Born in Fairview Tennessee, Mr. Parker received his bachelor’s in science degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Mr. Ken Parker works in West Kentucky Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Interestingly enough, after 9 years as a Physical Therapist he switched to a Physician's Assistant. He went to SIU (Southern Indiana University) to receive his degree in 2004. Before this interview I even shadowed him back in the spring of 2016 and from those couple of days of shadowing him I learned a lot about the experiences and “day in the life” as a PA. Mr. Parkers prior occupations led to his ability to be a strong communicator, have strong work values, and teamwork when working with his other employees/colleagues.
…show more content…
He even further elaborated that because of this extensive shadowing one can find out what they truly want, whether it’s to become an orthopaedic PA or something completely opposite. Also on a side note he did say that there is a requirement for a specific number of hours of shadowing to be accepted into a PA graduate program.
What Mr. Parker told me was the most challenging aspect of his job was a little different than what I had previously expected. I figured it was something related to the obvious long hours, the schooling beforehand, or etc. Contrasting to what I thought it was actually the characteristic of communicating to the patient and making sure they understand every detail of information.
Mr. Parker referred back to his change from PT to PA when I asked him where he saw himself in 5-10 years and also has he given thought to furthering his education and possibly starting his own practice/institution. He basically said that anything can change such as his decision to change careers, this has some interesting implications that I have given thought to. That is, essentially even if I am in a career there’s ways to change and it is never too late to figure out what I want to
He even further elaborated that because of this extensive shadowing one can find out what they truly want, whether it’s to become an orthopaedic PA or something completely opposite. Also on a side note he did say that there is a requirement for a specific number of hours of shadowing to be accepted into a PA graduate program.
What Mr. Parker told me was the most challenging aspect of his job was a little different than what I had previously expected. I figured it was something related to the obvious long hours, the schooling beforehand, or etc. Contrasting to what I thought it was actually the characteristic of communicating to the patient and making sure they understand every detail of information.
Mr. Parker referred back to his change from PT to PA when I asked him where he saw himself in 5-10 years and also has he given thought to furthering his education and possibly starting his own practice/institution. He basically said that anything can change such as his decision to change careers, this has some interesting implications that I have given thought to. That is, essentially even if I am in a career there’s ways to change and it is never too late to figure out what I want to