b'| SPECIALTIESSpecialtyCertifications for PTsAdditional training builds competence and confidence By Valerie Neff NewittA ndrea Pitts, DPT, of Philadelphia,AVAILABLE SPECIALTIES positive impact on the number of consultations, believes in the value of specialty cer- Derek D. Stepp, director of post-professionalinvited presentations, new job opportunities tifications within a physical therapycredentialing at the American Physical Therapyand opportunity for increased responsibility.career. Certainly, there are the obvious attrac- Association (APTA), said specialty certificationsIn-depth information on specialty certifica-tions: It makes you more marketable and addscontinue to gain in popularity within the pro- tions for PTs is available via the American Board more tricks to your PT tool bag. But the mostfession. There has been a steady and consistentof Physical Therapy Specialties (www.abpts.org/important aspect of earning specialty certifi- increase across most specialty areas over thehome.aspx), an arm of APTA. The site offers cations is what it brings to your own compe- past 10 years or more, he noted. descriptions of the specialty areas, as well as vid-tence and, in turn, to your patients outcomes. Currently, PT specialty certifications areeos detailing the benefits of each one and inter-I am direct-access certified, and I also holdoffered in the areas of cardiovascular and pul- views with PTs who have earned the certificates. certifications in lymphedema and athleticmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics,The site also lists important deadlines for certifi-training, said Pitts. I often find that knowl- neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports andcation and recertification, and more.edge gained in one area of therapy can be usedwomens health. Additional areas are con- Pitts summed up the value of specialty edu-to successfully cross over into other areas. Forstantly being assessed for possible inclusion. Itcation by noting that it doesnt hinge on any example, I use treatments from lymphedemais looking increasingly likely that oncology willsingle thing. You might become more employ-trainingsuch as limb-wrappingto helpbe our newest specialty area, which will be offi- able, and you might even have a bit more earn-athletes with strains and swelling. I use sportscially voted on June 2016, Stepp added. ing power. But its not about that for me, she medicine techniques for strengthening myAsked to pinpoint the impact of specialtysaid earnestly. I like to know that I have the pediatric patients with cerebral palsy. Evencertifications on those who earn them, Steppeducation to provide the best care possible for when working with geriatric patients, I employdeferred to surveys conducted by the Americanmy clients. With additional certifications, I athletic training techniquessuch as the usePhysical Therapy Association, which revealedhave a broader base from which to do just that. of an agility ladder to help them with their bal- an interesting and pertinent fact. I can be more effective in my work because my ance and strength. Our certified specialists have reported back toadditional education has expanded my overall The bottom line, said Pitts, is the fact thatus that they spend an increased amount of timeunderstanding of physical therapy.nadding specialty certifications also infers thein research, teaching, consultation, and schol-confidence that comes with greater all-aroundarly and professional activities, he reported.Valerie Newitt is a former staff writer at ISTOCKknowledge. Additionally, their certification tends to have aADVANCE/Elite. www.elitecme.com |2019| EDUCATION 21'