Partners in Physical Therapy
3221 Ryan Street Suite D. Lake Charles, LA 70601
337-439-3344 phone
337-439-3380 fax
www.partnersinphysicaltherapy.com
Dear ___________________,
We would like to welcome you to our practice. We hope that your experience with our clinic will not only be informative, challenging, exciting, but also fun. We understand that you are in your final steps heading toward graduation and how important these clinical experiences are in helping you put together academics with real world situations and also in preparing you for a lifelong career in our wonderful profession.
We are excited to be a part of this process and look forward to your time with us. Please see attached information for a brief overview of the following (please note: term employee also refers to student interns and volunteers):
· What to wear
· Code of Behavior
· Schedule
· Hours
· Material to review
· Type of patients
· PT/CI information
· Other opportunities
· Facilities
· Housing options
· Local city information
· Next information to come
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Freddie Ann Regan, PT
INFORMATION PRIOR TO ARRIVAL:
· What to wear
It is the policy of Partners in Physical Therapy that all employees should dress in a manner that presents a professional appearance. Business casual, approved scrubs and monogrammed polo shirts are acceptable. Pants colors may include kaki, black, brown and navy blue.
The following types of attire will not be considered acceptable:
Blue jeans;
Shorts;
Bare midriff, halter or shoulderless tops; muscle shirts; worn or distressed T-shirts.
Facial or tongue piercing worn while at work;
Tattoos should be covered by clothing.
Any employee determined by a supervisor to be dressed inappropriately will be asked to leave the premises and return after changing into appropriate attire.
Employees work in very close proximity to patients, therefore, Partners in Physical Therapy adheres to a “no scent” policy requiring employees to be sensitive to the use of heavy perfumes or colognes; to not smell of cigarette smoke; and maintain personal hygiene.
· Code of Behavior:
It is the policy of Partners in Physical Therapy that all employees of Partners in Physical Therapy shall conduct themselves in a professional, courteous manner at all times when present on Partners in Physical Therapy property.
It is expected that all employees of Partners in Physical Therapy offer friendly, courteous and confidential assistance to every patient and/or family member of Partners in Physical Therapy to ensure that the patient has a positive experience.
It is expected that all employees of Partners in Physical Therapy express a courteous and professional manner when dealing with referral sources, third party payor representatives, managed care organization representatives, HMO representatives and any others whom may be considered professional contacts.
Further, it is expected that clinical employees of Partners in Physical Therapy shall conduct themselves according to the Guide for Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics for their discipline as contained in the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice (APTA) or ASHA Desk Reference.
No employee shall enter Partners in Physical Therapy while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and doing so may be grounds for immediate termination.
No employee shall smoke cigarettes or cigars, or use any other tobacco product, within the physical confines of Partners in Physical Therapy.
No employee shall bring a gun, knife or any other weapon on Partners in Physical Therapy property. Doing so is grounds for immediate dismissal.
Partners in Physical Therapy provides a refrigerator and microwave for the convenience of its employees. Each employee is responsible for cleaning and maintaining this area. Employees are discouraged from eating and/or drinking beverages in treatment areas or areas of patient exposure.
Employees are expected to arrive at work with enough time to be at their assigned duties on behalf of Partners in Physical Therapy by the scheduled start time.
Partners in Physical Therapy will provide each employee with the necessary equipment required to perform the duties of that employee’s job. None of this equipment is to be removed from Partners in Physical Therapy property, unless specifically approved by employee supervisor or the job duties require employee to use company equipment outside the physical facility of Partners in Physical Therapy.
It is the policy of Partners in Physical Therapy that no extra programs shall be installed on a company computer without the express written permission of employee’s supervisor. The copying of programs installed on company computers is not allowed. Computers are for the express purpose of business related activities. Personal use is not permitted.
The telephone lines at Partners in Physical Therapy are installed for business use only and to service the patients and referral sources of Partners in Physical Therapy. Employees are discouraged from using business phones for personal use. No personal long distance calls are to be made on company telephone lines.
