Variation in Employment of Therapy Assistants in Skilled Nursing Facilities Based on Organizational Factors

Authors: Tracy Mroz, PhD, OTR/L | Arati Dahal, PhD | Rachel Prusynski, DPT | Susan Skillman, MS | Bianca Frogner, PhD

Topics: Health Workforce Journal Supplement, Long-Term Care, Nursing, Staffing

Research Center: University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies

September 18, 2020

Therapy assistants represent approximately half of the therapy workforce in skilled nursing facilities. Employment of therapy assistants enables skilled nursing facilities to provide more therapy services at lower costs. As new payment mechanisms provide incentives for therapy in skilled nursing facilities, employment of therapy assistants may be a cost-effective way to continue to provide services when necessary.

This article examines the relationships between organizational characteristics of skilled nursing facilities and employment of therapy assistants.

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University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies