Expert: Jenny - 2/21/2001

Question
Hi my name is Shae. I am a student at Mililani High School in Hawaii. One of my requirements for my research is to interview a professional. Would it be possible for you to answer these questions as soon as possible?

1. Why did you want to become a physical therapist?
2. What is the best part of your job?
3. What kind of course did you need?
4. How many yrs of college did you need?
5. Which college would you recommend to me?
6. Do you like your job? why/why not?
7. Would you chose a different job? why/why not?
8. What are your responsibilities in a day?
9. What don't you like about your job?
10. How would you describe, "Physical Therapy?"
11. How is your relasionships with your patients?
12. What are the working conditions?
13. What are the regular working hours?
14. Is this job dangerous? why/why not?
15. What are the advantages to your job?

thank you for your time...please respond back to me as soon as possible!
mahalo nui loa!
*shae*

Answer
1. Why did you want to become a physical therapist?
I worked as a clerk in a physical therapy office and was allowed to assist the therapist with patient care.   I saw first hand the great affects that therapists can have in people's lives, and I wanted to do that.  

2. What is the best part of your job?
Continuous learning.  I never go a day without learning something, whether it be a new skill from a collegue, or a life lesson from a patient.

3. What kind of course did you need?
I needed to graduate from an accredited physical therapist assistant school.  The classes focused on treatment techniques, anatomy and kinesiology, and pathologies.

4. How many yrs of college did you need?
 2:  I'm a physical therapist assistant.  A physical therapist also goes to a 2 year program, but they have 2 years of pre-reqs before the program.  

5. Which college would you recommend to me?
For PT, I have heard that the University of Miami is a good school, as is the University of South Alabama.  For PTA, I went to Pensacola Junior College, which is a very good school, having a 100% rate of passing when their students take the state boards (that is rare).

6. Do you like your job? why/why not?
Yes I do.  I like caring for patients and working other professionals.  I like continuing to learn each day, and to be able to watch the human body repair itself.

7. Would you chose a different job? why/why not?
Well...hard question!  I love to write, and if I could do PT part time and write part time, I would be very happy.  I can't see myself leaving the PT field, though.

8. What are your responsibilities in a day?
Caring for patients:  planning, carrying out and reviewing treatments for each patient to ensure they are progressing towards all goals; reporting patient status to supervising therapists and physicians; communicating with the patient and answering their questions/calming their fears; researching information as needed; documenting each treatment.

9. What don't you like about your job?
Wow.  Well, it can be very stressful.  Patients are often in a lot of pain, and they can sometimes be difficult to help.  Also, insurance companies are stepping in and dictating what treatments can and cannot be performed, so we spend a lot of time trying to get approval for what the doctor and therapists think the patient needs.

10. How would you describe, "Physical Therapy?"
Physical therapy is 90% art and 10% science.  PTs work on helping individuals regain function by improving mobility, strength and balance and by decreasing pain.  

11. How is your relasionships with your patients?
I have good professional relationships with my patients.  I try to keep the atmosphere very friendly and warm.  

12. What are the working conditions?
Usually indoors, often within a medical facility (hospital, nursing home, outpatient clinic, etc).  

13. What are the regular working hours?
They can vary widely, but most PTs work a typical 40 work week. Some PTs that work in hospitals also work weekends and holidays.

14. Is this job dangerous? why/why not?
Yes, it can be.  PTs must be able to support/lift/pick-up people of all sizes.  They must be able to interact safely with people who are often angry, upset, afraid and frustrated.  There is the danger of physical injury due to the constant stresses placed on the PT's body; however, in school, you learn how to perform the skills in the safest manner possible.

15. What are the advantages to your job?
I get to work regular hours, inside, and with very nice people!


I hope this helps! Good luck with your presentation!
PS:  if you go to http://www.apta.org you will find the American Physical Therapy association's site.  They have good general information there about Physical Therapy as a profession:)