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Careers

A Day in the Life at a Burn Center

Every day in a burn center blends advanced medicine, hands-on care, and emotional support. Walk through a typical day to see how dedicated teams help patients heal, regain function, and rebuild their lives, and why burn care draws passionate professionals from many disciplines.


Explore Careers in Burn Care

Care That Starts the Moment the Day Begins

Each morning begins with multidisciplinary rounds, during which physicians, nurses, therapists, dietitians, case managers, psychologists, and burn technicians discuss each patient’s progress and adjust their care plans.


Learn About the Team's Roles

The day quickly moves into treatment: 

  • Wound cleaning and dressing changes in the treatment room 

  • Vital signs checks and medication administration 

  • Early mobilization and gentle stretching exercises led by therapists 

This daily rhythm keeps patients safe, supported, and progressing toward recovery. 

Healing in Motion — Therapy & Function

Moving Forward, One Step at a Time

Physical and occupational therapists join patients at the bedside or in therapy gyms to work on mobility, strength, and range of motion, starting from the very first day. Early, individualized therapy helps prevent contractures, reduces scarring, and builds confidence, allowing patients to return to daily life as independently as possible.

Nutrition & Whole-Person Support

Fueling Recovery Inside and Out

Burn recovery demands extra calories and protein. Dietitians tailor meal plans and, in some cases, use feeding tubes to meet each patient’s specific needs. At the same time, social workers, psychologists, and child life specialists offer counseling and coping strategies, helping patients and families manage anxiety, depression, or PTSD that can accompany burn trauma.

A Team Beyond the Bedside

Collaboration That Never Stops

From burn technicians assisting with dressing changes to case managers planning discharges and community reintegration, each role contributes to patient outcomes. Burn care is never solo work, it’s a coordinated effort focused on restoring dignity, function, and hope.


Meet the Burn Care Team

Why Professionals Choose Burn Care

The emotional toll can be real: complex wounds, pain management, long recoveries, and profoundly personal patient stories.

Yet many professionals describe burn care as the most meaningful work of their careers, one that combines technical skill, human connection, and the opportunity to witness life-changing progress every day.

It’s a specialty that challenges clinicians to grow continuously, collaborate across disciplines, and make a lasting impact, not just on physical healing but on patients’ hopes and futures.

Connect, Learn, & Lead with the ABA

Your Professional Community in Burn Care

The American Burn Association helps burn care professionals advance through: 

  • Education, CME, and specialized courses 

  • Leadership roles, SIGs, and mentorship 

  • Access to clinical tools and practice guidelines 

  • A network of peers who understand the work and its impact 

Stay inspired and connected, from student to seasoned specialist.


Explore ABA Membership Benefits

Discover the Heart of Burn Care

Every day in a burn center blends expertise, empathy, and resilience. Whether you're a clinician, therapist, researcher, or support professional, you’ll help patients do more than heal; you’ll help them move forward.


Start Your Journey