Detailed Notes on Physical Therapy Interview

Job Duties and Experience

Currently works at Northridge Hospital.
Focuses on inpatient acute care, dealing with recently admitted and severely ill patients.
Sees a lot of trauma cases including motor vehicle accidents and gunshot wounds.
Works in a stroke center, treating patients from day one of their stroke.
Deals with a diverse range of cases daily, primarily geriatric but also younger populations.
Aims to improve patients' functional mobility, such as standing and walking, to enable basic activities like using the bathroom.
Has been practicing for two years, graduating from West Coast University in 2022 and CSUN in 2018.

Finds the career fulfilling, especially seeing patient progress from initial stages to recovery.
Enjoys seeing patients improve from being bedridden to walking independently; previously worked in a setting where patients transitioned from inpatient (ICU) to outpatient care.
In outpatient, focuses on strength, balance, and overcoming residual stroke effects, finding it rewarding to witness the entire recovery journey.

Prefers the hospital setting over clinics due to the variety and critical thinking required.
Clinic work can be repetitive (general strengthening and balance exercises).
Hospital environment involves collaboration with doctors, nurses, OTs, speech therapists, and dieticians for comprehensive patient care plans.
Clinic work is more isolated, primarily involving just the therapist and patient.

Does not personally bring in new clients; patients are admitted through the ER.
Treatment starts once patients are admitted to the hospital.
Differs from outpatient facilities where a prescription from a PCP is needed for referrals.
Focuses on patient treatment rather than the business aspects of physical therapy.

Goal setting is case-by-case, tailored to the patient's presentation.
Goals are realistic based on the patient's baseline condition.
Example: For bedbound patients, the initial goal may be sitting at the edge of the bed and working on balance.
For patients ambulatory before admission, the goal is to restore walking ability with appropriate assistive devices (e.g., hemi walker for stroke patients).
Clinical judgment is crucial in setting realistic goals.

Treats a variety of cases due to the hospital being a trauma center.
Common issues include motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and strokes.
Each case is unique, requiring collaboration with different professions to integrate various perspectives.

Session length varies based on patient condition.
Shorter sessions for bedbound or confused patients versus longer sessions for alert and ambulatory patients.
Typical sessions range from 30 minutes to an hour.

Initial evaluation lasts about an hour.
Involves introducing oneself, checking orientation, and asking about pre-admission status and home situation.
Assesses home setup, support system (family/friends), and independence level.
Performs a comprehensive assessment: range of motion, strength, sensory, and neurological screen.
Attempts to have the patient sit, stand, and use appropriate assistive devices.
Ambulatory patients undergo gait and balance assessments.
Determines if patients are safe to return home.
Collaborates with case managers and doctors to decide on discharge plans: nursing home, acute rehab, or home health.

Patient motivation varies; some are eager to return home, while others are not motivated.
Involves convincing patients to participate, emphasizing the need for assessment to ensure safe discharge.
Offering pre-medication for pain can help encourage participation.

Goals are established during the initial evaluation.
Progress is monitored based on distance and assistance levels.
Example: Transition from being unable to sit to walking without assistance indicates readiness for discharge.
Inpatient goals focus on functional abilities for safe movement and basic needs, while outpatient goals focus on improving strength and range of motion.

Inpatient Goals:
- Focus on functionality for safe movement. Examples:
  - Using the bathroom.
  - Walking to the bathroom.
  - Walking safely along the hallway
Outpatient Goals:
- Focus on strength and range of motion.
- Strength grading scale:
  - 3+ to 4+ or 5
  - 5 is the perfect grading scale for strength.
- Range of Motion:
  - 60 degrees to 180 degrees
Clinical judgment is essential to apply goals accordingly.

Inpatient patients, being sicker, may go home with home health, to a nursing home, or to acute rehab.
Acute rehab is for intensive rehabilitation if multiple body parts are affected.
As patients improve, they may be referred to outpatient facilities.

Convincing unmotivated, heavy-set patients to work with you is a significant challenge.
Requires help from aides, other PTs, or OTs to safely mobilize patients.

Compassion and kindness are essential.
It's a service-oriented profession akin to customer service in a medical setting.
A kind heart is fundamental; other skills will follow.

Renewed license by taking continuing education courses on MedBridge (watching videos and passing tests).
Planning to take a CSRS (Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist) course for the next renewal cycle, which counts as con-ed units.

Learning never stops; stay ahead by taking courses (online or in-person) to grow as a clinician.
Keep up with new technology and evidence-based research to provide optimal patient care.

Believes in work-life balance; spends time with loved ones and travels during time off.
Burnout is a concern; encourages self-care and pursuing enjoyable activities.
Work is not everything; mental health is crucial.

Hours are similar in both hospital and outpatient settings.
Typically 40 hours a week, with options for four 10-hour shifts or five 8-hour shifts (standard in hospitals).
Three 12-hour shifts are uncommon for therapists due to patient schedules.

Good luck, and always try your best.
You are already in this field because of your kind heart mentality.
There is a reason why you wanted to pursue physical therapy. You want to interact with different people and make sure that they get better.

Combination of work in a nursing home as performing medical records, volunteer, and grades were good enough (I wanna say they were the best), will get you ahead

GRE scores and grades should be competitive.
Let your personality shine; programs seek the right fit during interviews.
Be yourself, and networking is key; put yourself out there, and be kind with everyone.