The use of printers; copy machines; fax machine, and postage machine is not permitted unless with the approval and permission of the supervisor/owner.
The use of a personal cellular telephone is discouraged from use during regular business hours. If the cell phone must be turned on during business hours, all ringers or other cell phone “sounds” must be kept on silence or muted. Under no circumstance is it acceptable for staff of Partners in Physical Therapy be on a cell phone will treating or attending a patient.
· Holiday work Schedule and days off
For students with the internship of 5 months, you are allowed up to 5 days off during your internship. All students are required to come to the clinic daily and stay for a full work day until all daily activities are completed. This includes time needed for paperwork and other projects.
If you have to miss work for sickness or other emergency, these days absent will count towards your five days allowed off. If you are going to specifically request days off, these need to be submitted in writing to your CI at least 2 weeks prior for approval. Forms can be found in your orientation binder.
For other students with no allowable days off during shorter internships, all students are expected to have a perfect attendance record.
If your internship falls on a holiday or a day that the office is closed, you will follow the same schedule as all other professional employees.
Partners in Physical Therapy recognizes the following holidays:
New Year’s Day (January 1)
Good Friday
Mardi Gras day
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day (September)
Thanksgiving (Thursday – Friday)
Christmas Day (December 25)
***Management may elect to add other special holidays or delete any of them.
· Hours
The office is typically open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 6PM and closed for Lunch from 12PM to 1PM. However, as needed the office stays open until 7PM.
The physical therapists are flexible with their hours and work 8-5, 9-6, or 10-7 as needed. All students will be asked to work with their CI’s schedule and utilize time needed to complete all assignments.
· Material to review
We do not require that you review any particular information prior to starting your internship. Nor do we require you to choose specific treatment techniques that are unique to our facility and therapists. However, we do require that all students come into the practice with an open mind and a willingness to learn and ask questions. We also require creative and critical thinking in the preparation and implementation of patient evaluation, monitoring and treatment.
In response to student interest, we are including a list of topics that students may find helpful regarding commonly used techniques and treatment philosophies in our facility. Note: we do not exclusively follow a particular technique or philosophy, but we place a strong emphasis on continuing education and evidence based medicine in order to serve our patients with the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment possible for their individual needs. Please see our website for further information on some of the listed topics/organizations:
International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM)
Spine related pain and conditions
Chronic pain
Manual therapy
Core stabilization
Functional Manual Therapy
John Barnes: Myofascial release
McKenzie Technique
· Type of patients
Partners in Physical Therapy is an outpatient orthopedic clinic with a wide variety of patients from pediatrics to geriatrics. The primary patient population are those patients with complaints of spine related disorders/impairments. On evaluation, we focus on differential diagnosis and development of a comprehensive treatment approach designed to alleviate current s/s, educate the patient, and make attempts to reduce chronicity of pain.
This means that patients walk into our clinic and can expect a thorough evaluation asking the question, what is causing the problem? What are we going to do together to address the problem and what can I do in the future to keep the problem from returning? Only when all three areas are addressed do we feel that we have successfully treated a patient.
For the pediatric population we treat orthopedic as well as neurological deficits and developmental delays. This includes a wide spectrum of diagnosis and may include autism, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, motor coordination problems, mental retardation, sensory processing difficulties, or even difficulty focusing in school.
In addition to the above listed patients we also see individuals with complaints of sports related injury, post operative conditions, vestibular issues, balance and coordination complaints, lymphedema, etc…
· PT/CI information
Freddie Ann Regan PT, Business Owner
Physical Therapist
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Private Practice Section Member
International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM)
Contact Information:
Over 30 years experience with strong roots in pediatric therapy especially relating to developmental disabilities and autism as well as self injurious behavior in mentally retarded adults. LSU graduate and 2007 delegate to Russia to help establish development of programs for the disabled.
Strong interest in myofascial pain and overall functional movement patterns.
Freddie Ann is currently working towards completing certification for the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine manual therapy for the spine. She is also an APTA certified Clinical Instructor.
Awards: Research award from American association for mental retardation.
