Fall 2005 Feasibility Study: Allied Health Programs Respiratory Therapy Physical Therapy Assistant Occupational Therapy Assistant

Transcription

1 Fall 2005 Feasibility Study: Allied Health Programs Respiratory Therapy Physical Therapy Assistant Occupational Therapy Assistant Prepared by: Sunnary T. Adeva FA05: Allied Health Programs Institutional Research Chaffey College

2 A. Respiratory Therapy: Background Information Respiratory therapy is used in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and care of patient s cardiopulmonary problems. The increasing numbers of persons suffering from respiratory diseases need complex treatment and rehabilitation, creating a need for specialists to assist doctors and nurses. Their duties range from giving temporary relief to persons with asthma, pulmonary edema, or emphysema to giving emergency care for asphyxiation, heart failure, stroke, drowning, or shock. Respiratory therapist monitor equipment, observes patient reactions, assesses conditions, assures comfort, and recommends changes in therapy to physicians. Employment Outlook As of early 1998, there were about 13,000 registered Respiratory Therapists in California. They enjoy one of the most favorable job outlooks in California. For the 1998 to 2008 annual period, the expected growth for Respiratory Therapist will increase by 58%. 1 The estimated total numbers of workers by 2008 will be 12,820 and this number will continue to grow. 2 Fueling the growth of the healthcare industry is the aging of the population, an increase in lung damage because of air-borne pollutants, and the development of new drugs and delivery systems to help treat lung disease. In table 1.1 below shows the median hourly wages for Respiratory Therapists in three counties taken from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey. Table 1.2 also indicates the current number of employed Respiratory Therapist (1,100) in San Bernardino County. Table 1.1: Occupation: Respiratory Therapist Entry Level No Experience Experienced New to Firm Experienced 3 Years with Firm Low Median High Low Median High Low Median High County Year Los Angeles 2002 $13.20 $16.50 $20.00 $15.00 $18.14 $23.33 $16.50 $21.82 $26.00 San Diego 2003 $16.00 $16.83 $21.00 $16.00 $19.00 $26.00 $20.00 $24.79 $30.00 Ventura 2003 $16.12 $16.74 $18.00 $14.18 $18.99 $22.00 $19.05 $20.15 $25.00 Table 1.2: Current Employment for San Bernardino County in 2005 SOC Code Current Occupational Title Hourly Average Number Employment Respiratory Therapist Annual Average Annual Job Openings 1,100 $23.93 $53, California Occupational Guides and Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists Number Bureau of Labor Statistics for Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. 2

3 Education and Training Persons engaged in respiratory or inhalation therapy must be certified. There are two exams a prospective therapist may take; the Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT) exam and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam. Both exams require the completion of an American Medical Association (AMA) approved one or two-year program. Table 1.3 illustrates the number of training providers which offers Respiratory Therapy Programs. In Southern California there are 16 educational institutions that offer Respiratory Therapy Programs, of those only 3 of them are private institutions (18 percent). 3 Table 1.3: Respiratory Therapist Training Providers in Southern California (offering Associates/Certificate Degrees) Institution Program Degree Public or Private Accreditation California College San Diego Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes Concorde Career Institute Respiratory Therapist Tech Program AA/AS Private Yes Crafton Hills College Respiratory Therapy Program AS Public Yes East Los Angeles College Respiratory Therapist Program AA Public Yes El Camino College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes Foothill College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes Grossmont College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes Hacienda La Puente Adult Respiratory Therapist Tech Certificate Public No Education Program Loma Linda University Respiratory Therapist Program AS Private Yes Los Angeles Valley College Respiratory Therapist Program AA/AS Public Yes Mt. San Antonio College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes Orange Coast College Respiratory Therapist Program AA Public Yes Santa Monica College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes San Joaquin Valley College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Private Probation Respiratory Therapist Tech Simi Valley Adult School Certificate Public Yes Program Victor Valley College Respiratory Therapist Program AS Public Yes 3 California Society for Respiratory Care. 3

