PT Talk: Forums

Michigan PTA licensure... HELP

Mica Campbell — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:37:46 GMT

Michigan passed legislation on PTA's now needing to be licensed (about time!). The state says, "In order to practice as a PTA in Michigan on or after January 1, 2011, you must hold either a limited or a full PTA license." Full licenses (which I am eligible for) aren't avalible until Spring of 2010. My employer (SNF) just told me that we all are required by Medicare to be licensed by the end of this year. I've done my reseach and cannot find this information. Does anyone know if this is true? Do I really have 1 month to get licensed when the state told me I had two years!?

I've called the state... they don't know what's going on. I've called the school... they don't know what's going on. I've called my boss... only 1 person in the whole company has heard this.

Need advice on going back to school for PTA

Mokie L — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:33:17 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Here's some background: I'm 30, and have a BA already. I've always wanted to work in healthcare, and I think being a PTA would be a good fit for me. However, I am a little apprehensive about going back to school. At age 30, I'll probably be in class with a bunch of 18 year olds! That being said:

Is a degree from a Community College going to be more/less respected than one from a Technical school or an ICM/Sanford Brown type institution? None of the 4 year colleges in my area offer a PTA option.

From what I have read, the job market looks good. I live in Western Pennsylvania, is this the case? I have also read the average salary is $15-$22 an hour. I know websites about salary aren't always accurate, so I wanted to go straight to the source.

I know I'll probably be working under therapists that are younger than me. Are any of you in this situation, and how are you handling it? Obvious I would have respect for them, but I have heard the one thing about being a PTA and being happy, is liking your PT.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Readmissions in SNF

Nathan Pruss — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:21:23 GMT

Does anyone know CMS regulations on PT evaluations on readmissions to SNF. Example: Resident A goes to the hospital at 11:30 PM then returns at 3:00 am does another PT 700/evaluation HAVE to be done?

Thanks

Readmissions in SNF

Nathan Pruss — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:21:22 GMT

Does anyone know or

medicare holidays

Cie Hernandez — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:59:10 GMT

I work in an inpatient rehab hospital and we are trying to staff appropriately for the holidays. Obviously we are aware of the 3 hrs per day/5days a week rule, but does medicare observe major holidays as an exception to this rule? Are there any medicare observed holidays, and if so what are they? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Your opinion on senior balance exercise web info

Kevin Brown, President — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:08:11 GMT

Looking for input regarding my book and website, www.balanceforeverybody.com

Based on our published research,the program is designed to target the key areas of function for fall prevention, as well as a chapter on testing balance and function at home. I'm getting great feedback from patients and wellness directors but looking for feedback from P.T.s Thank you in advance.

MDS

Nathan Pruss — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:55:08 GMT

Can a PTA document and sign the MDS form? Anyone have thoughts or experiences? Thanks.

Home health and Pay for Performance

Stacy Higginbotham — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:31:42 GMT

I am a contract home physical therapist and having a hard time finding out more about Pay for Performance. I wonder how it will affect the number of referrals I receive. Will I get more referrals because the agencies will be working harder at getting patients more functional or will I get less because they will stop over utilizing PT? Does anyone out there have any thoughts on the subject?

Do You Work in the East North Central Region?

Elizabeth Puliti — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:03:27 GMT

Do you work in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio or Wisconsin?

Would you recommend other PTs move to the area?

How supportive is the region to the field of physical therapy?

Physical Therapy Travel and Healthcare Reform

Terry Buckley — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:11:05 GMT

I would like to get several opinions on how Healthcare Reform may affect the profession of a Traveling Physical Therapist? Please specify the positive and negative possibilities in this industry. Your opinions are most appreciated !!

MASTER PT PROGRAM

Barbara Carter — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:22:55 GMT

ARE THERE ANYMORE MASTERS PT PROGRAMS IN THE STATES? IF YES WHERE?

PT ROCKS MONTH2009

Barbara Carter — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:18:34 GMT

IS THERE A MEDICARE RULE REGARDING GIVEAWAYS DURING THIS MONTH FOR PATIENTS. EXAMPLE WE PLAY GAMES/WORDPUZZLES ETC. FOR PRIZES WE USUALLY GIVE OUT FOOD CARD FOR $5-$10 HAND CREAMS/SANITIZERS ETC.