Lauren Gilley PT, DPT, Physical Therapist
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM)
Contact Information:
Returned to her home town after completing her education at Emory University.
Current interests include sports management and injury prevention in athletes.
Lauren is also on track for manual therapy certification from the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine for manual therapy of the upper extremity. She is also an APTA certified Clinical Instructor.
Kathryn "Katie" Brittain PT, DPT, CLT, Physical Therapist
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Orthopedic Section Member
International Association of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM)
Contact Information:
Katie is a 2005 Duke University graduate currently working both in Lake Charles, LA and in Houston, TX. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) and like the other PTs, she is progressing towards IAOM manual therapy certification for the spine. Lastly, Katie is in graduate school for a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Texas Women's University.
Awards: Duke University outstanding student award for academic, leadership, and research achievements.
Other interests: biomechanical effects on pain and long term success of physical therapy intervention. Katie has a love for biomechanics and anatomy. She also has a special interest in long term outcomes of spine related pain both addressed conservatively as well as with interventional pain management and surgery.
· Other opportunities
We have a close working relationship with several physicians in Lake Charles. If you are interested in observing neurosurgery or spending time with a pain management MD, please let us know.
· Explain facility with beds, equipment, kitchen
We are a 3000 sq. foot facility with 3 private rooms, 4 areas with curtains, 2 pediatric rooms, and 2 gym areas with the following equipment (Pilates reformer, airdyne, recumbent bike, treadmill, Bosu balls, swiss balls, fitter first equipment, 3 flexion/distraction tables, rebounder, balance training devices, traction for cervical and lumbar, pediatric swing, and an ATM2).
Modality equipment on site: Erchonia laser, biofeedback machine, interex, US, E-stim, iontophoresis, and 3 percussion devices).
We have a small kitchen space with refrigerator, microwave, sink, and toaster oven. We also have access to a full kitchen in the neighboring office space.
· Housing options
There are several apartment complexes that offer from three to six month leasing options. While these sites vary in location and price, there may be opportunity for students to rent a room or live with a local family and/or Partners in Physical Therapy staff member. Please contact Erin MacInnes at 337-439-3344 should you be interested in the “roommate” option.
Acadian Oaks 337-477-8886
One bedroom; one bath; not furnished; renter to set up and pay for water, electric and gas;
3 (add extra $75/mo.) & 6 month leasing options
Prices range from $565 to $590 a month
Corporate Housing 337-439-3322
One bedroom; one bath; fully furnished; utilities
and internet paid; washer and dryer in apartment.
Contact needs to be made 30 days out from the
desired occupation date in order to secure
apartment.
Month to month leasing available.
Prices range from $2000 to $2500 a month.
Chennault Rentals 337-433-5446
One bedroom; one bath; not furnished; renter to pay water; would have to set
up electricity; requires a background by the sheriffs department of the area in
which the student has previously resided;
Month to month leasing available.
Price was quoted at $450 a month.
Cypress Apartments 337-474-5403
One bedroom; one bath; unfurnished; water, trash and sewer paid; on site laundry.
3 & 13 months leasing options available.
Price was quoted at $400 a month.
Paulme Chalet 337-480-1234
Two bedroom; one bath; unfurnished; water, sewage and trash paid; laundry facility on site.
Month to month leasing available.
Price was quoted at $650 a month.
Carls Rentals 337-478-7464
Basic Rental Package $135 a month
1 sofa and love seat
1 full sized bed
1 end table and lamp
1 coffee table and chest
1 night stand
1 dinette with 4 chairs
http://www.carls-rentals.com/Basic_Package.php
Other resources:
Southwest Louisiana Apartment Association
337-474-4242
· Local info/city/restaurant info
Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.visitlakecharles.org/
The Times of Southwest Louisiana
http://www.timessw.com/
American Press Newspaper
http://www.americanpress.com/indexTrue.shtml
Official Louisiana Tour Guide
http://www.louisianatravel.com/
· Next information to come
1. Orientation schedule
2. Information on computer documentation system