“Your job as an aide is to make sure all the patients are attended to without compromise, maintaining the flow of the clinic, and that you represent not just yourself anymore, but the entire physical therapy staff”. I was told these words on my first day as a physical therapy aide. Since this was my first experience in a Physical therapy setting, it made me afraid of the therapist who spoke the words to me, and of the job requirements ahead of me. Overtime, these words set me on the path to learning the important values necessary to be a successful physical therapist. Values such as professional demeanor, accountability, and striving to give the best effort to help the patients were the main points the therapist emphasized in his words to me. All these values had one main goal, and that was so the patient can receive the best possible care. These values stuck …show more content…
Everything I do at work, and even outside of work has a direct effect on fellow coworkers, patients, and the profession of physical therapy. Having professional appearance and manners reassures the patient that you are going to give them the best care possible. Not living up to these standards can alienate the patient, and even show the therapists, and support staffs lack of professionalism and commitment to their patient. My goal was to strengthen all these qualities daily, and is still ongoing. Similarly I will continue to exhibit, and strengthen these qualities utmost as a DPT student. As a DPT student I will be representing the program, professors, clinical instructors, and my entire cohort. The way I act, and the mistakes I make have a negative effect on the entire program. Striving to be the best possible in all manners, appearances, and work ethic are my goal to bring utmost respect always to the program, and give the best care to the patients I have the privilege of treating during my clinical
"The Physical Therapist: A Professional Profile." American Physical Therapy Association. Online. Internet. 8 April 1997. Available: http://www.apta.org/pt_prof/professionalprofile.html.
During the interview, the Physical Therapist I conferred with was very thorough and straightforward in his responses to the questions that were given. I decided to interview another one of my mother’s fellow co-workers, Mr. Stephen Chan, considering his new experiences in the Physical Therapy field. I met with Mr. Stephen Chan at the Kaiser Permanente Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic that is located in Union City. The essential subject matters that we discussed consisted of his Major and Minor in college, the Residency Program that he takes part in, variations of attitudes, and advantages in the workforce.
I have dreamed of becoming a physical therapist since I was a child. A few of my family friends are physical therapists and it was just something that really interested me. Although some would think that a Physical Therapists career is smooth sailing, healthcare professionals challenge a series of regulatory and ethical issues in the modern varying practice settings. I grew up wanting to help people in some type of way, but after researching more about physical therapy I found out that doing what’s best for someone such as a patient is often manipulated and, at times, compromised. Clients are manipulated by other factors, including rules or guidelines linked
A Physical Therapist must be selfless when it comes to caring for patients and interacting with staff and other health care professionals. Altruism is commonly defined as placing someone else’s needs before their own needs or desires. This value is very important when it comes to physical therapy since the physical therapist is ultimately working to serve others. This is seen in physical therapy when the therapist puts the patients’ needs and care before his or her own needs. Also, when providing physical therapy services to undeserved and underrepresented populations. Even when it comes to sharing one’s knowledge with others, an altruistic physical therapist is quick to share the knowledge gained in order for the betterment of the career. Students must work to bettering those around them and putting patients’ and authority
Assistant must work under the therapist to carry out and support physical therapy procedures. Employee must be able to treat patients with diseases, injuries, and disabilities by using a wide array of therapy techniques and procedures to prepare veterans for future activity. This job also requires the employee to productively co-operate with other medical personnel and therapists. Care-giver must screen, advise, and assist patient through therapy and promote a positive outlook for their recovery. Physical therapy assistant must aid in maintaining a safe environment for both the workers and veterans. This may include maintenance of machines, safety checks, cleaning, and
Physical Therapist (PT), are skilled health care practitioners that aim to improve movement, reduce pain and increase patient enjoyment of life. All while providing moral, legal and ethical care to patients. However, each of these requirements of practice are dictated by different entities. Meaning, that the requirements sometimes may or may not correlate with one another. Legally, therapist must abide by both state and national laws that are put in place for all health care professionals, in addition to those specific to the field of Physical Therapy. Whereas, ethical responsibilities may be dictated by the professional organizations and society norms. While morals vary according to different cultures and subcultures, making them specific
It takes a unique individual to want to become a Physical Therapist. These professionals have a lot of personal traits that are a must need to excel in the Physical Therapy field. A Physical therapist could be faced with a patient/client that might be angry, sad, or confused, so being able to relate to these individuals is a great quality all therapist must have. These personal traits are skills like being relaxed and determined, supportive, and of course knowledgeable.
