April 2010 Newsletter

PTA Newsletter

2009 was an exciting year for us with the changes in the practice act.

PTA licensure is now required. For those of us who now have the temporary license we have until July 1, 2012 to take the national exam and pass it to receive our permanent license.

Continuing education is also a new requirement. PTAs must have 20 CEU credits every renewal period.

Spring Conference is on April 30th and May 1st at the Canyons. Please take some time to talk with me, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

Louise Jarvis (the Membership Chair for the Utah Chapter of the APTA) and I were awarded a grant from the APTA to promote PTA membership.

We have written a small welcome book for new PTA members, it outlines the opportunities available for PTAs in the APTA and the benefits of membership. Please look for it when you become a new member.

For those of you who are already members, I can get you all of the information about leadership and professional development opportunities through the APTA or you can check the APTA web site at apta.org.

For the House of Delegates Meeting in June the PTA Caucus will present a motion to change the APTA Bylaws to allow PTAs to have a full vote at the chapter level. Please review the attachment and let me know if you are in support of the motion.

PTA Full Vote Information

The APTA Physical Therapist Assistant Caucus has a campaign for the 2010 House of Delegates to bring forth a Motion giving PTAs the full vote at the chapter level.

There are many reasons for this some are discussed in the numbered talking points listed below. One main reason is an effort to increase PTA membership and participation in the APTA. When the PTA Caucus was re-organized the membership dropped significantly, we are hoping that this will help PTAs feel more included in the association and increase their participation.

I’m very proud to report to you all that the PTA membership in the Utah Chapter of the APTA has increased to 52. I encourage all of you to become members, and get involved in any leadership opportunities that come your way.

The APTA has many opportunities for PTAs to progress in there career and develop their leadership skills. This makes you even more valuable to your employer and more marketable.

Here is a brief history of the PTA vote:

In 1973, the APTA House of Delegates established a membership category for the PTA that included ½ votes at both the component and national levels. In 1998, the ½ vote at the national level was removed with the creation of the National Assembly. This by-law change resulted in nearly a 50% reduction in PTA membership. Although there has been progress in PTA participation since the Association formed the PTA Caucus and promoted increased integration of the PTA member in APTA in 2005, PTA membership rates have remained stable and significantly below the 1998 level.

Please review the following talking points about the full vote and let me know your opinion.

1. PTAs are equal stakeholders in the future of the profession and Association. A full vote for PTAs at the chapter level, at business meetings and for elections will not change the process at the national level. The House will continue to be the highest decision making body of the Association and all policy and positions will continue to be decided by the House. The PTA Delegates will continue to speak and make motions but will not have a vote on the floor of the House. There is no evidence that PTAs have ever supported a change that would negatively impact the profession.
2. The full vote does not change the clinical model; the PTA will continue to work under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist in the provision of patient/client care in all jurisdictions.
3. PTA members have demonstrated their commitment to the growth of the profession and the Association as evidenced by increased contributions to the PTPAC and the Foundation. In 2009 the PTA Caucus (5 PTA Delegate, 42 PTA Reps present at the House) had a 100% contribution rate for the PTPAC. During 2009 in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the PTA the PTA Caucus raised $27,401.00 for the PTPAC.
4. In addition to financial support, PTAs have contributed to the promotion of legislative and political agendas supporting the profession by personally meeting with and phoning legislators, writing letters and sending electronic communications. PTA’s have a full vote for our legislative agendas. The PTA Caucus has an appointed liaison to Government Affairs.
5. The Association has benefited by the increased participation of PTA members with varied backgrounds, talents, and education, including additional degrees in health care, business, and education.
6. PTA members have embraced Vision 2020 and are dedicated to meeting the vision, goals, and objectives of APTA as evidenced in the mission statement of the PTA Caucus:
   
   Mission
   The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Caucus, serving with integrity and responsiveness, will be the voice of the physical therapist assistant in meeting the vision, goals, and objectives of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the profession.
7. PTA members contribute significantly to the Association through service on a variety of advisory panels, committees and task forces at the national level as well as serving locally on chapter boards, committees and SIGs. Currently over 30 chapters have PTAs eligible to serve on their boards. In addition PTAs are serving on several Section Boards (Aquatics and Neurology). PTAs have or are currently serving on the following committees, advisory panels or task forces;
   • The Advisory Panel on Practice
   • The Advisory Panel on Membership
   • The Task Force for the Revision of the Code of Ethics
   • PTPAC
   • The PASS Summit
   • The Strategic Plan
   • Governance Review
8. PTA members contribute significantly to the profession through service on many State Licensure Boards and on the FSBPT board. PTAs may serve as delegates for the FSBPT and have a full vote in determining the policies of the Federation.
9. APTA espouses democratic governance, yet PTA members have no vote at the national level and only ½ votes at the chapter level in determining who will represent them at the House of Delegates.
10. No other professional association was found to provide for a ½ vote for any of its members.
11. Dues are not tied to membership privileges. If PTAs obtain the full vote at the Chapter level no changes take place nationally. PTAs will not have a vote at the house; can not serve on any position at the district, chapter or national level that would lead to the presidency. PTAs can not serve on APTA’s board of directors or on the national Nominating Committee.
12. Education is not tied to membership privileges. The DPT, the MSPT, the BSPT and certificate PT all have a full vote at every level.
13. Apportionment of the number of delegates to the House does not change. The apportionment of the number of delegates is not determined by voting privileges but is based on membership categories. The PTA will still be considered a ½ member. The full vote at the chapter level by PTAs will not impact apportionment to the house. There are NO changes at the national level of governance.
14. During the APTA Board of Directors Mega-Issue discussion (January, 2009) of the future role of the PTA the following resolution was adopted;
    
    

    Whereas, APTA policies and positions currently exist specifically describing the role of the Physical Therapist Assistant in physical therapist practice;

    Whereas, The Physical Therapist Assistant is the sole extender of the Physical Therapist;

    Whereas, The Physical Therapist Assistant is directed and supervised by the Physical Therapist;

    Whereas, The role of the Physical Therapist Assistant resides exclusively within the intervention component of the patient/client management model;

    Whereas, The Associate degree is the appropriate entry-level degree for the Physical Therapist Assistant;

    Whereas, APTA supports measures to promote continuing competence of the Physical Therapist Assistant; and,

    Whereas, There is potential for ongoing education after licensure/regulation for the Physical Therapist Assistant within the realm of interventions;

    Resolved, That the American Physical Therapy Association develop and communicate best practice service delivery models for a variety of practice settings that promote safe, effective, and efficient utilization of the Physical Therapist Assistant. The models should also clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant in assuring effective communication, professional relationships, competent service delivery, assessment of ongoing clinical competence; and skill development.

15. Nationally PT programs graduate an average of 29 students per year while PTA programs graduate an average of 17 per year. PTA membership in the APTA has always been less than 10% of the total membership with an atmosphere of inclusion we could break that trend. PTA members are a valuable resource for the Association and contribute significantly to the Association through service, financial support, and advocacy. PTAs generously contribute their time, knowledge from a wide range of educational backgrounds, and prior and current work experiences through service on national committees, advisory panels and task forces as well as locally on chapter and component boards and committees where they have a right to one vote. They also contribute over a million dollars annually in dues revenue and product sales. Over the past five years alone, PTAs have donated more than $106,600 to the PT-PAC and $25,800 to the PT Foundation.

Please send a return e-mail and let me know if you are for or against the full vote for PTAs.

Thanks, Amy
amy.black[at]hsc.utah.edu
(801) 585-7341 work