Careers in Rehabilitation Therapy

Rehabilitation Therapy includes Physical and Occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses on increasing functions in exact areas of the body through physical exercises, tissue manipulation and treatment. On the other hand, Occupational therapy focuses on techniques that prepare patients for returning to work and to function effectively in normal daily routines. Thus Rehabilitation therapy in totality, helps people to recover quickly from physical, mental, cognitive and sensory problems occurred due to accidental injury. The purpose of rehabilitation therapy treatment is to return injured patients to self-sufficiency and productivity.

Course Details
Bachelor of Rehabilitation Therapy (BRT) is a 3-4 years degree course with six months of internship. The minimum educational qualification for BRT program is 10+2 pass with science subjects. The selection is generally made on the basis of entrance examinations conducted by the institute/university concerned. A few institutes also offer Master Degree in Rehabilitation Therapy (MRT). For admission into MRT programme, the candidate should have passed BRT from a recognised institute. Some colleges even offer B.Sc programme in Rehabilitation Therapy. Besides, there are diplomas courses in Rehabilitation Therapy.

Career Prospects
Job opportunities for Rehabilitation Therapists are available in various sectors. They can find jobs in hospitals, private clinics and health centres. They also can work with other polyclinics, rehabilitation centers and psychiatric institutions. Job opportunities for Rehabilitation Therapists are available in special schools, community mental health centers, residential care facilities, adult daycare programs and sports teams. Some Rehabilitation Therapists may choose NGOs working for rehabilitation of children, elderly people and disabled. Rehabilitation Therapists also can work independently to provide home healthcare facility. They also have the option to open their own rehabilitation clinics.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Rehabilitation therapy courses are offered by several well-known institutes in India including National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad; Institute for the Physically Handicapped, New Delhi; All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai; Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu; Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal; All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore; Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai; All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi; Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh.

Remuneration
The earnings of rehabilitation therapists are quite encouraging. They have alternate options to work full time or part time to earn handsome salary. Fresh rehabilitation therapists get starting salary of Rs 8,000-10,000 per month. However, with 1-2 years of experience, remuneration increases. In the private hospitals and clinics, the pay packages are quite higher.