This is a half-day forum which aims to provide a venue to discuss the present significant issues being confronted by the physical therapy profession and its individual professionals regarding regulation, education, service delivery, and professional organization representation. The forum also aims provide an opportunity for major stakeholders of the physical therapy profession in the country to present their views regarding the future state of profession in the areas of licensure and regulation, undergraduate and post-graduate education, service demand and supply, and professional organization.

The following stakeholders shall be invited to be presenters and panel members for the forum:

• Professional Regulation Commission, represented by the members of the Regulatory Board for Occupational and Physical Therapy;
• Commission on Higher Education, represented by the members of the Technical Panel for Physical Therapy Education;
• Department of Health, represented by the Health Human Resource Development Bureau;
• Philippine Physical Therapy Association, represented by its Board of Directors and Board of Officers;
• Association of Philippine Physical Therapy Students, represented by its Board of Officers;
• Officers of the Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists.

The forum is open to all physical therapy students, graduates, and professionals. No registration fees will be commanded. However, prior registration would highly be encouraged via e-mail to secretary@philpta.org (Indicate Subject: PT forum 25 Sept).

Proposed program for the forum:
Time & Details
8:00 am – 8:45 am Registration
8:45 am – 9:00 am Opening program (invocation, national anthem, and opening remarks)
9:00 am – 9:30 am Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. presentation
9:30 am – 10:00 am Commission on Higher Education presentation
10:00 am – 10:30 am Professional Regulations Commission presentation
10:30 am – 10:45 am Break
10:45 am – 11:15 am Department of Health presentation
11:15 am – 11:30 am Association of Philippine Physical Therapy Students presentation
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Open forum
12:30 pm – 12:45 pm Closing program (presentation of certificates and closing remarks)

The 1st Filipino Therapists’ conference & expo aims globally advance and competitive Filipino therapists due to rising demand in the market. It also envisions enhancing the organizational, practical skills, competence and ethical service practices of Filipino Therapists. Lastly, this convention would like to raise the Filipino therapists’ awareness of the clients’ and patients’ need in facing the current society.

An event that convenes Filipino Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists & Pediatric Therapists and discuss the goal towards progress. This also aspires to strengthen the industry through forming a distinctive group that will cater the needs and development of Filipino therapists all over the world. The expo aspect of the event will showcase products and services in the therapy industry.

Our aim is to provide further education and development avenues through conventions and events to the industry, practitioners and clients. Through this mission of uplifting the profession and industry to global competitiveness level, domestic and local therapy centers will increase and will eventually profuse number of jobs for newly graduates and unemployed therapists.

For more details (i.e., conference fee, exhibitor & sponsorship packages), please contact Ex-Link Management & Marketing Services Corp.
Tel.: 643-3887 | Fax: 640-1280
Email: info@exlinkevents.com | ritajacinto@exlinkevents.com
Website: www.filipinotherapistsevent.com.ph
Blog: www.filipinotherapistsevent.blogspot.com

Click on above image to enlarge.

Anyway, AOTA has published Updated Guidelines for Functional Assessments and Documentation in Home Health based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) health policy directives and transmittal requests effective April 1, 2011. The aim is to clarify the roles and expectations of occupational therapists and assistants in the evaluation, documentation and progress measurement for Medicare home health. There is increased emphasis on outcome measurement, accountability to make sure that services are reasonable, necessary, safe and effective. I have uploaded a copy via Scribd for all you OTs out there. Click here to read for yourselves.

It has been identified by CNN.Money as one of the Best Jobs in America for 2010 based on Money and Payscale rankings, garnering the 19th slot. It has also been featured by HubPages America as one of the Top 20 Best Career Choices for 2020, ranking at No.3.

The links to the above online articles can be accessed through the links in the references.

References:

CNN.Money. (2010). Best Jobs in America. Retrieved October 24, 2010 from website http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/snapshots/19.html

Inglish, P. HubPages America. Top 20 Best Career Choices for 2020. Retrieved on October 24, 2010 from website http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-20-Career-Choices-for-2010

Occupational Deprivation: Global Challenge in the New Millennium, Whiteford (2000), British Journal of Occupational Therapy Volume 63, Number 5, pp. 200-204(5)

Townsend, Elizabeth A. and Helene J Polatajko. (2007). Enabling Occupation II: Advancing an Occupational Therapy Vision for Health, Well-Being & Justice Through Occupation. Ottawa: CAOT Publications ACE. ISBN 978-1-895437-76-8

One of our Licensed Occupational Therapists currently working for Integra Rehab in Georgia is coming back to the Philippines next month for a vacation. We have invited her to conduct a talk and a little workshop for the OT community in Cebu. We would like to extend the invitation as well all interested Cebu based therapists (PT and OT). Here are the details of the said event:

Date: October 23, 2009 (Friday)
Time: 5:30PM
Venue: 2nd Flr. Diamond Hall, Golden Peak Hotel
Speaker: Shinette Alinas, OTR
Agenda/Topic:

1. What Shinette went through in order to qualify for a job in the US (IOTED application, NBCOT exam, NBCOT certificate, interview with Integra, POEA, etc) – 30 minutes
2. Shinette’s experience about being an OT in the US – 30 Minutes
3. Clinical workshop where Shinette can pass on a clinical skill to participants (wheelchair positioning..etc) – 30 minutes

This talk is open to everyone, and is FREE of charge. You may bring your OT/PT friends as well. We will just need your text confirmation so we can reserve seats for you, your students and your friends. You may send us your text confirmation at (63)9189090834. Just indicate your name for our records.

