Teo Celestino

Interview Plan
Communications 1010-003
11/5/2014

Background Information
My Interviewee:
Im planning to interview Margaret Williams. She works at Avalon West Health and
Rehab as a speech and language therapist (SLP) .I will conduct the interview at the therapy gym
of Avalon West Health and Rehab. It will be better for her because she will be taking a short
break in treating patients to accommodate me with the interview. It will also be a good exposure
for me to see her working environment. I chose to interview Margaret because I heard many
good things about her towards work ethics and how a hard worker she is. She is a good role
model. Please note: I intend to ask her a couple of questions per topic that I chose. I will make
the questions as open questions to derive more information from her and to ask her to expound
further on the topic if I feel I need to get more information.
Career Research:
Me and my family migrated to United States because of work. My wife is a licensed
physical therapist. Her company offered her a job here in United States and can bring her spouse
and children. Back in the Philippines, being a physical therapist is not as stable in terms of work
like here in America. So she, being involved in the medical field, I was exposed to other careers
associated with the medical field like the different disciplines in therapy and nursing.
Being a therapist seems to be a rewarding career not only in terms of job security, but the
satisfaction that you have helped someone get their body functions heal and eventually restore
mobility. That seems to be a very ideal career path to pursue. I understand that the therapist has
the ability to travel from place to place for therapy work. I am sure that being a therapist is as
stable job because all the therapist that I met have good lives.
Based on my research to become a speech therapist for example, is that first they
have to complete an undergraduate program, earn a graduate degree, pass licensure and obtain a
masters degree before being able to practice being a therapist. I also learned that a therapist can
pursue being a specialist in their chosen field in therapy. I have known that the average starting
annual salary of therapist starts with $55,000. I chose to go to to SLCC because I heard that
SLCC has a very good program for therapist. I have checked job openings for therapist and
found out that there is a big need for therapist and projection shows that it will increase in the
future.
I like to share a mission statement that I came across from The American Occupational
Occupational (AOTA), The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality,
availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy,
education, and research on behalf of its members and the public.

Interview Schedule
Opening:
I would like to thank you for granting me this interview. I know you are very busy. I
appreciate that you found time for me despite your hectic schedule. I heard a lot of good things
about you, especially on your work ethics and your dedication towards work.
The purpose of this meeting is to interview you on some aspects of being a therapist. Its
an assignment for my communication class and this will give me more education in my future
chosen field. I will be asking you some questions about job opportunities of therapist, mobility
and stresses of being a therapist. I will be writing some notes while you while you talk. This
should take about half an hour, maybe less because I know you are very busy. Is it ok if we start
now?
Body:
Topic 1: Job Opportunities for Therapist
My first question is about job opportunities here in Utah for therapist.
1. Is there a lot of job opportunities for therapist here in Utah? (Primary, Open)
-What makes the demand for therapist jobs? (Secondary, Open)
2. Are there job opportunities in remote areas or is it just for city based? (Primary, Open)
-Is the pay higher if the job offer is in a remote area? (Secondary, Open)
-Is the job more challenging for remote based setting? (Secondary, Open)
-Would you accept a job offer in a remote area if the pay is higher? (Secondary, Open)
3. What are the differences, if any, for remote based versus city based job opportunity?
(Primary, Open)
4. What are the requirements in applying for a job as a therapist? (Primary, Open)
-Is it the same for therapist with various disciplines? (Secondary, Open)

Topic 2: Mobility in Therapist Job

My next question is about mobility in being a therapist.
1. Being a therapist, is this job allowing you to travel to different places for therapy work?
(Primary, Open)
-Is there a therapist job that makes you travel from one place to another with no specific
time period? (Secondary, Open)
2. How long typically a traveling therapist stay in one place before going to the next? (Primary,
Open)
-What are the disadvantages and advantages of being a traveling therapist? (Secondary,
Open)
- Is the pay higher for traveling therapist? (Secondary, Open)
-Are the benefits the same for traveling therapist compared to a permanent stay therapist?
(Secondary, Open)
3. Would a traveling therapist be ideal if you have kids? (Primary, Open)

Topic 3: Stress involved in being a Therapist

My final topic that I like to ask you is about Stress in being a therapist.
1. Does stress exist in being a therapist? (Primary, Closed)
-What are the stresses of being a therapist? (Secondary, Open)
-Can you give me some examples of the kind stress that you normally encounter?
(Secondary, Open)
2. How do you manage the stress? (Primary, Open)
-Is there a time that you almost broke down because of the stress? (Secondary, Open)
Clearinghouse questions: The interviewees turn
1. Did I miss anything important to ask you on the topics that we discussed today? (Primary,
Open)

Closing
Thats all the questions that I have prepared to ask you. Thank you very much for
accommodating me for this interview. Thank you for educating me in some aspects of being a
therapist. It will help me decide on what discipline of therapy I will pursue. You have answered
my questions clearly and thank you for your help.
To conclude, I will be asking you to fill out my evaluation form that is needed to
complete this interview assignment. You can be completely honest in the evaluation form
because it wont affect my grade if you gave a bad comment. Please be honest on areas I need to
improve on, so I can work on it and be a better next time. If possible, I will come back tomorrow
to pick the evaluation report.
Thanks again and nice talking to you. (Handshake) Good bye.

