Sarah D Email and Phone Number

Daily productivity consists of treating patients in the acute setting in various services, including neurology, post surgical, cardiopulmonary surgery, liver/lung failure and non-surgical. My supervisor believes that rotating to a new service twice annually can help assist us to be well rounded, knowledgeable therapists and improve our dynamic abilities. Currently participating in the second consecutive rotation participating in part time outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation with post lung transplant patients and part time acute care with chronic pulmonary and liver conditions. Responsible for the party planning committee to organize team building activities and encourage socialization for improved communication. Personally initiated a continuing quality of care initiative with a co-worker to improve our organization and manage time concerning the weekend scheduling.Opportunity to participate in the weekly pulmonary transplant meetings to review possible candidates and represent the physical therapy and movement aspects of their evaluation. Additionally prioritize daily communication to physicians and nurse practitioners with updates or concerns with both in and outpatient treatment sessions.

This skilled nursing and long term care facility expected a higher level of productivity daily along with independence with creating my treatment schedule. It was important to communicate with the therapy aide staff the needs for transportation and assistance with certain patients, while completing most transportation independently due to high demand on the therapy aide team. Primary population consisted of geriatric patients with both orthopedic and neurological deficits, post fractures/falls and surgeries after an acute care stay. Responsibilities also included communication with the primary therapists when reevaluation was appropriate or discharge goals were being met. Expectations for discharge included a complete home exercise program for the assisted living patients that were meeting discharge goals. This required communication with the nursing and nursing assistant staff in implementing the programs with the patients that required assistance. it was also personally important to ensure all caregiver staff were aware of the assistance and safety levels of the patients.

This position also called for high levels of productivity in patient care, requiring optimal time management skills for treatment and documentation. Daily communication was beneficial for improved productivity with nursing staff and patients concerning treatment times. Every patient had specific short and long term goals that focused on improving independence and quality of life.In order to communicate patient progression and plan of care, weekly meetings with co-workers were organized.An expansion of skills and experience occurred during this job, treating a variety of patients with neurological and orthopedic deficits, including post stroke recovery and hip/knee replacement surgery. Prioritization of patient education in order to ensure the patients were able to maintain their level of safety and function post discharge was personally vital. We also prioritized safe discharges, when needed there were organized family education sessions with assistance from the supervisor in contacting family members.

Abington Memorial was the first acute care experience and final clinical upon graduation from a physical therapist assistant degree. The time there was utilized by being exposed to each service in the hospital, treating at the bedside throughout the hospital and the orthopedic and main gyms. The experience of the opportunity to participate and learn therapy with premature infants was memorable, in addition to children and adults. This hospital also organized attendance in multiple joint replacement surgeries and open heart surgery. This clinical helped the understanding of the relevance of lab values and importance of monitoring vitals with activity. The last clinical was memorable since it inspired the passion that has grown within for the acute care setting.

The first clinical after graduation was completed as a full time position in this small outpatient clinic for a month. Presented was the opportunity to continue to learn manual techniques, modality parameters depending on patient needs and improve personalizing plans of care. responsibilities included daily documentation and was assisted by the clinical instructor to improve documentation by focusing on responses to treatment and the reasoning/benefit of each intervention. There was also an increase in the understanding and with increased practice was able to improve with cervical traction skills and other manual therapy techniques to relieve pain, improve comfort levels and decrease functional deficits or limitations.This clinical taught the value of time management, organization, preparing equipment for patient use, proper documentation and safety with patient set up with modalities. By the end of this clinical, there was an increase in personal confidence as a therapist, treating a variety of symptoms and disorders.

First clinical care experience as a PTA student with a supportive PTA mentor and helpful physical therapists within the clinic. Fortunate to work with a variety of patients and assist with dressing/manual techniques and stretching. Also responsible for initially learning and improving documentation skills and carrying out the daily interventions with patients. Clinically learned how to implement cervical and lumbar traction, and was oriented to completing all modalities such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound.This clinical was every Monday all day for one semester. Enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and began to learn how to interact with patients and focus on their goals.