With the help of my family and employers, I resign from my job and enrolled into the University of Houston-Clear Lake. They motivated me into taking the first step into my professional career in where I achieved my bachelor’s degree in Fitness & Human Performance. It was there that I was given the opportunity to do my internship at Proactive Physical Therapy (PPT) and see hands on what to expect in a PT setting. To be a part of someone’s rehabilitation journey, from the moment you first see them at their initial evaluation, to when they are graduating and being discharged, is an incredible feeling to be a part of. A Physical Therapist often encounter patients that are at the lowest point in their life in which they would have to teach, coach, listen and motivate the patient to rehabilitate them. When TW came in for PT, he was down on himself because he had
Many people such as ourselves will at some point in time need assistance whether it be having a neighbor help us carry groceries into our home or medical assistance from a professional. At times, it may be difficult to accept or choose the help of others or to trust and rely on those that can either hinder or benefit your wellbeing. What is the role of a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant.? “Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility, Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist” (Bellamy, n.d.). Furthermore, we may wonder the
While there were many differences between each setting, there were also several commonalities. In all settings, the physical therapists provided care that was professional and skilled. They worked collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to provide the best care possible for each of their patients. They strived to establish rapport and trust with each patient. Each of the settings I observed provided me with insights to the field of physical therapy and convinced me that this career is the right choice for
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is one of the largest professional organizations representing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students. The APTA provides a wide variety of services for physical therapists such as job opportunities, the latest research articles and guidelines for professional conduct. A part of these guidelines include core values all physical therapists must embody and demonstrate. According to the APTA, the core values for professionalism in physical therapy are accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty and social responsibility (Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values, 2012). Many of these core values appear naturally
According to APTA’s Provision of Physical Therapy Interventions and Related Tasks, 4 Physical therapy aides are any support personnel who perform designated tasks related to the operation of the physical therapy service. The tasks only be performed by the aide under direct personal supervision of the physical therapist, or where allowab...
Physical therapists play an integral role in health care. The vision statement for the physical therapy career is: “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience”. 1 Through my prior volunteer and work experiences, I discovered that physical therapy was the perfect career choice and vision for my future. As a current student and future physical therapist, I will play an important role for society and within the health care profession. The vision statement will serve as my reminder to always strive for more knowledge and feedback as a student, uphold pertinent values that will improve the practice of physical therapy, and to always provide quality care to all patients.
Physical therapy plays a major role in the lives of many individuals every day. It is up to those in the Physical therapy profession to assist patients in rehabilitation, prevention, and care. Obtaining a Physical Therapy license requires relevant certifications and credentials. A Bachelor in Health Science is just the start of the educational requirements needed to succeed. As with any profession, there are some current issues in the field of Health Care that relate to Physical Therapy. This includes the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and individuals with disabilities. It is vital to be a respectful and professional Physical therapist. Patient care is priority. Having the proper education and knowledge to assist clients is extremely important. People of all ages require physical therapy for various injuries, illnesses, and diseases. I feel that my connection with working with people of all ages will benefit me when it comes to the job. While I know what my strengths are, I do have goals set for my future in Physical Therapy. These goals include: graduating Kaplan University with a Bachelors of Science in Health Science, graduating University of Massachusetts with a Doctorates of Physical Therapy, receiving licensure from the State of Massachusetts, and gaining employment in a sports or rehabilitation setting. I know that Kaplan University Career Services can assist me in obtaining my goals as a Physical Therapist because of their in-depth assistive programs that can assist me with my employment desires. In 5 years, I see myself working with athletes or wounded Veterans in a local rehabilitative setting or hospital. There is no other profession I would want more than becoming a professional, licensed, Physical Therapist and gettin...
Physical therapists are health care professionals that provide therapeutic services to their patients who have temporary or chronic physical conditions that were caused from injury or disease. Physical therapist also provided therapeutic services to patients after they have gone through surgery to help them gain back mobility and manage their pain. They can also work in preventive care by promoting healthy life styles and instructing individual patients or groups on preventing injury by using exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles. To help their patients try to recover they use massage techniques, wellness plans, and different types of equipment. When a physical therapist sees a patient for the very first time they must do an examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and then put together a physical intervention to start the rehabilitation process. They also work as a team with other health care professionals to help with their patients needs. Physical therapist can really make a difference in their patient’s lives by not only providing therapeutic services but also encouraging and motivating them so they can get better. The main goals of physical therapist are to help their patients retain or gain back lost physical mobility, eliminate or reduce pain, increase productivity and help promote a healthy life style so patients can have a better quality of life and become more independent.