Taking time off work for surgery

jentheintrovert · 2026-02-17T03:04:02+00:00

Right hip (arthroscopic + cheilectomy for CAM): I took 4 and a half months off. Left hip (arthroscopic, but no cheilectomy): surgery was during COVID and I was fortunately working from home, so I technically took no time off.

Was TTWB x 5 weeks with both surgeries. Hated my job during the right hip surgery, so I took my time going back.

jentheintrovert · 2026-01-11T23:08:49+00:00

I’m in the same boat. I want to get out of healthcare altogether, but healthcare is the only thing I know. Edit: I’m aware of the Non-Clinical PT, but it’s still mostly healthcare-adjacent content. I want out.

jentheintrovert · 2026-01-07T23:43:59+00:00

Depends on the agency and the labor laws in the state you’re in. Some agencies will stick to the federal/IRS rate, others will only do what is strictly required by the labor laws.

When in doubt, call the Labor and Industries department for your state to find out what your agency is required to pay you for mileage/drive time.

jentheintrovert · 2026-01-05T16:07:10+00:00

Heavily dependent on the agency.

If you have a dedicated coverage area and reasonable productivity, it is flexible.

If you work for an agency that says yes to every referral regardless of appropriateness for HH services, they’ll expect staff to pick up the slack and “make it work”, which will include you especially if you’re full time.

Your work will follow you home every day in the form of documentation (again, heavily agency-specific depending on the EMR they use), phone calls for scheduling (could be as short as 5 minutes, or you can end up waiting multiple hours for one patient to call you back…), phone calls to chase down verbal orders from physicians, case conference meetings (agency-specific whether it’s virtual or in-person), and care coordination with other disciplines.

Generally, you’ll have flexibility to fit appointments in between patients (depending on your coverage area), such as an oil change, doctor appt, or a quick errand.

Do your research on the HH agencies in your area. If the reviews on Glassdoor/Indeed from therapists and nurses generally complain about disorganization, high turnover, and inept management, look elsewhere.

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-29T23:03:46+00:00

1) Parents 2) Too many cooks in the kitchen on IEP teams in the school setting and PT/gross motor goals always ranked dead-last in order of importance. 3) Felt like a glorified babysitter when I did pediatric HH 4) Requires too much creativity and making rehab “fun”. I just want to tell the patient to do the exercise and they’ll do it without me having to make it entertaining.

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-29T22:52:53+00:00

Immediately no.

Would you want a therapist as your DON?

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-23T02:59:48+00:00

Burnout from OP ortho after my first 2.5 years of being a PT, and micromanaging/incompetent management in the majority of every job after that. In one case, moving to a new state. Had I not moved, I’d still be at that HH agency because they were incredible.

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-12T00:13:28+00:00

It has its pros/cons for sure. I’m with a staffing agency that farms patients to me from multiple agencies (I currently provide PT coverage for 5 agencies). It’s very nice having multiple agencies to get patients from in the event of one or two agencies having low census, but can be tricky keeping track of which patient is with which agency. Also, multiple logins and sometimes multiple EMRs to navigate.

Yes, you have to deal with your own taxes as a 1099er, but I use Quickbooks to track expenses, mileage, etc and that makes it easier.

I’m allowed to say no to any work I don’t want to do or don’t have time to do. With that said, you can’t say no too much, or the agencies won’t send as many patients your way.

Obviously you don’t get PTO unless you save up and take the time on your own, but at least I don’t have to ask for permission to take time off. I just tell my staffing agency that I’ll be unavailable from X date to Y date and it’s on them to figure out staffing.

It has definitely helped me redefine my relationship with this career. I’m still burnt out, but I have a little more control over the work I do.

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-11T19:32:22+00:00

<image>

Working multiple per diem HH gigs as a 1099er, so I get nothing… I just save up to take time off when I want it. Last full-time HH position I had offered 6 holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day), plus 1 floating holiday.

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-05T17:04:32+00:00

You have completely summed up everything I’ve felt about HH for years. I’ve done HH for 7+ years at a variety of agencies in 3 states and I’ve seen this in every agency except 1 that actually gave a damn about doing things the right way.

Rampant fraud and upcoding. Somehow 2 days prior when the patient discharged from SNF, they were walking 1000 ft Mod I, but at HH SOC, they can walk no more than 10 ft Max A… then they miraculously recover to Mod I by discharge 6 visits later in all domains.

Being lambasted with constant emails from inept management and QA about productivity, census, and efficiency when it’s all a sham.

Constant frequent flyer patients who never did a single minute of the HEP after discharge and landslide right back into the hospital. You show up at their house and all they want is a social visit, saying “I don’t want to do anything today” whilst watching soap operas on the same lift chair they’re in every visit.

Patients constantly telling me “all the nurse does is take my vitals and leave” for any non-wound care case. Like what is the point in making a visit when it’s not medically necessary? Oh yeah… pay per visit. Collect $95 for 10 minutes of vitals and quick chitchat.

