| The following are 10 tips that you can learn and | | | | Not only will you learn something that will save |
| apply in the clinical setting as a Physical Therapist | | | | you some time but it helps build that mutual |
| Assistant. Having the responsibility of improving | | | | respect with your patient. |
| someones life not only physically but mentally has | | | | 7. Be Empathic: This might be the most important |
| a big price tag on it. To be more then just your | | | | trait of all. Someone once said " No one cares |
| average clinician you should find a place in your | | | | how much you know until they know how much |
| career for them. | | | | you care." This very true. Again all the book |
| 1. Be Passionate: Having a passion for the field of | | | | knowledge in the world will not help you with the |
| physical therapy is a must. Without passion you | | | | respect and cooperation from the patient if you |
| are just plodding along. The lack of passion will | | | | do not show and demonstrate that you care |
| show not only in areas like your tone of voice and | | | | about their well-being. If you show and tour |
| body language but, in your work as a whole. Your | | | | actions are percieved that you care about what |
| patient has been through enough down time | | | | they may be going through, you will find the |
| already they are looking for someone that has | | | | patient willing to work with you in difficult |
| skip in their walk and enjoys their work. Having | | | | situations and you build a better bond between |
| passion will show in everything you do and it will | | | | you both. |
| show to everyone. be glad your there. | | | | 8. Never Stop Learning: Always be willing to |
| 2. Be a Motivator: Motivation I have found plays a | | | | continue reading in your area that you specialize in. |
| big part in the game of rehabilitation. Most patients | | | | Once you stop reading and learning you begin to |
| will not be someone that is internally motivated, | | | | regress. This is the reason behind some of the |
| many are externally motivated. Keeping your | | | | continuing education requirements in most states. |
| patient interested in their rehabilitation can be | | | | You will never learn it all however. By reading you |
| tough but with some encouragement and skill you | | | | stay ahead of the average Therapist that is not |
| can usually get the patient to participate in the | | | | reading and you continue to hone your skill. By |
| program. Of course there will always be those | | | | continuing to read you are giving your patients the |
| that nothing will get them to follow along. Some | | | | best possible care you can by staying up on new |
| will be lost and you will not get them back. | | | | trends and rehabilitation tools that can be utilized in |
| 3. Have a Get it Done Attitude: you will find days | | | | their recovery. |
| that you will feel you are being stretched beyond | | | | 9. Be Dependable: Many people will be counting on |
| your means and capabilities. Having an attitude of | | | | you to come through for them. This includes not |
| defeat will not suffice here. In time you will learn | | | | only fellow workers but, your patients. When you |
| how to exceed your limits. Your co-workers and | | | | say you are going to do something then do it. If |
| patients will be counting on you and no one will be | | | | you are going to try reaserch a new treatment |
| coming to the rescue. Insist upon yourself that | | | | protocol and the patient is expecting some |
| you can accomplish whatever is laid before you | | | | feedback then deliver it . Nothing will hurt your |
| when it comes to having to multi-task and you will | | | | reputation more in the clinic then not being able to |
| succeed. | | | | be counted on. In the world of Physical Therapy |
| 4. Be Competent: This go without saying that | | | | word gets around fast. It is a small world and if |
| being a competent clinician helps. Being competent | | | | you are nothing more then show then that will be |
| means not only in your profession but, but having | | | | the reputation you will get. You do not want to |
| the knowledge and skillset to be able to think out | | | | go that route. Say it and then do it! |
| problems and how to solve them. Most of the | | | | 10. Be Good at Time Management: Keeping track |
| encounters that you will come up aganist out in | | | | of your time and being efficient is vital in any |
| the field will be situations that necessarily were | | | | clinical setting. Everyone will be busy, you will learn |
| not in your textbooks. Becoming fully competent | | | | how to manage time or you will get buried and |
| will only come with real world work experience | | | | become ineffective. Poor time management skills |
| and in time you will learn how to handle these | | | | will reflect in other parts of your life as well. Your |
| unforseen situations. | | | | patients though they will not say it will expect you |
| 5. Have A Friendly Personality: Getting along not | | | | to be precise in your time. If you are not advise |
| only with your patients but with your co-workers | | | | them beforehand that is the way to properly |
| will be essential. Having all the knowledge in the | | | | handle your patient. Most people will understand |
| world but not being able to share it with people or | | | | that there are emergencies in life but a simple |
| have the people skills on how to present it is a | | | | phone call or stopping by their room to let them |
| lost cause. As the old saying goes "you get more | | | | know will let the patient know you respect them |
| with honey then you do with vinegar" is true. | | | | enough to keep them abreast of your schedule. |
| Present yourself with a smile an expression that | | | | Your co-workers will appreciate it also. |
| says I'am here to help. | | | | There you have it. 10 of the most important skills |
| 6. Be A Good Listener: knowing how to listen has | | | | to take with you once you leave school and enter |
| become a lost art. You will be surprised what you | | | | the workforce. This list is not the holy grail there |
| can learn from your patient if you will give them a | | | | are many other traits and skills that are important |
| few minutes of your time and hear them out. I | | | | and that could be added as well. Take them read |
| have been enlightend many times with information | | | | them over and modify them if you wish then, |
| that proved valuable after listening to the patient | | | | make it a point to practice them each and every |
| before I began to dictate what I was going to do. | | | | day and you will then be a success in your career. |