STAFFING SERVICES

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

What does an Occupational Therapist do?
Occupational therapy is a skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapists assist people in developing the “skills for the job of living” necessary for independent and satisfying lives. In simpler terms, the Occupational Therapist works with individuals at any age and with any disability or inability to perform their expected activities of daily living. Those expectations vary, based on the individuals age and the context in which they live. For a small child the expectation is to reach developmental milestones. For a middle aged person the expectation is to participate in work and social settings. For individuals not able to perform at their expected levels (due to an endless variety of causes such as developmental disabilities, neurological or orthopedic conditions) the Occupational Therapist performs an evaluation to identify what is interfering with the individual’s ability to participate in their daily living tasks and activities. After identifying the underlying problems, the Occupational Therapist  devises a treatment plan which (1) works to remediate (or correct) the problem, (2) modifies the person’s environment and/or (3) adapts expected activities so that they can be performed more easily.
 
What kind of education does the Occupational Therapist have?
There are two levels of occupational therapy practitioners - the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of anatomy, physiology, pathology and human growth and development, with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and psychological effects of illness and injury.

The occupational therapist enters the field with a master’s or doctoral degree. The occupational therapy assistant earns an associate degree from a two year program and practices under the supervision of the occupational therapist.

Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings and pass a national examination in order to practice. Most states  regulate occupational therapy practice.
 
Who does the Occupational Therpist work with?
The Occupational Therapist works with all age groups and disabilities from infants in a neonatal unit, preschoolers in an early intervention program, school age children, adolescents, patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and people with mental illness.

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

What does a Physical Therapist do?
Physical therapists provide services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and work to enhance function for patients suffering from chronic and acute injuries or diseases. They restore and maintain overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling diseases, orthopedic and neurological issues, low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries and cerebral palsy.

Physical Therapists initially examine patients’ medical histories, and test and measure the patients’ strength, motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration and motor function. After this assessment the Physical Therapist develops and implements a treatment strategy with the goal for the patient to achieve their best possible functional outcome.

What kind of education does a Physical Therapist  have?
There are two levels of physical therapy practitioners - the physical therapist and the physical therapy assistant.

A Physical Therapist is required to graduate from a doctoral program in physical therapy.

A Physical Therapist Assistant  is a graduate of an associate two- year program and works under the supervision of the Physical Therapist.

Where does the Physical Therapist work?
Physical therapists practice in a variety of medical and community settings including hospitals, clinics, private offices, homes, long term care facilities and schools.

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SPEECH THERAPIST / SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

What does a Speech Pathologist (or Therapist) do?
Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency.

Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot produce speech sounds or cannot produce them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice disorders, inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; those with problems understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; and those with cognitive communication impairments such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders. They also work with people who have swallowing difficulties.

Speech, language, and swallowing difficulties can result from a variety of causes including stroke, and physical deterioration, developmental delays or disorders, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, voice pathology, mental retardation, hearing loss, or emotional problems. Problems can be congenital, developmental or acquired.

Speech-language pathologists use special instruments and qualitative and quantitative assessments methods including standardized tests, to analyze and diagnose the nature and extent of impairments.

What kind of education does the Speech Pathologist have?
In some states, the Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association meets some or all of the requirements for licensure. To earn a CCC, a person must have a graduate degree from an accredited university, 400 hours of supervised experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship, and pass the Praxis Series exam in speech-language pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service. Contact your states revising board for details on your State’s requirements.

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SPECIAL EDUCATOR
 
What does a Special Educator, (or Special Instructor) do?
Special educators are highly trained professionals who provide designed instruction and services to children with disabilities. They adapt and develop materials for the special needs of each student and use a variety of teaching strategies to ensure that students with disabilities reach their learning potential.

Where do Special Educators work?
Special educators work in many different environments. A small percentage work in private practice, residential facilities, hospitals, clinics, or in students’ homes. The majority, however, work in public and private schools.  Within these schools special educators work in a variety of settings including the following.

