Have you ever considered what jobs you are qualified for with a degree in rehabilitation science? Maybe your focus is on helping people get back to work after an injury or disability, which would make “rehabilitation” one of your main interests. Rehabilitative professionals help people cope and adapt to alterations in their daily lives that are due to injury or illness. If you want to get involved in the rehabilitation field, your options can include being a consultant, researcher, therapist or care provider. Many rehabilitation professionals combine their interests with other fields such as psychology, engineering, exercise science, medicine and public health to treat patients who have experienced injuries or illnesses. In order to be successful in this industry, it is important that you determine where you can make the biggest impact with your skills and background. This can help you decide what job opportunities might interest you the most.
If you’re looking to start a career in the field of rehabilitation science, there are many exciting opportunities in front of you!
A degree in rehabilitation science can lead to a variety of careers that focus on helping people recover from injuries or illness. You might work as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, or even in research and development for pharmaceutical companies.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for all occupations in this field was $67,240 in 2016—but don’t let that figure scare you off! Rehabilitation science is a highly rewarding field that can be used to help others improve their quality of life.
What jobs can you get with a rehabilitation science degree
Introduction
While many degree programs lead to a specific career, the rehabilitation science degree gives you multiple paths you can take. If you’re an ambitious and intellectual individual who enjoys helping others, keep reading for six different jobs that would be a great fit for you.
- Rehabilitation Scientist
Rehabilitation scientists are professionals who work with disabled individuals of all ages to help them live a more independent life through different rehabilitation or treatment methods. These methods include behavioral therapy, assistive technology, physical training exercises and nutritional health guidelines. These scientists can specialize in working with specific age groups who have disabilities such as pediatrics, geriatrics and even pre-natal care for infants born with birth defects. They also specialize in working with different types of disabilities such as those affecting the brain or spinal cord, orthopedic disorders or conditions related to speech and hearing problems. Rehabilitation scientists also conduct research on new treatment options that may be beneficial to certain patients based on their disability or condition they have been diagnosed with which allows them to create customized treatment plans that are proven effective through evidence-based research results.
- Research Assistant
A research assistant is a person who works under the supervision of senior researchers in various disciplines including those within the health sciences field that require extensive scientific research and analysis on diseases, treatments and other medical conditions in order to develop new therapeutic methods and interventions for patients with various illnesses or injuries that need rehabilitating either physically or emotionally before they can resume their normal lives again without any restrictions due to their disability.
- Rehabilitation Counselor
A rehabilitation counselor assists individuals suffering from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety by providing counseling services in private practice settings where these patients can get professional help without fear of being judged by others outside the immediate family unit where these issues tend to affect most adversely when not addressed properly during one’s
Rehabilitation Scientist
A rehabilitation scientist is a person who applies the principles, theories and research findings of rehabilitation science to clinical practice. A rehabilitation scientist works in a variety of settings including hospitals and other healthcare facilities, private practice offices, universities and research institutions. Their job duties include conducting research, testing and evaluating new therapies that can help improve patient outcomes in areas such as pain management, mobility issues or cognitive impairment. While there are no specific requirements for becoming a rehabilitation scientist (such as having earned an advanced degree like a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Science), most employers look for candidates with at least some experience working directly with patients or clients on their rehabilitation needs before hiring them
Research Assistant
A research assistant is responsible for conducting research in their field of study. They are expected to have knowledge of research methodology and are required to understand the principles behind their chosen field of study.
Research assistants must be familiar with all aspects of the field they choose, including its history and evolution, as well as current trends and issues facing that field. A thorough understanding of these topics will make it easier for them to formulate questions that can be addressed through academic inquiry.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors work with people who have disabilities in order to help them live independently and get jobs.
A rehabilitation counselor’s duties may include helping patients cope with their disability, such as depression or anxiety. They may also assist them in finding employment opportunities or volunteer opportunities that are suitable for their skill sets and abilities. Rehabilitation counselors also work closely with medical professionals to ensure that the patient is making progress towards achieving his or her goals of living independently and/or getting a job.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries, illnesses and disabilities. They work with patients to achieve goals of improved mobility, strength and function. Physical therapists collaborate with other members of the health care team to develop a treatment plan for each patient based on his or her needs, as well as provide education about how to stay healthy.
Physical therapists are trained to work with people of all ages who have orthopedic problems, neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida (a birth defect), cardiovascular issues like heart disease or peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in the lower limbs), rheumatologic conditions such as osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis; respiratory concerns such as emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis; neurologic conditions including stroke rehabilitation; geriatric rehabilitation following hip replacement surgery; spinal cord injury recovery; pediatric conditions ranging from prenatal developmental delays associated with fetal alcohol syndrome through childhood cancer survivors needing long-term rehabilitation after treatment.
Occupational Therapist
- Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have physical, mental, developmental and emotional disabilities. They also help people recovering from injuries or illnesses to achieve their fullest potential.
- Occupational therapists assist others in performing everyday activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. They may also help individuals find and keep a job by assessing their skills and interests so they can be matched with appropriate jobs that match their abilities.
- In addition to helping people with disabilities live independently, occupational therapists may assist them by developing methods for caring for themselves at home or in other settings outside the therapist’s office.
Recreational Therapist
As a recreational therapist, you’ll work with people who have physical, mental and cognitive disabilities. You’ll provide recreational services that improve the quality of life for clients in both hospitals and community settings. This may involve helping individuals with mental health issues (such as depression or schizophrenia) by providing them with activities designed to help them relax and have fun. You might also help people who’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury become more independent through physical or occupational therapy.
A degree in rehabilitation science is an excellent preparation for this career—it will give you the skills needed to perform assessments of clients’ abilities, plan out therapy programs, manage patients’ care plans as well as coordinate your department’s activities with other departments such as nursing homes or home health aides’ organizations who may be providing additional medical services outside of normal working hours
Many fields are offered for rehabilitation science degrees
Rehabilitation science is a growing field, and it’s a good choice for those who love science and want to help people.
Rehabilitation science can be described as the use of knowledge and methods from the sciences to promote rehabilitation or improvement in function for individuals with impairment or disability. It is about helping people recover from accidents, illnesses, injuries and diseases. The goal of rehabilitation programs is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence possible through physical therapy or other interventions such as assistive technology or adaptive equipment/devices.
Conclusion
When you become a rehabilitation scientist, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work with people who need your help. You can take on roles that focus on research and development, or you can make a more direct impact by working directly with patients. With so many career options available for those who pursue a rehabilitation science degree (or even a master’s degree), there is no better time than now to learn more about these rewarding fields!