~ From Wawel Mercado

According to Immspec.com (U.S. Immigration Forms Processing Service for Foreign Nurses and Pharmacists), a company that describes itself as “an in-house immigration administration support specialist”, the Visa Screening program is described as follows:

Visa screening program verifies that the education of an alien healthcare worker seeking job in the United States is equivalent to that of his/her US educated counter part

An overview of visa screen certification:

U.S. immigration law now requires that healthcare professionals (except physicians) qualified outside the United States complete a screening program in order to qualify for certain US working visas. VisaScreen™, also known as Visa Credentials Assessment, enables healthcare workers to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure compliance with the government’s minimum eligibility standards.

VisaScreen™ program is administrated by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), which is a division of CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). Candidates who successfully complete this program receive a VisaScreen™ Certificate. This certification authenticates that the foreign national’s education, license, training, and experience are comparable to that of a US healthcare professional.

Visa screen certificate can be presented to a consulate office, or in the case of Adjustment of Status, the Attorney General, as part of application process of an occupational visa. The visa screening program normally involves licensure verification, educational credentialing, English language proficiency testing (TOEFL, TSE, TWE), and a predictive exam (CGFNS Certificate).

The healthcare professionals who are required to obtain a VisaScreen™ Certificate before they can get an immigrant visa or permanent residence (“green card”) include occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, medical technicians (or clinical laboratory technicians), medical technologists (or clinical laboratory scientists), and physician assistants. With respect to the green card process, the VisaScreen Certificate is not required for an employer to file an I-140 immigrant petition on behalf of a foreign national to sponsor them for lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card). However, once the I-140 immigrant petition is approved, the beneficiary and foreign national must obtain the VisaScreen Certificate before they can be issued an immigrant visa.

To satisfy all federal screening requirements, a VisaScreen™ evaluation includes:

Educational Review
To make sure that the candidate’s education:

• Meets all appropriate, statutory and regulatory requirements for the occupation the applicant intends to practice.
• Is equivalent to that of a U.S. graduate seeking licensure.

Licensure Review

• To assess initial and current licenses, provided directly to ICHP by the issuing/validating institution, to confirm the applicant has completed all practice requirements and has no encumbrances.

English Language Skills Assessment

• To confirm that the applicant has reached a level of competency in oral and written English by submitting passing scores on a test approved by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education.

(Take a look at the passing scores you will need to obtain – English Passing Scores)

Healthcare workers other than nurses do not need the NCLEX exam or CGFNS Certificate in order to apply for the Visa Screen Certificate.

For foreign-trained Occupational Therapists working in the United States, there are 2 agencies authorized that may issue the Visa Screen (valid for 5 years only) depending on the state where the educational credentialling is processed — the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and the CGFNS/ICHP. For example, in the state of New York, the educational credentialling agency is CGFNS/ICHP, whereas the states of Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma, visa screening is done through the NBCOT. The difference?

NBCOT: Visa Credential Verification Certificate (VCVC)

Access the link at the NBCOT website.

1. All first-time and renewing applicants are required to have passed the national certification examination for occupational therapists. Required within 1 year of passing the NBCOT.

2. First-time applicants are required to pass the English language proficiency tests (TOEFL, TSE, TWE or TOEFL iBT).

3. Renewing applicants, however, are not required to take the English language tests PROVIDED that they have not lived outside the U.S. for 3 consecutive years within the last 5 years prior to the renewal date.

4. Initial Certificate fee processing is $300.00 and certification renewal fee is $150.00

CGFNS/ICHP: Visa Screen Certificate

Access the link at the CGFNS website.

1. All first-time and renewing applicants are not required to pass the national certification examination examination for occupational therapists. Required for applicants currently processing immigration adjustment of status, who wish to be admitted, re-admitted, or extend their stay in the U.S. on or after July 26, 2004.

2. First-time and renewing applicants are required to keep their English proficiency test scores current (TOEFL, TSE, TWE or TOEFL iBT).

3. Initial certificate processing fee is $498.00, and certification renewal is $250.00.

NOTE: English proficiency test result validity is 2 years from examination date.