4 B. Physical Therapy Assistant: Background Information Treating health problems by applying heat and exercise had its beginning in ancient times. Typical duties include giving heat, light and sound treatments and messages and exercises that help heal muscles, nerves, bones and joints. All of their duties are meant to help therapists restore physical ability in patients of all ages. Employment Outlook The Labor Market Information Division and the Employment Development Department estimates that the number of Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides currently over 15, Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides are in the Top Fifty Fastest Growth Occupations in California. In table 2.1 below shows the median hourly wages for Physical Therapy Assistant in three counties taken from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey. 5 Table 2.2 also indicates the current number of Physical Therapy Assistants (430) employed in San Bernardino County. Table 2.1: Occupation: Physical Therapy Assistants Entry Level No Experience Experienced New to Firm Experienced 3 Years with Firm Low Median High Low Median High Low Median High County Year Los Angeles 2002 $15.00 $17.50 $23.00 $16.00 $19.25 $24.00 $16.00 $22.00 $29.00 Monterey Bay 2002 $9.50 $16.43 $22.92 $10.00 $18.00 $26.00 $15.00 $22.00 $30.00 Sacramento 2002 $14.00 $16.00 $20.00 $14.00 $17.00 $20.96 $16.00 $20.00 $25.00 Table 2.2: Current Employment for San Bernardino County in 2005 SOC Code Current Occupational Title Hourly Average Number Employment Physical Therapist Assistants Annual Average Annual Job Openings 430 $22.15 $44, Occupational Guides and Job Outlook for Physical Therapy Assistants. 5 Bureau of Labor Statistics for Occupational Employment Wage Estimates. 4

5 Education and Training Physical Therapy Assistants must be licensed by the California Physical Therapy Examining Board. There are two ways to qualify for the license. Graduates with an associate s degree in Physical Therapy Assisting from an accredited school can apply for the examination. In table 2.3 shows the number of accredited training providers in California for Physical Therapist Assistants. 6 Of the six accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Program only one of the programs is a private institution (16 percent). Table 2.3: Accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Programs in California Institution Program Degree Public or Private Accreditation Cerritos College Physical Therapy Program AS Public Yes Loma Linda University Physical Therapy Assistant Program AS Private Yes Ohlone College Physical Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes Sacramento City College Physical Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes San Diego Mesa College Physical Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes Sonoma College Physical Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes 6 Physical Therapy Board of California Accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Program. 5

6 C. Occupational Therapy: Background Information Occupational Therapy Assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities as outlined in a treatment plan. They provide rehabilitative services to restore and maintain function in persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities. The work includes activities such as teaching an ailing elderly person the proper method of moving from bed into a wheelchair or teaching clients with arthritis how to more effectively perform daily living activities. Employment Outlook According to the Labor Market Information Division and the Employment Development Department estimated the projected growth of Occupational Therapy Assistants will be by 65% over the next ten years. The estimated number of Occupational Therapist Assistants in California in 2002 was 1,300. The projected number of Occupational Therapist in the year 2012 is 2, This growth comes, in part, from an aging population, especially the large baby-boom generation ( ). Growth is also expected due to advances in medical science, which allows more people to survive critical illnesses and injuries who will then need rehabilitative therapy. In table 3.1 below shows the median hourly wages for Occupational Therapy Assistant in three counties taken from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey. Table 3.2 also indicates the current number of employed of Occupational Therapy Assistants (110) in San Bernardino County. Table 3.1: Occupation: Occupational Therapy Assistants Entry Level No Experience Experienced New to Firm Experienced 3 Years with Firm Low Median High Low Median High Low Median High County Year Los Angeles 2002 $8.25 $15.34 $16.74 $9.00 $15.67 $21.49 $10.00 $20.30 $25.10 Table 3.2: Current Employment for San Bernardino County in 2005 SOC Code Current Occupational Title Hourly Average Number Employment Occupational Therapy Assistant Annual Average Annual Job Openings 110 $24.15 $50, California Occupational Guide and Job Outlook for Occupational Therapist Assistant. 6

7 Education and Training Individuals who want to become Occupational Therapy Assistants must complete a two-year associate s degree or certificate program from an accredited community college, technical, or vocational school. Students must also complete supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting before passing the national certification examination to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In table 3.2 below shows the number of accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant programs in California. 8 Of the four accredited programs there is only one private institution (25 percent) offering training in Occupational Therapy Assistants. Table 3.2: Accredited Institutions in California Institution Program Degree Public or Private Accreditation Loma Linda University Occupational Therapy Assistant Program AS Private Yes Sacramento City College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes Grossmont College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes Santa Ana College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program AS Public Yes 8 California Foundation for Occupational Therapy Accredited California Schools. 7