Job Responsibilities
As a physical therapist working at a home health agency I
control the amount that I work each day. Every Monday I get a
call from the patient scheduler and she askes how many patients
I would be willing to take on. I then call all of the patients
and set up my schedule for the next 2 days. I then print off
directions to their homes and go and have a treatment session
with the patients that are under my care. Each treatment
sessions ranges from 30-60 minutes. Each day I typically see 4-6
patients, which is my choice. Home health is great because it is
so flexible, the one major drawback is that there is a lot of
paperwork. Because a home health therapist does not have to
report in to an office regularly you have to motivate yourself
to stay on top of your paperwork. I would always do my paperwork
at the end of everyday or between patients if I had the time.
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Job Requirements
The PT program is very challenging at any school, but very
fulfilling. I enjoy school so it came pretty easy to me, but I
worked really hard at it. I went to Central Michigan University
the program there is wonderful. The class that enters the
program is 35-45 people and you become really close. You always
get into every class that you want as there are only 35-45
students and everyone is required to take them. The professors
are outstanding, tough, but wonderful.
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Uppers
Working with a lot of people. As a PT you can work with a lot of patients who
are very vulneralbe, but it can be so rewarding. You really get the chance to
know your patients and really make an impact on their recovery and for the rest
of their lives. Most times we spend a lot more time with the patient than their
doctor so they really trust in us. I also like being in a health setting, where
we are teaching people how to get better through exercise/stretching that they
can continue to do at home. Also, it is not like I am sitting at a desk all day
long, I am on my feet helping different people, I Love It!
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Downers
The paperwork!!! It can be daunting, but you just have to stay
focused and organized and it can be managed. Also the insurance
companies that dictate what a lot of patients can and cannot
receive as treatment. That can be really frustrating!
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Lifestyle
As a home health PT I make my own hours. I only travel around my house, so not
too far. The comapny (Arizona Home Care) has a a lot of social events and is
truely like a family. The dress code is casual professional. As we are in AZ it
is really hot in the summer so we are allowed to wear shorts and sleeveless
shirts within reason. The diversity is wonderful in the company, many different
cultures, religions, sexual orientation, etc.
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Compensation
As I work per diem I make $55 per patient treatment visist, and
$65 for start of care during the 8-5 weekday. Before 8 am, after
5 pm and on weekends and holidays we make $60 per treatment
session and $70 per start of care. We are reimbured 0.40 per
mile and we get $20 cell phone allowance every 2 weeks.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Right now the job market is hot, there are so many jobs!!!!
Being a PT is a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work if you want
to be good and respected! I love my profession, it is the
perfect fit for me. You defniately want to make sure that this
is what you want to do, because it is a lot of work to be a good
PT. You also need to be a people person, as your patients,
colleagues, and doctors need to be able to talk to you.
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