_____________________________

DCPA will award “Dementia Care Professional of the Year” to one individual each year who has demonstrated true professional excellence in care, compassionate performance above and beyond expectations, and a dedicated commitment to individuals with dementia. These accomplishments can be recent or accumulated throughout a career of dedicated service.

The professional may be nominated by peers, colleagues, employers, clients or client families. Individuals may be nominated by more than one person, since many people may seek to celebrate an impressive professional. Multiple nominations are welcome, but will not necessarily improve the likelihood of selection.

Nominees must be currently employed in a professional capacity as a provider of care or service to individuals with dementia or their families. Professionals may be from any industry or field of practice (i.e., personal care aides, activities therapists, program directors, support group leaders, administrators).

Nominees do not need to be members of Dementia Care Professionals of America, and they do not need to be affiliated in any way with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or its member organizations.

Accomplishments and success stories of any magnitude merit nomination—and are encouraged. Categories of accomplishment include, but are not limited to:

* Achievements through overall career of service
* Changes to the care system or field of practice
* Development of successful models of care and intervention
* Positive impact on colleagues or workplace
* Positive impact on families
* Extraordinary service to clients

Nominations must be submitted through an online form at www.careprofessionals.org, and will be accepted no later than September 1st of each year.

A panel of select members of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Board of Trustees and the executive management of DCPA will review all nominations to determine an honoree.

It’s not enough then to just browse the web directory for any random nominee. Make sure to nominate someone who’s worthy! For more information, please visit DCPA website.

COMPANY ASSETS: HOME-GROWN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WITH CLINICAL DOCTORATE DEGREES
By: Iris Luanne De La Calzada, OTR/L

Reviewing the literature of health professions related to workforce and market forces identified three key themes: changing demographics, cultural diversity, and a shrinking workforce whose members are not representative of the U.S. society. The changing U.S demographics predict an increasingly multicultural population that is aging, with a shrinking workforce, whose members will likely benefit from occupational therapy services (Coppard, Berthelette, Gaffney, Muir, Reitz, & Slater, 2009). The projected demand for an increased number of occupational therapists “who are more representative of the diverse global population who has a variety of skill levels” supports continuing the option to advance education to a doctorate level (Coppard, et al., 2009). The doctoral degree offers additional curricular content focusing on research skills, leadership, program and policy development, and advocacy, as well as “the doctoral experiential component with developing occupational therapists with advanced skills (those that are beyond a generalist level). There is also an increasing need for qualified occupational therapists as clinicians, faculty members, researchers, policy advocates, scientists, and innovative developers of services in urban and rural areas. However, research into the current U.S. workforce in occupational therapy reveals that the areas in dire need of education about the benefits of occupational therapy are in the healthcare facilities where the majority of the workforce is employed. A large percentage of this workforce is internationally trained therapists whose education levels are baccalaureate degrees that are deemed equivalent to an entry-level master’s degree. U.S. schools are not graduating enough occupational therapy students to address the need and this country will continue to recruit foreign-trained therapists internationally until this need is satisfied.

The key here is to educate the new recruits, especially internationally trained therapists, and new occupational therapy graduates about existing policies, the societal needs of this community, the current trends of practice, and to work together, growing professionally together while bringing in the special skills of both local and international training to advance the level of care for our communities through the creation of innovative programs and researching new possibilities of addressing our society’s needs.

Enhancing the education of working and practicing occupational therapists will better allow employers to recruit the practitioners of tomorrow who will serve our clients and profession well, ethically and professionally, and thus assist this country in addressing the severe shortage in the skilled workforce in this field.

Reference:
Coppard, B., Berthelette, M., Gaffney, D., Muir, S., Reitz, S.M., and Slater, D.Y. (2009). Why Continue Two Points of Entry Education for Occupational Therapists? OT Practice. March 9, 2009 Issue. 10-14.

About the Author
Iris Luanne De La Calzada is a Staff Occupational Therapist at Valley Regional Medical Center, a 200-bed acute medical hospital in Brownsville, TX. She was recently promoted to the position of Clinical Manager of the Therapeutic Services Department. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Cebu Velez College, Cebu City, Philippines in 2000.

Iris is a licensed OT in the Philippines. In 2004, she immigrated to the US, where she is an OTR in the states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and New Jersey. She has wide and varied experience in adult and pediatric physical dysfunction both in the Philippines and in the United States. Her chosen areas of specialty is in upper extremity adult physical dysfunction and occupational rehabilitation. Her occupational balance are long drives in the country, travelling, networking, blogging and shopping.

Yes! Health care reform is working on a fast track through Congress. Changes happen every day with new bills, new ways to finance, and new ideas to save money. But every part of health care reform will affect you as an occupational therapy practitioner! And AOTA is your voice and guide in this battle.

Read more »

For physical therapists, you may visit the American Physical Therapist Association’s Advocacy and Government Affairs page for the latest news and update on the health care reform.