Her Story
About Angela
I've been in the healthcare field for 20 years, and in my current role at my facility for the past 6 years as Director of Rehab and Physical Therapist Assistant. I split my time equally between management and patient care, doing 50% of each. My main responsibilities include scheduling for my staff, participating in morning meetings with the nursing staff, and working directly with patients. Before this position, I worked at another nursing home doing similar work as director of rehab, assistant director of rehab, and physical therapist assistant. Even earlier in my career, I worked at Kmart where I did pretty much everything from cashier to electronics to customer service. I earned my Associate's degree from Delaware Tech in Wilmington, which is all that's required for physical therapy assistants. Interestingly, I fell into director roles quite early in my career because I just don't like to see anything fail, so I kind of step into it no matter where I'm at. What I'm most proud of professionally isn't any specific award or achievement, but rather getting my patients back on their feet and seeing them happy and proud of themselves. That's what makes me proud of my profession. We even have patients who come back to the facility specifically because our therapy department makes a difference in their lives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Angela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to just never trying to let the ball drop. I take every patient, and I just want to see them succeed. No matter how difficult they may seem, no matter how challenging, I just want to try to make even the slightest advancement. Even if it doesn't mean they're going to be walking down the street, I want to see at least some slight improvements. It's that drive and push. If the families see it, that's what matters to me. I just don't like to see anything fail, so I kind of step into leadership roles no matter where I'm at.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up, because it can be tough. You're going to face difficult situations, like patients who are angry, don't want to be there, or who leave against medical advice. But we have to educate, encourage, and do our best. We give them the education and the knowledge, and if they choose not to participate, then they choose not to. At least we've done our part to give them the knowledge, and how they take the knowledge and partake in it is up to them. I tell all my therapists that patients have the right to fail. It is hard, and we don't want to see anybody fail, but they have the right to fail and make their own choices. They are grown-ups and adults, and all we can do is give them the help, the home health resources and the knowledge that we can give them, and the right equipment. If they choose to use it, they choose to use it.
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