Physical Therapist in Transition : Workplace Issues

Investing in Our Future

Karen Schiff — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:19:00 GMT

Along with all the chaos that accompanies a capstone project, additional pressing issues come to the front lines. Within the past few months, the subject of G-Codes has taken up a majority of time in regard to educating ourselves, clinical and ancillary...(read more)

Consumed by a Case Report

Karen Schiff — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:11:00 GMT

When it rains, it pours. That's the only thing I can think of as I write endlessly into the night about pelvic fractures, aquatic therapy, and my case report. Sentences are not scarce, and the time to condense the content of this paper is coming this...(read more)

Taking a Look Back for Rejuvenation

Karen Schiff — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:34:00 GMT

Organizing a case report is proving to be more challenging than ever. Although my patient case is, in my estimation, a complicated issue, I thought for sure that I'd have more than enough to research and background information to present than I'd know...(read more)

Let the Fun Begin!

Karen Schiff — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:34:00 GMT

The dining room table no longer is clear. It's covered with journal articles, the Guide to PT Practice , and numerous notes from all of the classes I've completed so far. With the final two classes upon me, I'm feeling quite a bit overwhelmed and I'm...(read more)

Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Karen Schiff — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:47:00 GMT

As the dust begins to settle from separating one department into two, this extended break from school allows me to get a grasp on what being a manager really entails in an outpatient rehabilitation facility. From balancing payroll to juggling hours in...(read more)

In Preparation for the DPT

Karen Schiff — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:01:00 GMT

Amazing what can happen in one week. In a major healthcare system of a large metropolitan area surrounded by water, we've successfully accomplished separating pediatric from adult rehabilitation in preparation for our growth as the Rehabilitation Institute...(read more)

Good Timing

Karen Schiff — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:12:00 GMT

A short break between semesters has proven to come at the best time for me. Today brings with it a major change in my facility, where one department is becoming two. Employees have been preparing for months for this change, with hopes that everything...(read more)

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Karen Schiff — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:21:00 GMT

Registration for the final two courses has taken place. Mental, physical and emotional preparation is next on my agenda. Although I have a pretty good idea about what my case report will be, I often question myself and my ability to develop a doctoral-level...(read more)

Safety Zone

Karen Schiff — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:32:00 GMT

A most disturbing week has occurred, once again, for the citizens of our country. As I look forward to starting a new semester once again and booking a flight to attend a weekend course for the final session in the quest for my DPT, I'm shaken by the...(read more)

Organized Chaos

Karen Schiff — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:39:00 GMT

As we move toward the formation of a major rehabilitation provider in the region, meetings, conference calls and webinars fill my schedule. My new role is quickly becoming a challenge, in that therapists are being designated as working for the adult hospital,...(read more)

Case Report Preparation

Karen Schiff — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:08:00 GMT

After a long three-day weekend over the holiday, I was surprised to find in my school email in-box a quick response to the second submission of my abstract. I was sure to have a response that I completed the class successfully with this project. However,...(read more)

Graduation Day

Karen Schiff — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:54:00 GMT

A big year is in the making. I've successfully completed training to become a Guardian Ad Litem. The next step is to wait for a case to be assigned to me. Quite often, friends and family question me about how I'll manage the guardianship of a minor or...(read more)

Making Progress

Karen Schiff — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:32:00 GMT

All aspects of this busy schedule are coming together, finally, with much loss of sleep, sweat and tears. Attending classes for the Guardian Ad Litem program after work twice a week, with one more week to go, I'm determined now more than ever that this...(read more)

Blended Lifestyle

Karen Schiff — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:39:00 GMT

One thing most people think of my schedule is that I have a very well-balanced work and personal life. Unfortunately, this isn't true. When I think of balance, I think of a controlled environment, even as obstacles get in the way. This is definitely not...(read more)

Abstract Formation

Karen Schiff — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:40:00 GMT

The formation of an abstract that's limited to 150 words is quite challenging, especially after performing an exhaustive literature search on several aspects of my patient case report. I'd even refer to the task as exhaustive, and I haven't even started...(read more)