Position: Physical Therapist at Sentara
Education: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at California State Long Beach.
What inspired you to get into the field of physical therapy?
Lisa always wanted to work in a field that would be of-service and optimally in the medical field. She was a bit older when I settled into college and as much as being a doctor was appealing – the time to finish up and the probable debt she would have accumulated by graduation was a deterrent. “I heard about Physical Therapy and that seemed like a perfect fit and also would allow me to spend more 1 on 1 time with my clients.”
What was your path to you becoming a physical therapist?
After graduation, Lisa worked in an acute-care setting (hospital) for several months. She then moved to Northern California to a very small, remote part of the state. She worked as an independent contractor and worked in a small hospital, a couple of out-patient settings, “I had a contract to provide school-based pediatrics and also for a home-health agency. Out of all of those different types of physical therapy, I absolutely fell in love with the home-health setting and that’s where I’ve been ever since.” She then moved to the East Coast in 1999 and has worked for a home-health provider for the last 20 years.
Basic roles and responsibilities of a physical therapist?
She completed a comprehensive assessment – physical, cognitive, functional and emotional and include the patient and caregiver/family in establishing a plan of treatment to address deficits and to then treat and help the patient improve and meet their goals to maximize their safety, health and functional mobility. (therapeutic exercise, gait/balance and safety training, caregiver education/instruction, education/instruction in any durable medical equipment) “My treatment and care are coordinated also with any skilled nursing, OT, ST, MSW and aide services – all under the supervision/approval of a physician signing our orders.”
Your favorite (or most rewarding) aspect about being a physical therapist?
“I cherish the trust and relationships I build over time as I work with patients.” The work Lisa does is ‘real’ in the sense that it’s in their environment compared to a more sterile clinical environment. “It is truly an honor to work with them in their home setting.”
What is the most surprising aspect of being a physical therapist?
In a home health provider situation, you never know what you’ll walk into – the actual physical home setting can be surprising and family dynamics can also be very surprising. “I’ve been in mansions and I’ve been in trailers up in the mountains with goats, pigs and chickens running in and out of the home.”
What is the most challenging aspect of your career?
“The ever-changing demands of insurance/Medicare as related to documentation of the care we provide.”
Advice you would give to someone getting into the health field?
“Make sure you really understand the demands of the field and what kind of support you need to feel successful. For example – will you feel better in a clinic or hospital setting or will you be okay in a more independent/isolated setting like a home care setting?”
Something I have learned/taken away from this interview?
From this interview and the speakers we have had in class about other majors, I have decided to follow my love for children and teaching to become a special education teacher. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 6. I know medical employees are very important and it is a very fulfilling job but I just dont think it is for me. I want to help people and make a difference in the world in a different way. I admire all the health professionals and my hat goes off to all of them for all the hard work they do everyday.