Toni Talks about PT Today : PTAs

Having a Second Job

Toni Patt — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:51:00 GMT

In a recent blog for ADVANCE , Jason Marketti talks about having several per diem jobs to help him afford large purchases. That reminded me of when I used to do the same thing. I can remember when most of my coworkers worked a few extra days. No one did...(read more)

What Is a Physical Therapist Extender?

Toni Patt — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:47:00 GMT

Reading Jason Marketti's blog last week reminded me of a discussion we're having here in Texas. It's called RC-3 and is an amendment to the Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act. It proposes unlicensed individuals such as athletic trainers and massage therapists...(read more)

Specialization and Skill or Low Salary?

Toni Patt — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:49:00 GMT

Recently I've found myself looking at the available positions in Houston. I never thought I would be doing this again but here I am. Things have changed since I last looked. There are more jobs posted than previously. Salaries are higher. No one seems...(read more)

Legality Doesn't Make It Right

Toni Patt — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:28:00 GMT

Last week I ran across something I'd never seen or heard of before -- a therapist who doesn't write notes. I had 12 of his patients. All 12 were lacking daily notes. The papers were there where the notes would have been written. Times in and out were...(read more)

No Bridging the Gap

Toni Patt — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:31:00 GMT

One of our rehab techs is planning to apply to PTA school. He wants to eventually go to PT school and thought this would help him get accepted when the time came. He also thought it would cut down on the time it takes to get his DPT. He was more than...(read more)

Direct Access and the DPT

Toni Patt — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:22:00 GMT

Today I ate lunch with someone I hadn't seen in a while. He wanted to tell me about the new facility where he is working. Someone there recently earned a DPT. He said the rest of the staff was now fawning over the new DPT. He asked me what my facility...(read more)

Guest Lecturing

Toni Patt — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:56:00 GMT

I recently was a guest lecturer on stroke for a PTA neurology class. I guess it's been a long time since I've been exposed to what goes into becoming a PTA. I was shocked at how much was being crammed into the program. It reminded me of what I had to...(read more)

This Was a Learning Experience

Toni Patt — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:22:00 GMT

Recently I had the opportunity to work with a different PTA on the rehab unit. She'd worked there off and on over the years and more recently has been filling in as needed. For some reason I hadn't met her previously. I'm sorry to say I wish I would have...(read more)