- Published: September 11, 2022
- Updated: September 11, 2022
- University / College: University of Strathclyde
- Language: English
- Downloads: 10
John Cook is a rehabilitation expert with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy. He graduated from De LaSalle University with flying colors last school year 2011-2012. He lives in Singapore and he currently works as a Senior Physical Therapist at Sing health Hospital. My interview with him was focused on different questions regarding his job, particularly the things that he likes and dislikes about it.
1. What did you like about your Job
I actually did not have the chance to choose my own career path. It was my parents who insisted that I take a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy. After 5 years of hard work, I graduated. It was during my internship year that I realized how the job of a rehabilitation specialist is so compatible with my personality. What I liked the most about my job is the way how I am always subjected to varying levels of stress and pressure. Normally, people do not want to be exposed to high levels of stress and pressure. In my experience, these two helped me a lot. Before I was so unproductive that I could not finish anything. Now, all I have to remember is that I have a lot of patient goals to accomplish and that’s when I start to feel pumped up. Another good thing about my job is that it allows me to interact with my clients in a very different way. I get to know more who they really are and what they usually do at home and at work because it’s our job as a Physical Therapist to assess every tiny detail about the client’s life. That’s where I got the sense that I and my client can be very connected. In a way, I think that feeling helped me guide them towards the achievement of their treatment goals.
2. What did you not like about your Job?
I have no negative psychosocial issues with regards to my job. It is my passion to help people return to their premorbid status. In fact, even the slightest improvement with their range of motion can already put a smile on my face that would last for the rest of the day. The only thing about my job that concerns me the most is the salary range not only in the hospital where I work but also in other hospitals that hire Physical Therapists like me. We only receive a monthly salary that is slightly higher than the minimum wage in the country. I personally think that that is unfair considering the level of effort that we exert and the stress we are subjected to everyday. Other than this, I do not have any concerns about my job.
3. Can you describe to me the things that you do in a Physical Day?
Sure. First, I arrive at the hospital’s rehabilitation department at 8 am sharp. I always make sure that I log before and after every shift because that’s where they base your attendance, and ultimately, your salary deductions should you have any. After I log in, that’s when I start to wait for my first patient for that day. I always make sure that all Physical Therapy Electro and Hydro Modalities are prepared even before the first patient arrives around 9. After treating one patient, I immediately go on to the next. Sometimes I do engage in what they refer to as multi-tasking when there are really a lot of patients. The cycle goes on until the end of the day. Before me finally clinic at 5 in the afternoon, I make sure that my cubicle is neat and clean. That’s when I go home and rest.