Injuries and RehabTell us where it hurts! Do a quick search before asking about your shoulder injury to make sure your question hasn't already been answered (about 50 times), and read the sticky post first.
I hope it's okay to post this in this section. I figure more Physical Therapists would hang out here than other forums. Anyway, I'm a seasoned Personal Trainer who moved to San Diego about a year ago and have not been particularly impressed with the health clubs out here (either dumpy, high volume corporate clubs or expensive 'upscale' clubs but no in between). I'm interviewing for a Physical Therapy Aide Position tomorrow and am curious as to what to expect at the interview. I have a fair amount of experience with post rehab and have cross promoted with quite a few Physical Therapists in the past, so I'm confident in my abilities. I'm just worried that I'll have some technical questions thrown at me that I'm not prepared for (i.e. things a trainer wouldn't necessarily have encountered working with post rehab clients). I'm not really sure exactly what a PT Aide does, or if the job description is even standardized or variant from one clinic to the next. Any kind of insight would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance!
It varies from state to state, and practice to practice honestly.
They won't expect you to have a lot of technical knowledge, but will be glad that you have some. The trainer background will be a bonus. They will also likely expect you to clean treatment rooms and put hot packs or ice on people as the therapists indicate. In general you just do whatever the therapist asks you to do. But your exercise knowledge will give you a leg up, but they will likely expect you to follow the exercise programs they lay out, not create any on your own.
But it might be different in California!
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
It varies from state to state, and practice to practice honestly.
They won't expect you to have a lot of technical knowledge, but will be glad that you have some. The trainer background will be a bonus. They will also likely expect you to clean treatment rooms and put hot packs or ice on people as the therapists indicate. In general you just do whatever the therapist asks you to do. But your exercise knowledge will give you a leg up, but they will likely expect you to follow the exercise programs they lay out, not create any on your own.
But it might be different in California!
Thanks Julie! That's pretty much the job description I've found in all the web searches I've done. I think they have a seperate wellness/fitness program that they just recently started, so maybe they'll want to involve me in that. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
Thanks Julie! That's pretty much the job description I've found in all the web searches I've done. I think they have a seperate wellness/fitness program that they just recently started, so maybe they'll want to involve me in that. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
Everything is different in California!
PapaJojo -
You should be a shoe-in at most clinics if you have significant training experience.
Out of curiosity - where are you applying? I'm a San Diego resident and have seen a number of PTs.
You should be a shoe-in at most clinics if you have significant training experience.
Out of curiosity - where are you applying? I'm a San Diego resident and have seen a number of PTs.
-C10
Orthopedic Specialists of North County in Oceanside. I think they also go by Tri-City Orthopedics. Just had the first interview earlier this evening and it went very well. The Aides/Techs there do quite a bit of hands on work with the patients and are even encouraged to make suggestions to the PTs regarding program modification (within reason). There is also some office work (phone calls to awol patients, etc) to mix things up a bit. Most of the Aides have been there for quite a while so I think it's a pretty good work environment. It seemed really upbeat from what I saw. Great bennies too, which will be refreshing considering how crappy mine were working in the Health Club Industry. Anyway, I have to call the Administrator tomorrow to set up the second interview. Hope I can get it in before the weekend so I don't have to wait and wonder.
Orthopedic Specialists of North County in Oceanside. I think they also go by Tri-City Orthopedics. Just had the first interview earlier this evening and it went very well. The Aides/Techs there do quite a bit of hands on work with the patients and are even encouraged to make suggestions to the PTs regarding program modification (within reason). There is also some office work (phone calls to awol patients, etc) to mix things up a bit. Most of the Aides have been there for quite a while so I think it's a pretty good work environment. It seemed really upbeat from what I saw. Great bennies too, which will be refreshing considering how crappy mine were working in the Health Club Industry. Anyway, I have to call the Administrator tomorrow to set up the second interview. Hope I can get it in before the weekend so I don't have to wait and wonder.
Good luck! I've been to Tri-City hospital and was very satisfied with the service. I imagine they have a solid PT center as well.
Just FYI, "CORE Orthopedic" in North County is pretty decent as well. They were looking for aids last time I was there, but it was quite a while ago.
Also, Reece Jensen's clinic in Encinitas is great. If it doesn't work out at Tri-City, consider giving them a call.
Good luck! I've been to Tri-City hospital and was very satisfied with the service. I imagine they have a solid PT center as well.
Just FYI, "CORE Orthopedic" in North County is pretty decent as well. They were looking for aids last time I was there, but it was quite a while ago.
Also, Reece Jensen's clinic in Encinitas is great. If it doesn't work out at Tri-City, consider giving them a call.
-C10
Yeah, it seemed to be run very well from what I saw while I was there. Thanks for the inside info on the other places, I'll definitely check them out if I don't get hired. Encinitas would be a nice area to live/work!
Oops, guess they forgot to mention in the ad that they only hire people with Kinesiology degrees! Oh well, at least I got to put on my favorite shirt and tie (twice) and drive all over San Diego for no reason! Guess I'll try some other PT clinics.
Just curious, but did they want a bachelors or masters in Kinesiology?
Not really sure. At first he said they recently changed their requirements and only hire degreed professionals (Kinesiologists, ATC's, etc). Then he said that my competition for the job was pretty stiff (people with the above credentials) due to the economy but if it were any other time I would probably have a good shot. I think people out here want to stay in the area badly enough that they will take lower paying jobs/jobs they're overqualified for. I also think the company may be wanting to use overqualified Aides/Techs instead of PTA's..and pay them a little less. I only say that because they don't us PTAs, and they pay their Aides/Techs a little more than average.
That's interesting. Around here, (I live in NJ), you can become a PTA by taking courses at a community college and getting an associate's degree. That's why I thought it was strange the place you interviewed at told you they only hire people with Kinesiology degrees. But as you said, maybe overqualified people are taking the jobs.
That's interesting. Around here, (I live in NJ), you can become a PTA by taking courses at a community college and getting an associate's degree. That's why I thought it was strange the place you interviewed at told you they only hire people with Kinesiology degrees. But as you said, maybe overqualified people are taking the jobs.
It's the same way here, and most places. I didn't apply for a PTA job though, it was an Aide/Tech job, which is a pretty common step for Certified Personal Trainers to take. Just happens there were a few 'overqualified' applicants who probably were happy just to find work.
That's interesting. Around here, (I live in NJ), you can become a PTA by taking courses at a community college and getting an associate's degree. That's why I thought it was strange the place you interviewed at told you they only hire people with Kinesiology degrees. But as you said, maybe overqualified people are taking the jobs.
I just re-read and I think I know what you mean. Why would they want a bachelors for an aide/tech position when PTA don't even have that much schooling? Yeah, that is kind of strange. They don't use PTAs though, so that could be why. They pay their aides about midway between what other places in the area pay aides and PTAs, so it's kind of a compromise it seems.
I've never heard of an aide needing a degree in a related field. This is usually the bottom rung in the ladder of PT, and doesn't require a lot of techinical work AND inteventions. Here in WI, a degree is not necessary for an aide's position.
Question About Physical Therapy Aide Jobs...
! Guess I'll try some other PT clinics.
Linear Mode
