests

 

There are many different forms of Occupational Therapy Jobs. Once qualified, you can specialise in a chosen domain that suits your personal inclination and interests. Some of the choices you have are:

 

  • Rehabilitative Occupational Therapy Jobs. Treating patients after accidents or injury, which is one of the more widespread choices
  • Another vast percentage specialise in Occupational Therapy jobs working with children. This form of OT includes Play Occupational Therapy, which incorporates playtime into teaching a child to sit properly or to teach them to use lazy muscles again
  • Specialising in disabilities, for example: autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy etc. By encouraging an improvement in fine and gross motor co-ordination and muscular stimulation
  • Occupational Therapy Jobs for clients following surgical procedures, for example: After hip or any joint replacement surgery
  • Hand Occupational Therapists, specialising in hands alone
  • Another popular direction for Occupational Therapists to follow is into the workplace where they encourage wellness, the correct postural positions to sit in and healthy habits amongst colleagues. This serves well in schools too.
  • Working with the older generation, stimulating movement amongst the more sedentary groups of people is also a popular avenue for Occupational Therapists.

 

Occupational Therapy Jobs are varied and can be moulded to fit in with many different work areas.

Posted in: Therapy Jobs

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