What does a day in the life of a rehab therapist feel like? Described in Corporate speak:
Completing a rehab appointment is like running a high-energy work meeting where the goals are clear, but the plan changes by the minute.
A single therapy session is exactly like leading an important client meeting. The therapist is the team leader, keeping the appointment on track while staying flexible. Just like a client changing their mind during a presentation, a patient's body changes based on their pain, tiredness, or setbacks that day. The therapist has to adjust the plan on the spot without losing sight of the recovery goal.
The therapist's daily schedule feels like surviving back-to-back presentations. There is rarely a break between appointments. Therapists must jump straight from one person to the next, instantly switching how they talk and coach to fit each client—whether they are helping a young athlete or a grandparent recovering from surgery.
Behind the scenes, the job requires heavy administrative paperwork. Just as a business requires receipts and contracts, a therapist must log every single exercise, pain level, patient response, and translate that into an easy to digest assessment for the client. This detailed charting is required by insurance companies to prove the care is necessary for reimbursement, and therapists have to type these notes while simultaneously cheering on and watching their patients or complete them afterwards. They must also keep track of future appointments and coordinate this with the patient access representatives to ensure as seamless continuity in their care as possible.
Ultimately, managing a full day of patients is pure juggling and multitasking. Therapists have to coordinate equipment, tight schedules, and late arrivals to keep the clinic running smoothly. It is a fast-paced, high-energy environment where medical knowledge meets hands-on customer service every hour of the day.
In-between all the chaos we like to sneak in a little fun.
Last but not least, we are pleased to announce that we have three new Rehab employees Sheri Prom, Andrew Wolak, and Jordan Wolak- welcome!
Sheri has been a wonderful asset joining us from Oregon for the summer to provide great care for the residents in Cook County. She specializes in geriatrics and orthopedics. Andrew and Jordan Wolak started as travelers last year and now have joined as full time NSH employees! They bring a wealth of knowledge with orthopedics, cardiac, sports, and Jordan specializes in pelvic floor therapy. Please welcome them to our community!
-Patrick O’Neil, Director of Rehabilitation