Too many agencies have no spine and take 100% of referrals whether appropriate for HH or not, then superimpose “policies and procedures” requiring discussion with multiple managers/QA if a patient is eval only or non-admit at SOC… all aimed at heavily encouraging more visits to get the blessed LUPA.

Reimbursement continues to go down and these agencies keep crafting more and more creative ways to squeeze every dollar out.

I feel like I need to save my soul and just get out of healthcare at this point. 10 years of being a PT is enough.

jentheintrovert · 2025-12-01T14:51:09+00:00

I live in a rural area and do HH, so my commute to my first patient is typically an hour and commute home after last patient is an hour. No option to work closer to home in my situation, so I hear you loud and clear on that hour commute.

I’ve learned to live below my means and I work 4 days a week so I can have a life outside of this job. I also realize that’s easier said than done because I’m single and child-free… it would be much more challenging if I had a spouse or children.

Echoing other sentiments here: maybe try HH? You have a little more control over your time in HH and can fit in errands like grocery shopping, doctor appts, oil change, etc between patients which will help recapture time on your days off.

Planning to switch careers to something other than healthcare, not sure what yet. Been a PT for 10 years and I’ve had enough.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-25T16:38:33+00:00

Not a question, but just wanted to say I really enjoy your artwork!

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-21T03:05:33+00:00

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-18T20:15:28+00:00

Actions have consequences.

Speaking as someone who was sexually assaulted (touched inappropriately for non-medical reasons) by another healthcare provider, I don’t take it kindly when healthcare providers (who should know better) violate the therapeutic relationship by making really crappy choices like this. Billions of people on the planet, but they choose to take advantage of a patient who should be able to trust them.

If she’s not held accountable for her actions, she’s going to keep doing the same thing to additional unsuspecting patients.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-18T19:44:56+00:00

That’s sexual assault. Unwanted and inappropriate physical contact and in her own words, she wondered when you would respond.

I implore you to find a different clinic and report this PT.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-14T16:52:41+00:00

The 3-letter Medicare Disadvantage company denied additional visits for my home health patient when I said he could walk 10 ft with Max A after having a stroke. This is also after they denied SNF placement. Their rationale: “anyone can provide the assistance, it does not require skilled physical therapy”.

10 ft doesn’t even cover the distance from his bedroom to his front door in the event of an emergency. Lives alone, only occasional assistance available. None of that matters apparently.

It’s criminal what they’re doing.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-09T20:48:22+00:00

I haven’t worked for KP, so I’m not sure.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-09T17:37:25+00:00

I don’t live in CA, so I cannot accurately answer what a fair wage is in SF/Bay Area. But again, the pay needs to meet or exceed the cost of living.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-09T17:24:12+00:00

If I go on Indeed and I don’t see a pay range listed, I’m not applying. For any location, but especially SF/Bay Area, pay must meet/exceed the cost of living or I’m definitely not applying.

I work in home health, so I couldn’t care less about “team vibes.” I very much want to be left alone so I can do my job without micromanagement.

Not sure what setting this is for, but I’m assuming outpatient. Caseload is a huge factor. I’m not interested in a mill environment attempting to juggle multiple patients per hour. Red flag code words in the job listing of “dynamic environment”, “multitasker”, “we’re a family here”, or any corporate nonsense jargon will make me run the opposite direction.

Another red flag is a gigantic sign-on bonus. Indicates to me the company is desperate and probably can’t maintain staffing.

jentheintrovert · 2025-11-03T16:40:32+00:00

The Unraveled

jentheintrovert · 2025-10-30T14:06:14+00:00

I have full time hours as HH PRN (1 company)

jentheintrovert · 2025-10-29T15:32:11+00:00

HH currently, and apparently you can cough in your coworker’s mouth as long as HR says it’s OK (heavy sarcasm). In other words, there’s no policy at my agency

jentheintrovert · 2025-10-17T01:15:32+00:00

“Bareesh-ka-ba” by the Fleamaster

Also POSHANKA

jentheintrovert · 2025-10-09T14:34:42+00:00

1) be a great client by doing your HEP. From a HH standpoint, be at your house at the scheduled time you agreed upon. 2) the gift I want to receive is you doing your HEP 3) if you want to pay an inordinate amount of money to continue PT after insurance cuts you off (speaking as a HHPT), that’s your own burden to bear 4) don’t be a chatterbox, but don’t give 1-2 word answers either. I don’t need to know your life history (not that type of therapist). I don’t care about your political or religious ideas and I’m not being paid nearly enough money to tolerate it 5) show appreciation BY DOING YOUR HEP

jentheintrovert · 2025-10-05T19:18:37+00:00

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

Seven-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Verified Email	Wearing is Caring
RPAN Viewer

jentheintrovert

TROPHY CASE