Is there anyone out there who can tell me what a day is like as a physical therapist? I have sat in clinics and volunteered, but what I am wondering is what goes on behind the scenes? What are the hours like? All that stuff that volunteering doesn’t fill you in on! Thank you!!
Tags: Life, Physical, Therapist
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#1 by Anonymous on March 1, 2010 - 1:32 am
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I am a pediatric physical therapist. I work for a school district. I work a school schedule. My day starts at 8 am. For the first half hour, I work on paper work, checking email, returning phone calls, meeting with teachers, team meetings. Then I see 5 or so students. I then get a break, to catch up, have lunch, and travel to the next school. I see 5 or so more students. I then clean up the area and do paperwork. I then may go to a home visit for a medically frail child that is too fragile to come into school. I finish between 3;30 and 4;30.
My day is very different from what you probably visit. I teach kids to be as functional as possible in the school environment. I treat students with CP, spina bifida, JRA, autoimmune, amputees, autism, down syndrome, developmental delay/coordination disorder. I may teach a child to walk or propel a wheelchair. I often teach gross motor skills so they can be functional on the playground or in the gym. Can they carry a lunch tray without spilling everything, can they access the water fountain or locker. I work on eye hand and eye foot coordination so they can better perform in the classroom. I work on crossing midline. I work on skills that may help learn to read or write easier. Not typical PT that you would think of. I work on core strength and balance so they can sit in a classroom chair. I order adaptive equipment. I teach students, staff and families how to use the equipment. I teach staff how to lift and transfer children safely so they do not get hurt. I currently teach a yoga/music and movement class in one of the special ed classrooms this year. It has been a hit. The teacher is noticing that the kids are calmer after our class and ready to learn. They are all getting extra exercise. We see the whole class not just the PT kids. We have had request to do it in more classes next year. I love what I do. I hope this help. Please feel free to email me if you have more questions.