Physical Therapy Professional Interview: Scott Kesterson

Here at My Colleges and Careers, we know that you hang on every word we type, but sometimes when talking about health care you need a second opinion. To give you deeper insight into health care careers, specifically physical therapy, we have enlisted the help of Scott Kesterson, who works at Westlake Physical Therapy in Lehi, UT.

My Colleges and Careers: So what do you do at Westlake Physical Therapy?

Scott Kesterson: I am a physical therapy aide. Being a physical therapy aide is an entry-level position for people who want to get into the industry. When we get a new patient, the physical therapist does an initial evaluation. Sometimes people come in to recover from surgery or to rehabilitate some part of their body that has been injured. Many athletes come into get physical therapy after getting ACL surgery or to manage chronic neck or back pain. After the physical therapist draws up a plan, I show the patient all the different exercises they will be doing. We work on balance, muscle strength and flexibility.

My Colleges and Careers: What made you interested in physical therapy?

Scott Kesterson: I grew up playing sports and had a few injuries myself so I was aware of the field. It is fun to see and help people get better. It’s rewarding to see people get better.

My Colleges and Careers: What different levels of training and certification are involved in the physical therapy field?

Scott Kesterson: Many people start out as aide. The next level is a physical therapy assist (PSA) and they have an associates degree. Then to become a physical therapist, they complete a four-year degree (usually in a health discipline) and then three years of physical therapy school.

My Colleges and Careers: What is your favorite part of the job?

Scott Kesterson: The number one thing I enjoy is that when people are doing physical therapy they are often in our office two or three times a week and you get to build a relationship with them and help them heal their body. It is cool to have come in who can barely walk and by the end they are totally healthy.

My Colleges and Careers: Who has been your favorite patient?

Scott Kesterson: My favorite patient liked to swear. That is all I will say about him but I loved him.

My Colleges and Careers: What are some misconceptions people have about physical therapy or physical therapists in general?

Scott Kesterson: People think it is going to hurt really bad. Most of the time it doesn’t and physical therapists are trying to get your healthy long-term. Some it hurts a little bit in the process but it is always better in the end. For example, if someone gets a serious knee surgery, it is important for them to do physical therapy and stretch it out or they will get tons of scar tissue which will be painful later on.

My Colleges and Careers: What are some personality traits that work well in physical therapy?

Scott Kesterson: Basically it is about being outgoing and enjoying interaction with others. You can see up to fifteen patients a day and if you can’t relate to them and they don’t like to deal with you they will not come back. Being an athlete is common but by no means a requirement.

My Colleges and Careers: After a physical therapist gets their own practice do they still participate in continuing education?

Scott Kesterson: By law, physical therapists must do a certain number of continuing education hours each year. A lot of times they can get these hours from seminars.

My Colleges and Careers: Is any training offered online?

Scott Kesterson: Well to be a physical therapist assistant you have to have your associates degree so there are a lot of general classes you can take online. Taking any health related classes like biology is helpful.

My Colleges and Career: What is something that most people don’t know about physical therapists?

Scott Kesterson: They can specialize in certain types of practice just like a doctor does. There are therapists who specialize in back pain, pre-pregnancy, geriatric, orthopedic, sports medicine and women’s health to name a few.

My Colleges and Careers: Thanks Scott! We wish you the best of luck and we will keep our eye out for you.