TOP 10 PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALTIES FOR HIGH-PAYING AND REWARDING CAREERS

By Rhyan Caruso

1.) Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)

  • Who do they treat? Patients with heart and lung conditions
  • Diagnoses include: Heart disease, COPD, cystic fibrosis.
  • Where do they work? Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and home health

2.) Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

  • Who do they treat? Patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
  • Diagnoses include: Fractures, joint replacements, arthritis.
  • Where do they work? Outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, home health.

3.) Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)

  • Who do they treat? Focus on treating older adults, typically those aged 65 and older.
  • Diagnoses include: Osteoarthritis, falls and fractures, balance disorders.
  • Where do they work? Outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing home and assisted living facilities, home health.

4.) Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)

  • Who do they treat? Infants, children, and adolescents. Patients range from newborns to teenagers, and they address developmental, neurological, and musculoskeletal conditions.
  • Diagnoses include: Muscular dystrophy, developmental delays, spina bifida.
  • Where do they work? Hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, early intervention programs, rehabilitation centers, home health.

5.) Neurology Clinical Specialist (NCS)

  • Who do they treat? Patients with neurological conditions.
  • Diagnoses include: Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease.
  • Where do they work? Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and research institutions.

6.) Sports Clinical Specialists (SCS)

  • Who do they treat? Athletes and active individuals of all ages.
  • Diagnoses include: Sprains, ACL tears, shin splints.
  • Where do they work? Sports medicine centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools and universities, athletic facilities.

7.) Wound Management Specialist (WMS)

  • Who do they treat? Patients with various types of wounds and skin conditions.
  • Diagnoses include: Diabetic foot ulcers, burns, surgical wounds.
  • Where do they work? Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health.

8.) Women’s Health Specialist (WHS)

  • Who do they treat? Women with pelvic health issues.
  • Diagnoses include: Pelvic floor dysfunction, pregnancy and postpartum issues, endometriosis.
  • Where do they work? Outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health, specialized pelvic health centers.

9.) Oncologic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

  • Who do they treat? Patients who have cancer or other chronic illnesses.
  • Diagnoses include: Cancer, chemotherapy side effects, palliative care.
  • Where do they work? Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health.

10.) Electrophysiological Clinical Specialist (ECS)

  • Who do they treat? Patients who have conditions affecting the nervous and muscular systems.
  • Diagnoses include: Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, ALS.
  • Where do they work? Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health.