If you’re a new therapist, orthopedics is a great place to start. For the most part, bones are straightforward and predictable. Charting For this service, it is important to pay special attention to: Precautions Weightbearing status Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels Pain Treatment Give special attention to premedication for pain. Pain medications should be administered 30 min to 1 hour before therapy. Check orthostatic blood pressure readings, SPO2, and heart rate.
For those trying to break into acute care: Try to emphasize the skills you have that apply to acute care: the acuity of patients you’ve seen, lines you’ve managed, patient population, working with a medical team, any internships or volunteer experience you’ve had in acute care, and any continuing education courses you’ve taken. In many OT schools, they recommend you ask about mentoring opportunities to show your commitment to growth.
After applying for per diem hospital jobs for a solid year, I FINALLY got hired! This particular hospital was a county hospital in a neighborhood notorious for crime and violence. Let me mention, I grew up in a upper middle class, very safe neighborhood. As my coworker put it, me starting this job was like putting a puppy in an alligator den. The VERY FIRST patient I had on the very first day was a man who was shot multiple times in a liquor store.
In spring of 2023 I gave birth to my first child. It was a beautiful experience but also harrowing as I had a very dangerous form of preclampsia and needed an emergent induction. I was at risk of organ damage, seizures and hemorrhage. Working at the hospital, you would think I would be comfortable being admitted as I knew the general ebb and flow, knew some medical terminology and medicines, walked a similar hallway 5 days a week.
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