• Self-contained classrooms. 20% of students with disabilities spend the majority of their day in a classroom specifically set aside for children with disabilities.
• Resource rooms. Most special education teachers work in resource rooms, where they provide specialized instruction to students with disabilities who come in for part of the school day to participate individually or in small groups.
• General education classrooms. An increasing number of schools are fostering inclusion whereby students with disabilities receive most, if not all of their instruction in a general education day setting. In these settings, special educators work closely with general education teachers to meet the specific needs of the students.

Who do Special Educators work with?
Infants, young children and youth with disabilities and their families may need the services of a special educator. Many children present with the following difficulties, and special educators can design instruction, adapt learning materials, provide speech therapy, and adapt physical education for:

• Cognitive impairments, such as mental retardation
• Learning disabilities that require specific teaching strategies
• Physical disabilities that limit their mobility
• Sensory impairments, such as hearing loss and vision impairments
• Emotional or social disabilities
• Traumatic brain injury
• Autism
• Speech or language impairments
• Chronic health problems
  
• Multiple disabilities
• TSHH/TSLD

What kind of education does a special educator need?
In New York State, a licensed Special Education teacher must graduate from a Master’s level program in Special Education.  The Special Education teacher must pass a number of examinations in order to apply for NYS certification.  For more information visit The New York State Education Department.

What is a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT)?
Special Education Itinerant Teachers (SEIT) provide special instruction to preschoolers ages three to five, who present with developmental delay(s) in the areas of cognitive, social-emotional, motor skills  and language skills.  Special Education Itinerant Teachers provide specialized individual or group instruction directly to the student.They may provide consultation to the child’s teacher to adjust the learning environment and/or modify instructional methods to meet in individual needs of a preschool student with a disability who attends an early childhood program (e.g., a regular preschool program, a day care, or a Head Start program).  A major difference between a Special Education Itinerant Teacher and the typical Special Educator is that the Special Education Itinerant Teacher does not teach a traditional classroom of students, rather works individually with children mandated to receive that service.

In New York State, in order to become a Special Education Itinerant Teacher, a teacher must possess a New York State certification in Special Education Birth through Grade 2.  Permanent, Professional, Initial and Internship certificates are all accepted.  The level of certificate you are entitled to is based on your level of education and experience.  For more information on certification visit the New York State Education Department.

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TSSLD

What does a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) do?
A Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) usually works in school settings providing indirect services and instruction to children with communication disorders such as impaired articulation, language impairment or voice disorders.  TSSLD (Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities) is the current designation used in New York State, but it was previously termed TSHH (Definition of Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped).

In New York State the Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities can assist in the assessment and screening of children with, or at risk of, speech and language disorders, assist in the formulation of IFSP/IEP (Individualized Family Service Plan/Individualized Education Program) goals, implement the IFSP/IEP in the child’s natural environment, and review and redefine goals with other team members.

Academic and experience requirements for the TSSLD (Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities) includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a MS/MA in Special Education with the Speech and Hearing Impaired and a New York State  Initial or Professional Teaching Certificate–Students with Disabilities, and a minimum of two years experience serving infants and toddlers with or at risk of developmental delay or disability.  The Masters degree is not required initially, but must be completed within a defined period of time.  

Licensed Speech Pathologists working with preschool children are also required to have a TSSLD (Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities)  certification.

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SOCIAL WORKER

What does a Social Worker do?
Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. Social workers assist people by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with relationships, and solve personal and family problems. Some social workers help clients who face a disability or a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse. Some social workers conduct research, advocate for improved services, engage in systems design or are involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting.

Who do they work with?
Child, family, and school social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the well-being of families and the academic functioning of children. They may assist single parents, arrange adoptions, or help find foster homes for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. Some specialize in services for senior citizens.

Child, family, and school social workers may also be known as child welfare social workers, family services social workers, child protective services social workers, occupational social workers or gerontology social workers. They often work for individual and family services agencies, schools, or state or local governments.

Medical and public health social workers provide psychosocial support to people, families, or vulnerable populations so they can cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). They also advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patient needs after discharge from hospitals. They may arrange for at-home services, such as meals-on-wheels or home care. Medical and public health social workers may work for hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and family services agencies, or local governments.

Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Such services include individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and teaching skills for everyday living.

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