THIS IS A PRIVATE PRACTICE SETTING. IF THERE IS A RULE WHERE CAN I FIND IT?

PT in Rural Area

T. Lee — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:30:27 GMT

Hello,

I am looking for guidance on providing PT services in a rural area to residents in their home. I do not want to start a home health agency but would like to be able to treat these patients and bill Medicare. I have searched the internet and have found some information but nothing specific to what I am trying to do. I am not interested in doing home health as a full time job but would like to help some people in my town that could really benefit from PT services for pain management. Any suggestions, ideas and comments will be welcomed.

Thanks!

T. Lee

Do You Work in the Mid Atlantic Region?

Elizabeth Puliti — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:37:52 GMT

Do you work in this region?

Would you recommend other PTs move to the area?

How supportive is the region to the field of physical therapy?

Master's vs. Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy

Drive Far — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:17:01 GMT

Hi all,

I would REALLY appreciate any advice.

I am applying to schools in CA right now and I have no idea whether to get a Master's or Doctorate. What are the benefits of one or the other? I've hear that a doctorate doesn't necessarily gaurantee a higher income, so why put in an extra year? Once I'm older and I someday decide that I don't want to be a PT, do I have other options with a doctorate (e.g. teaching..)?

Please give me your input, everyone.

Thanks!!

PTA thinking about getting a bachelors..NEED HELP!

Laura Denslinger — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:58:28 GMT

alright so i have been thinking about getting a bachelors lately.

i have been working at an ortho/sports clinic for about 2 months. there are 5 PTs, 1 PTA (me), and 5 ATCs.

i'm thinking about getting one in exercise science and here are my reasons:

1. i feel like the ATCs know more about exercises than i do, and would like more edu on exercise.

2. if i ever decide to go for PT i need a bachelors and exercise science would probably be a good undergrad

3. i may in the future decide to work/teach in a pta program, so i would need a bachelors for that..and i could then teach therex and whatever

4. i'm not looking for a salary increase, but it would be nice to say that i do have a bachelors in exercise and i am a pta. i think it would make me a little more respectable. more so to the patients. i mean i'm 20 and when i say i have an associates i get this wierd vibe from them

anyway so my question is:

Do you think i should get a bachelors?

and if i do do you think exercise science would be a good route?

Physical Therapy and Wii

Elizabeth Puliti — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:22:36 GMT

Have you ever incorporated Wii games into rehab?

What was your experience?

Did patients enjoy participating in these video games?

What are your tips for other PTs who may want to include Wii in their facility?

Advice on Travel PT

Eric Tan — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 07:32:42 GMT

Hello:

My name is Eric, and I have been working as a PT for about 2 years. I am looking to work as a travel PT, and would like to talk to other PTs who are in traveling PT position. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Eric :)

Do You Work in the New England Region?

Elizabeth Puliti — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:15:14 GMT

Do you work in this region?

Would you recommend other PTs move to the area?

How supportive is the region to the field of physical therapy?

looking for rehab/snf in south jersey area with bariatric tilt table and/or other bariatric equipment

Lisa Tate — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:55:20 GMT

I'm a home care therapist with a 450 # pt. who formerly could do stand/pivot transfers, can't since hospitalization due to deconditioning and also severe knee pain. Might be able to begin WB with tilt table or pther appropriate equipment. Anyone know of a facility that can accomodate bariatric patients?

Electronic Documentation

Dan Robertson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:08:58 GMT

What type of electronic software are you using for notes, evals etc. Our practice is currently doing transcription, but usually we stay a couple days behind. Would love to know of some great software at a reasonable price. Thanks

i want to pursue my Physical Therapy career , pls help!!!

