PTA Blog Talk : Workplace Issues

Rehab Criteria

Jason Marketti — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:49:00 GMT

Recently I was told if there is no denial of claims and patients are making progress, the physical therapy department is a success. This got me to thinking about success in a rehab department. What exactly is the criterion for success in rehab? Good communication...(read more)

Reining Me In - Part 2

Jason Marketti — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:37:00 GMT

When I was doing wound care I put together most of the protocols that we would use in the department as well as stocked the equipment that was necessary to treat almost any kind of wound. I met with the appropriate nursing staff so we would all be on...(read more)

Reining Me In

Jason Marketti — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:10:00 GMT

The PTA reports to the PT who is responsible for the patient. I get it. I discussed my role with a PT friend of mine recently and asked her about how much leeway she gives the assistants who work with her. She told me even though she is friendly with...(read more)

Sisyphean Tasks

Jason Marketti — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:27:00 GMT

Sometimes I feel like my work is to no avail. The endless stream of "revolving door" patients and constant repetition of instructions can drive me insane. I get frustrated when I give a patient HEPs and theraband with detailed instructions on its use...(read more)

Mentoring

Jason Marketti — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:32:00 GMT

I have been on a search for years for a mentor. Not only one that helps me develop as a PTA, but also in my personal life. I need someone that can understand my point of view but allows me the insight into another perspective. I would like someone who...(read more)

Goal Documentation

Jason Marketti — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:12:00 GMT

"You do not need to address each goal in your daily note. Focus on what you did that was skilled." This is a direct quote from our DOR to me. I really like our DOR, she is fair, concise, and a great clinician but I didn't get what this meant. So I asked,...(read more)

Nordies

Jason Marketti — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:06:00 GMT

I recently finished several books in rapid succession. One of those was about the Nordstrom stores and their delivery of customer service. A brilliant book about the culture of the store. It was hard to believe that those who work for Nordstrom's are...(read more)

A Problem

Jason Marketti — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:28:00 GMT

But first an update: A while back I spoke about my CPR Instructor course and no one wanting to pay for it through CEU money and me hoping that our administrator would pay. Well, no one paid for it. Now for the difficult part. I work with a PT who is constantly...(read more)

Litigation

Jason Marketti — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:02:00 GMT

I have never been hauled into court over what I have or have not done. No jury has appraised me for what I look like and no attorney has battered me on the stand. I recently read Gloria Allred's book "Fight Back and Win." I think if she took on the health...(read more)

Being a Dad

Jason Marketti — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Am I invisible when I go to the MD with my wife and children? Why do most of the health providers we see together look at me then talk to my wife? Are they surprised that a father is taking an active role in their child's health and asking pertinent questions...(read more)

Max Level Performance

Jason Marketti — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:39:00 GMT

I write about complaints I have experienced and concerns I have about the health care industry. But some of my comments are only to make us perform better. Imagine if you never had a thorn in your side asking questions trying to absorb and understand...(read more)

When the PTA Knows More

Jason Marketti — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:35:00 GMT

I have worked with new grad PTs and those with many years of experience, and there will always be times when I know more than a PT, just as they will, at times, know more than me in relation to patient care and progression. Over the years I have learned...(read more)

Progression

Jason Marketti — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:08:00 GMT

Therapy treatments should show progression, and insurance companies will approve treatments as long as the patient will progress. This is probably why few PTs are in hospice care. But what about PD and dementia-related diseases that are slowly progressive...(read more)

A Day Without an Assistant

Jason Marketti — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:21:00 GMT

The debate about PTAs and where we will be in the future is undecided but we do know the APTA has not done enough to advance the PTA and the known bridge programs are virtually useless to the majority of us that want to progress from PT Assistant to PT....(read more)

CPR and CEU Money

Jason Marketti — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:36:00 GMT

I recently took a BLS instructor course. (I will be able to teach CPR and first aid among other things.) I was initially told this was covered by my CEU money, and later told it was not. Then I thought, why wouldn't it be? It could turn into a great marketing...(read more)