I have a top 10 (really top 4) best job in America

Found this article online earlier this week about top 10 jobs in America.


http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/index.html

I really do enjoy my job and can understand why physical therapists are rated in the top 5. It got me thinking, why do I enjoy my job? Wow, there are so many reasons. You know, I have been a PT since July of 1993. Yes, you read that correctly, 1993. That does make me old, and I'm okay with that. So the question of job satisfaction has to start with, why did I decide to become a PT. Really, it was a decision I made after 2 weeks in college. I had started off with an engineering major at UT. Changed that real quick. I transferred from UT to Ohio University, when I was accepted into the PT program. What led me to that decision? When I was a freshman in high school I watched my sister have a stroke and the recovery she went through. That was where I started to have some interest in watching PT's work with patients to improve their function. During my sophomore and junior years in high school, I injured myself playing football and was treated by a wonderful PT that really sparked my interest in becoming a therapist. I ended up doing volunteer work with him, and watched as he used his expertise and hands on treatment to help people get better. Now after being a PT for all these years, I hope I can mentor high school students to become PT's, like he did for me.

So I have been a PT for a while and the question is, "what is the best part of your job?" I think it is the satisfaction of when a patient or family member comes up to me years after I treated them or their loved one, and thank me for all the work I did to help them. Or when I someone recommends their friend or family member to come see me for their therapy. The trust they must have to recommend me, is extraordinary. I get so much satisfaction from the thank you's it reminds and energizes me to work harder to help more and more people.
I used to joke with a therapist that was a few yeras older than me that he believed he could help everybody that came through the door. Now, I understand what he was talking about. I really find that I can help everyone that comes to see me, sometimes with just encouragement, other times with lots of tough love and hard work.
Now it's time to go back to working on paperwork. (The part of the job I hate. I know that you shouldn't hate, but, I really hate the paperwork) Hopefully, you love what you do, as much as I love doing what I do. Looking back on it, I really wouldn't change much. Make sure you thank those that take care of you (therapists, nurses, physicians, etc.) Sometimes you never know how much it helps keep them going.

Social Media and PT

I recently read a blog from the APTA questioning if I was a social media holdout or addict? http://movingforwardapta.blogspot.com/2010/10/are-you-social-media-addict-or-holdout.html This was more a post to have members compelte a survey about the amount the do or plan on using social meida outlets in their practices. As I read through this post, I wonder what I am? I follow quite a few blogs that are related to PT, politics, wine, cigars (2 of my vices), and small business ideas. I have been trying to do my own blog (this) with poor results. I find I dont have enough time to get this done nearly as often as I would like. Maybe I am spending too much time reading everyone else's blogs. Anyway, I know Hardin Rehab and Wellness will be in the process of starting a website, and possibly a Twitter page. We already have a Facebook page. 'Like' us on Facebook and get updates as we progress into more social media. Hopefully will continue to increase my posting here also.