Every physical therapy and occupational therapy professional, athletic trainer, applied behavior analyst, and speech-language pathologist graduates college from their educational program with entry-level skills and knowledge to become a licensed or certified clinician. By successfully passing the licensing exam, the therapist shows the public that they are safe and competent to provide care according to an established standard of the required information.
After licensure, the opportunities for additional, in-depth learning are limitless. Not only are Continuing Education Units (CEUs) required for re-licensure but a commitment to lifelong learning allows the therapist to fine-tune their skills and branch into specialty areas of practice.
Examples of specialty pursuits for physical therapists include:
- Pelvic health for women and men
- Vestibular therapy
- Post-concussion care
- Return to sports and sports performance training
- Performing artists – like dancers or musicians
- Geriatrics and fall prevention
- Oncology
- Lymphedema management
- Aquatic therapy
- Wound care
- Spinal mobilization
- And more!
Occupational therapists may pursue specialization and advanced certification in areas such as:
- Hand therapy
- Work-related occupational assessment and treatment
- Vision
- Newborn feeding strategies
- Driving assessment and rehabilitation
- Neurological rehab
- Sensory integration
- Handwriting and other life skills
- And more!
Speech-language pathologists often pursue higher-level certifications in:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Feeding and swallowing
- Voice
- Fluency of speech
- Child language development
Athletic trainers work in clinics and schools. They often serve on professional and competitive athletic teams or as an essential component of wellness teams. Specialty opportunities include:
- Sport-specific training and performance enhancement (golf, pitching, gymnastics)
- Nutrition certification
- Wellness coaching
- Certification as a strengthening and conditioning specialist
Applied Behavior Analysts work with an array of effective treatment methods to help children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities improve their social, motor, verbal, and reasoning skills. They often pursue advanced certification and professional development in:
- Parent communication skills
- Coaching and reinforcement strategies
- Instructional design
- Precision teaching
- Verbal behavior
- Social skill development
At Ivy Rehab, professional development is a part of our everyday culture. We promote ongoing development, certification, and specialization in the following ways:
- Clinical Team Support: many opportunities for mentorship and peer to peer learning
- Limitless CEU Learning: through subscriptions, both live and on-demand
- Professional Education Planning (PEP): creating a road map to specialization annually
- Clinical Career Ladder: reward and recognition of skill development and accomplishment
- Journal Club: monthly discussion groups about new research
- Hosted Courses: Ivy Rehab hosts multiple CEU courses for ACL recovery, concussion care, and more
- External Educational Partners: Gray Institute, Institute of Physical Art, Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, and more
- Residencies and Specialization Educational Programs: Hand Residency Program, Orthopedic Residency Program, Vestibular Specialization Program, Sports Residency Program, Oncology Rehab Residency Program
Why is Ivy Rehab so focused on lifelong learning? By growing talent and expanding skillsets, Ivy Rehab professionals can better serve our communities’ ever-changing healthcare needs. While every state and profession differs in requirements for education, Ivy seeks to meet and exceed those requirements, creating and supporting compassionate therapists who are well-prepared for any challenge.
Professional Development. It’s in our DNA at Ivy Rehab. If you are looking for a specialist at Ivy Rehab, visit www.ivyrehab.com today!