Teo Celestino
Interview Project
Communication 1010-003
11/6/2014

Interview Analysis Memo

Date: November 5, 2014
TO: Professor Wayne C. Hackett
FROM: Teo Celestino
SUBJECT: Interview Analysis Memo, COMM 1010-003

I was lucky to interview a Speech and Language Therapist (SLP) from Avalon West Health and
Rehab in Salt Lake City. She was highly recommended by the staff of the building. I introduced
myself and requested an appointment for the interview.
I decided to pursue a career in being a therapist but still not sure on what kind of therapist. I
chose to interview the therapist that was highly recommended by Avalon West Health and
Rehab. I was leaning towards a different discipline of therapy, but decided to interview a speech
and language therapist to get an idea from her their perspective. Its a good chance for me to
weigh facts and ultimately decide.
This memo will manifest what I learned in conducting an interview.
Summary of Lessons Learned
Job Opportunities for Therapist
Margaret said that there are a lot of therapist job opportunities here in Utah. In fact, its in
demand right now, especially for physical, occupational and speech therapist because of the
increasing demand for this type of services. She particularly mentioned the baby boomers
population from 1945 to 1960 will be retiring, so as they retire, they will need all the services of
the therapist. That is why the availability and the need for services is increasing. Not to mention
in todays lifestyle where people have a more active lifestyle and often require therapy services.
She mentioned that there is also a high demand of therapy in rural areas and there are also job
opportunities in rural areas. With her expertise as a speech and language therapist, they are
addressing the issue by experimenting in Skyping for therapy and other web based programs.
That is why the University of Utah has started a program for this approach. Sadly, there are only
a few companies that provide therapy services in rural areas because of the business aspect and
the availability of therapist willing to be relocated in rural areas. Metropolitan based therapy jobs
are higher than in rural areas. The salary still varies with the company that provide therapy
services. The pay could be higher if the company is rural based. It will be more challenging for
the therapist to work in a rural area if he or she is used living in the metropolitan area. The
hospital or nursing facility may not be as modern in terms of equipment unlike those present on

metropolitan based. She said that she would accept the job in a rural setting but it has to have
more skill challenge and good quality support from the company.
Margaret said in order to land a job as a therapist there are requirements. It varies on the therapist
type, on her case the applicant should have a speech therapy degree. They have to complete a
clinical fellowship year and has to be under the supervision of a certified speech therapist. They
would also need a Masters degree to be able to satisfy the requirements for the job.
Margaret has helped me understand the demand and some of the challenges of being a therapist.
It looks very challenging and very encouraging that there will be a job waiting for me out there
when I finish school.
Mobility in Therapy Jobs
In terms of mobility in this job, Margaret mentioned that this job can be a permanent setting
based or it can be a mobile job if chosen. If needed somewhere else, then he or she can travel if
they wish to. There is a specific therapy job that travels and performs therapy services for a short
of period of time and move on to another place to do the same, its called a travelling therapist.
The company hires them to perform this job with a designated period of time. Often travelling
therapist receive housing benefits, stipend and such. The time period varies from 2 months to a
year.
The advantage of being a permanent based therapist is that you can build strong rapport with cotherapist and develop good teamwork. It is cheaper because the therapist does not need to travel
long distances. It has a better relationship with the facility that was developed over time. Facility
meaning not only the rehab team, but the nursing team and other departments within the facility.
The advantage of being a traveling therapist is that they can see the world. They can travel to
places they always wanted to see and therapist do this because they wanted to see more of the
countryside. The pay is higher for traveling therapist, although they are considered part time
employees, therefore they dont have benefits and paid time off (PTO). They work as needed and
considered not full time. Some of the disadvantages of being a traveling therapist are, its more
expensive to be a traveling therapist because of the distance of the places they have to go.
Another disadvantage is that they do not establish a strong relation with the facility and
especially with the patient. Because more often it takes time to establish rapport with patients
and gaining the trust of the patient. Unlike a permanent based therapist who can establish a better
working relationship with the patient. It is hard to manage patient if the patient does not trust the
therapist because it will be hard to implement the rehabilitation plan that the therapist has
mapped out for the patient, but that is one skill that the therapist must have to be successful in
being a traveling therapist.
A traveling therapist would be best for singles because having kids while being a traveling
therapist is going to be also hard for kids who goes to school because the children have to
relocate everytime their parents have to move to the next assignment.
Margaret prefers to be a permanent based therapist in a nursing home because she wants to have
a lasting good working relationship with the facility and with the patients. This is ideal for her
because she can get to know the patients better and gain their trust.

