How To Get A Job In Virtual Reality As A PT/OT/PTA/COTA/OTA/SLP

If you are looking for a remote job that you can do as physical, occupational, speech therapist or physical/occupational therapy assistant, that requires no extra education and no physical labor, then look no further than a job in virtual reality! In this article we’ll highlight how to transition from a rehabilitation career into a stay at home position in virtual reality.

What is a virtual reality therapy position?

Very similar to in person therapy, you’ll be performing evaluations and/or treatment sessions – but they’ll be virtual and you’ll use virtual reality as the main treatment modality.

There is growing research and evidence on the abilities of virtual reality to help in a variety of therapy cases – and the use cases seem to be growing every day!

Some therapy examples are:

1. Stroke recovery and using virtual reality to help simulate movement in the involved/impaired extremity
2. Helping with balance in a variety of diagnoses
3. Helping simulate movements such as walking or leg movements with people who have recently had amputation's

and many more treatment ideas and diagnoses!

Why do I love virtual reality as a remote career idea for physical, occupational or speech therapy professionals as well as assistants?

1.  No extra education needed (if so, it’s a simple course that many companies have built themselves and provide to their employees upon hire).
2.  You can work from home
3.  No physical labor
4.  You continue to get to help people in a significant way
5.  You continue to get to use your medical degree
6.  It may be really fun to work in growing technology and there may be new ideas you can contribute or upward/lateral growth you may be able to do

Top pros of working in virtual reality:

• Virtual reality roles are rewarding. You are helping people, just like you would in healthcare.
• They are often remote roles, although you will also find in person roles.
• You need no extra certifications or education (many companies have their own training they provide)
• You get paid similarly to your clinical salary
• Easy transition as much of your treatment sessions will be just like in the therapy session
• No physical labor involved

Top cons of working in virtual reality:

• It may be challenging to care for patients but are limited to just virtual reality
• You’ll have to be very comfortable with technology, working remotely, and solving technology issues
• This may be more commonly found as a part time job (full time does exist so if looking but there is usually a route to become full time

What is the average pay of virtual reality therapists and assistants:

According to Zip Recruiting, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Virtual-Reality-Salary, the average salary could be $62,000. As virtual reality therapist or assistant positions are relatively new, I think this salary could really vary but likely expect similar to a clinicians’ salary.

Who is best fit for a role in virtual reality?

I think this role is great for someone who really loves patient care and wants to continue patient care, but perhaps can’t lift any more or wants to be more at home.

This is also for someone who can be creative and is eager to learn new technology and skills.

This role could span beyond just being a treating clinician. Within these companies, perhaps you can work instead as health writer, social media manager, affiliate manager, clinical educator, and more!

Best course to help you get a job in virtual reality? 

I've created a remote careers course, that has step by step video guides, resume template, cover letter template, interview questions and answers for virtual reality, and its bundled with other remote careers including recruiting, sales, technology/marketing, and ergonomic careers. 

Learn more here: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/remote-jobs-course 

Example day in the life of a virtual reality therapist:

Your schedule and day will be very similar to your day as therapist or assistant.

Usually you’ll wake up and have a list of patients on your schedule that you may have to evaluate or treat accordingly.

You may also be involved in answering questions from patients interested in virtual reality therapy but may have questions regarding this treatment.

You’ll perform daily documentation and billing, often billing insurance but some patients may also be cash based.

You’ll also perform research to help your patients, come up with treatment ideas, care plan, monitor your patient’s performance and HEP, and dialogue with treatment team.

Overall, your day will be very similar to therapy world, with the exception that you won’t have any physical labor, likely be working from home, and may be billing cash vs. insurance depending on the case.

What are the requirements to become a virtual reality therapist or assistant?

• Most of the VR companies that provide therapy will be looking for PT, OT, SLP or PTA and COTAs/OTAs. You may also find VR roles that are non therapy related like sales and marketing and these may not need a rehabilitation degree.
• It’s helpful to have some background in VR but NOT required, but I think an easy way to stand out is to take a CEU on MedBridge or any of the CEU companies and put that in your resume and interview (Please use code ALTERNATIVE to save 40% on a MedBridge CEU membership)
• Be able to work from home, previous remote experience may help – but this is an easy fix by getting any tele health contracting role for a brief time while still working full time

How to find virtual reality jobs:

Step 1.

Look up a list of common healthcare virtual reality companies. There are new companies starting all the time, but a short list include NeuroVR, XR Health, Lensa, and Pneumbra.

Step 2.

Apply to these companies directly and try to set up job auto notifications if possible to alert you if new jobs post.

Step 3.

I would personally email or call too if you can, as there may not be positions but they may be getting ready to hire. This can sometimes bring you to the top of the pack.

Step 4.

Connect with recruiters from these companies and message them for free by hitting “connect” and sending a message/note with your connection.

Step 5.

Also set up alerts on Indeed and LinkedIn for these companies and jobs

Step 6.

Use multiple titles while you are searching. Get creative! Try different search terms like virtual reality, virtual reality PT (substitute SLP or OT or PTA or COTA).

How to get these virtual reality jobs as therapist or assistant?

Getting a virtual therapy or virtual reality job should be pretty easy as it's a really simple transition, and they are looking specifically for your degree

But common mistakes we've seen is not updating and tailoring your resume to a virtual reality/virtual therapy position, not including a cover letter, not preparing for an interview, and not sending a thank you email shortly after. 

In addition, try to stand out by taking additional education with unlimited CEU programs, get experience working remotely as a telehealth contractor, and getting experience simply with VR devices by purchasing one and getting accustomed with the technology. 

You can even read virtual reality therapy research so show your dedication and interest in this position and providing the best care possible to patients.  

Summary:

I really hope this article has helped outline another amazing remote career that you as a physical, occupational, or speech therapist or assistant can do!

If you want a more in-depth guide into each of these career routes you can go to each of the respective blog posts here:

• How to get a utilization review/care coordinator job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/how-to-become-a-utilization-reviewer-rehabiliation-professionals
• How to get a recruiting job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/travel-therapy-recruiting
• How to get a sales job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA : https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/medical-sales-job-guide 
• How to get a telehealth job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/telehealth-job-guide 
• How to get a virtual reality job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/job-in-virtual-reality 
• How to get a Technology (product, project manager, customer success, clinical trainer) job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA :  https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/technology-job-guide 
• How to get an Assistive Technology job as a PT, OT, SLP, OTA/COTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/assistive-technology-job-guide 
• How to get a health coaching job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/health-coach-job-guide