Bilen Hansborough — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:31:14 GMT

My name is Bilen a mother of two and a wife, i am currently working in a Doctors office as PAtient Care Technician. I have a Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy. I graduated in the philippines back in 2001 and never had a chance to take the boards. I would love to pursue my career as physical therapist but evaluation of my credentials is very confusing. FCCPT had evaluate my credentials before and they said that my education was not substancially equivalent to the first professional degree in physical therapy in united states. the bad thing about it FCCPT did not tell me what subject or courses am i missing? if i need to do some refreshment courses. When i called FCCPT i was told that they cannot help me but i haved an option to pay FCCPT $350.00 for unlimited questions and answer through email or a charge of $100.00 every 30 minutes in all any questions i have. I didn't think this is a smart thing to do, in the first place everything cost money applying for my credential evaluation,taking some test and those stuff. I cannot afford to pay $350.00 or $100.00 everytime i need to ask them questions. if somebody can please help me how to get my credentials evaluate as soon as possible and could tell what should i do step by step will really help me a lot. Thank you so much for reading my letter.

Online PhD in Physical Therapy

SouthPhillyPT — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:16:09 GMT

Is anyone familiar with the online PhD program in Physical Therapy from NOVA Southeastern University?

I would like to know your thoughts and comments as to the rigor and strength of its curriculum. Thank you.

Considering PTA Degree...need some advice

StephM — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:58:43 GMT

I am a 36 year old mother of a 2 year old and thinking of leaving a 13 year IT career to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I was a Sports Medicine trainer in High School and planned to pursue a similar career in health and fitness, but encountered many challenges out of High School and never went to college. Full time work and finances prevented me from going back to school. Now, 18 years later, I am considering quitting my job to pursue a PTA degree and finally do what I'm passionate about.

This all sounds great except we can't easily do without my salary for the time I would need to be jobless, and time wise, I worry about doing something to better myself and deprive my son of that time together. Like many moms (and dads) I can't get over the feeling that I'm making a selfish decision. I would love to hear from others who have gone back to school after a very long hiatus, especially moms or those who encountered the challenge of losing an entire income while in school.

I would also love to hear about how to go about researching schools. I only have 2 options in my area and one is accredited...the other is only "in the application process" for accredidation. The accredited program is about 3K more expensive. How much does the accredidation of the school matter? Could I still sit for the exam if the school isn't accredited but I receive an AAS in their program? I also wonder about how to go about contacting hospitals/clinics to shadow and log hours. Also, are there good publications or books to read in advance or while getting the pre-requisites?

Finally, how many hours of study outside class can I expect? I need to really "sell" my husband that this is a good idea and want to give him a realistic view of how much I am going to be taking on. I know it's only 3 years (1 year for pre-reqs, 2 years for the program), but I feel very strongly about making this happen.

Thanks for any tips or advice!

Universal / Government Run Health Care...

Mark Hopp — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:22:04 GMT

I've been a PT Assistant for 14 years, have a BS in Accounting and soon to have a Nursing Degree. I'm very concerned about the idea of a blanket universal health care and want to keep the same programs and improve those already in place...which has never happened. I'm concerned as a practitioner, as a son, as a citizen of this country. I've researched it and realize that Government run health care or even a "Public Option" (which will only lead to a blanket plan) has many undesirable problems and really doesn't give people "effective" access to health care. I am asking people to mail into their senators and congressmen regarding this. I have typed up a letter for you to print, sign, and mail in to them. Here are 2 websites for you to find out their address:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Normal 0

Do YOU value Your JOB as my representative?

Then Say NO to:

1) Competing Government Health Care or Public Option !

2) Socialized Medicine!

And Say YES to:

1) Medical Tort Reform to stop frivolous lawsuits and maintain our current system!!!

2) Requiring co-pays on all lawsuit patients to reduce the waste & return honesty to the system!!

3) Implement Hospital Pricing Transparency to create competition and reduce costs!

4) Implement programs nationwide to promote health, reduce our Obesity rate (The highest in the world)!!

Obesity has skyrocketed in this country and its killing us both physically and financially. Japan has one of the best health results while spending the least. They have one of the highest percentage of daily smokers and one of the lowest percentages of obesity! We are costing ourselves from eating fatty food and not exercising! We must reduce this first before we waste $trillions on our system. Its not our medical system but our society weight that is the big problem!

We already have Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid! lets work within the programs we already have and make some reform there!!!

Sincerely,