Job talk with an occupational therapist
Job talk with an occupational therapist
Name/age: Michael Gagliano, 52
Occupation: Occupational therapist
Employer: Founder/CEO, Gagliano Wellness & Rehabilitation Specialist P.A.
Years in field: 29
Salary range: $60,000 to $100,000, based on Gagliano’s observations and experiences setting salary ranges for therapist positions
What does your job entail?
Occupational therapy is a rehabilitative specialty that helps patients regain the abilities we need to function in the many roles we play in our lives — such as employee, parent or athlete — that have been affected by physical or psycho-emotional disturbances. The function of an occupational therapist is to evaluate behavior, promote and maintain health, prevent disability and train or treat people suffering from physical or psycho-emotional illnesses. I have several practice areas such as wellness services that include therapeutic exercise programs for pre- or post-surgical candidates; medically-based soft tissue massage; and educational sessions about medical conditions and mind-body techniques.
How did you become involved in this line of work?
I had always wanted a career in the health care field and started by attending a specialized high school in New York City for math and science. Very early in my life several close family members received rehabilitative services and I was taken with their transitions from dysfunction to living fully active and engaged lives.
What training or education is required?
There are several rehabilitation fields, but I chose occupational therapy due to its holistic approach to individuals and to the treatment process. It requires a master’s degree for entry-level work in the field. There is also an assistant level that requires only a two-year associate degree. Locally, Winston-Salem State University offers a master’s degree.
What does it take to do your job successfully?
You need an interest and desire to learn sciences like anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and psychology. You need to have a passion for this kind of healing work and I think, most importantly, you need to be compassionate.
What’s most challenging about your job?
Our patients range in age from birth to end of life and we treat a full array of problems stemming from diseases of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurological systems. In the beginning of my career what was challenging was the fact that some people do not recover and may die despite everything attempted, and then having to deal with my own feelings of helplessness or haplessness.
What is most rewarding?
For patients who unfortunately do not recover through therapy, often they discover their identity is not determined by their “roles” or their skill sets but by their connection to something greater than themselves. During these times therapists can experience themselves in the same way their clients do, and realize that the therapy they thought they were doing just for their clients also benefited themselves.
Any advice for someone interested?
You can visit the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Web site at www.ncota.org, and the American Occupational Therapy Association at www.aota.org. You can also call the occupational therapy departments of our local health care facilities and private therapy clinics or practitioners to set up times for informational meetings.
Every two weeks, Job Talk highlights a different job in the Triad area with input from those who actually do them. Answers are edited for space, clarity and accuracy. Interested in participating or have a suggestion for a job you’d like us to feature? Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or patrick.collins@news-record.com.
Michael Gagliano 032909
Michael Gagliano of Gagliono Wellness & Rehabilitation P.A. in his Greensboro office. The therapy ball and therapy table are much used tools of the trade.
Nancy Sidelinger Special Sections Photographer