Margaret is known in her facility as a hard worker with very good work ethics and loved by staff
and patients.

The Stresses of being a Therapist

Margaret mentioned like any other career being a therapist has stresses too. Productivity is one
major stressor, productivity means direct services versus non billable time. Non billable time
means writing reports, completing billing of patients, conferences and any other things that are
not direct services. The hard part is keeping the productivity high with an overwhelming amount
of paperwork, report, updates and all things that interfere with productivity. The therapist must
have an attitude that the paperwork is necessary and just have to tackle it, organize the time and
regulate on how to complete the reports. Another stressor is the increase supervision of
paperwork, including insurance identifying denials. Denials meaning the insurance determine if
the patient should receive therapy services or not. In terms of handing patients, some patients
during Margarets term have fluctuating emotionality, some patients are aggressive,
combative, non responsive and sometimes has no desire to participate in therapy.
Margaret also mentioned that she handles stress by being creative in handling patients so that the
patient will participate and see the rational of getting better, increase their motivation for
improving and giving them a reason to get better. In terms of paperwork, it just has to be
completed and dont let it pile up because that will add to the stress.
Margaret has the skills to manage stress because of her many years of experience in her job.
Interview Analysis
This interview has given me additional knowledge in my future chosen field. It has also taught
me how to manage and act during an interview.
Analysis of being a Therapist
I have come to a conclusion after this interview that choosing to be a therapist as a career is not
only a job security because of higher pay and high demand for therapy services. It also provides
satisfaction that you helped someone back to being normal again and the feeling you have
accomplished something great. It is also a career that allows you to travel. This career also
allows a therapist to be a specialist on their type of therapy.
Analysis of my interviewing Process
I think this is the first time I conducted an interview. I was really nervous before the interview
appointment and during the first part of the interview. It was really a nerve racking experience
but as I get comfortable speaking, I enjoyed doing it. It has given me a good experience. I
learned a lot in doing this interview.
For the interview, I typed it on a computer and printed it on a short bond paper. I made the font
big as to easily see it when I read the question to her. I typed my opening remarks, just to get me
started and remind me what to say. I read the questions a couple of times to not look at the paper
often when asking questions. I used a clipboard for the interview, which I regret because It felt
unprofessional. I will use cue cards instead. When I started the interview I was so nervous that I
forgot the questions that I tried to remember, it is a good thing a brought a paper with me with

the questions on it. This made me look unprepared and sends out the wrong signal to the
interviewee. I lost a lot of eye contact with the interviewee because of this. Margaret was very
good at answering the questions, although I felt how busy she was because some of her answers
are straight forward and you can sense that she really need to go back to her work. But she was
very accommodating when I asked the follow up questions I prepared. Next time I will try to
memorize the question so the conversation will more natural and free flowing.
I am glad that I used my cell phone to record our conversation, it helped me minimize the words
that I have to take note but very helpful in trying to recall what she said. I only wrote keywords
while she was talking.
As the interview progressed, I felt more comfortable and started to remember the questions I read
before the interview but still have to look at the paper copy that I brought. My voice and body
movement became more loose in a good way. I started to feel more confident, but still tried to
keep the conversations formal. After the interview I thanked her I asked her to do my evaluation
report and if possible to pick it up the next day. She was very gracious to agree that I can pick up
the evaluation report the following day. Because of this assignment I have more respect for
therapists and it has helped me in deciding what kind of therapist I will pursue. This assignment
is a good exercise in my future interviews.

Letter of Thanks
P.O. Box 90210
South Salt Lake, Utah 84112
November 5, 2014

Ms. Margaret Williams

6246 South Redwood Road
Taylorsville, UT 84123

Dear Margaret,
I would like to express my gratitude for granting me the interview. You have given me
fascinating answers to my questions.
I am happy that I chose you to interview. You were highly recommended by your co-workers. I
marvel at your dedication towards work and the sincere desire to provide your patients excellent
care. You are a good example to follow. You have given me a good perspective from your point
of view. This will help in deciding what kind of therapist I will pursue.
Thank you for giving me some of your time. I know you are very busy. You have helped me a
lot in my communication class.

Sincerely

Teo Celestino