Direct Patient & Therapeutic Care

Medical Therapist (Speech, Physical, Occupational)

Career Progression

Entry Level

Rehabilitation Technician (Rehab Tech)

Mid Level

Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Speech Therapy Assistant

Senior Level

Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist

Pathway Category

Senior Level: These positions are typically high-level management or specialized positions and require significant education, such as a master’s degree or advanced doctorate degree, in addition to applicable licenses, leadership training, and extensive experience in the industry. Learning a specific organization’s history, culture, and values is also often important to lead at this level.

What does a person in this career do?

You enjoy working with people! Your critical thinking and problem solving skills help to diagnose, troubleshoot, and treat a wide range of injuries, disorders, and diseases for your patients. You don’t mind being on the front line of the fight to help keep members of your community healthy, happy, and productive.

Occupations in the Direct Patient & Therapeutic Care family focus primarily on changing the physical health status of patients through direct care, treatment, and health education. They spend most of their time working directly with patients to diagnose, troubleshoot, and treat a wide range of physical illnesses, injuries, disorders, and diseases.  Someone who enjoys working with people, doesn’t mind being around illness, and wants to make a difference in their community will like these roles. Travel is not often required, but there are a growing number of institutions offering in-home and traveling or mobile medical services.

Description of duties

Diagnose, develop, and deliver physical or mental therapy and rehabilitative programs that improve mobility or communication, relieve pain, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from physical or mental disease, injury, or trauma. Assess plans and progress with patients, colleagues, and other health care professionals. May direct or supervise assistants and other support staff. Professional license required.

Quick Facts

Wage/Salary Range

Education & Training

Typical Work Environments

Personality Traits

Discover your strengths by taking the assessment.

Medical Therapist

Partners who hire for this position

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • Rehabilitation Therapy and Counseling
  • Advanced Kinesiology and Biology
  • Active Listening and Communication
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Observing and Documenting Information
  • Medical, Scientific, and Office Software

Other Job Titles

  • Physical Therapist (PT)
  • Occupational Therapist (OT)
  • Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
  • Rehabilitation Therapist
  • Recovery Specialist Speech Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist