Post on 07-Jan-2016
description
Upon completion of this presentation, you'll be able to:
Discuss the role of specialty certification in advancing your clinical practice and importance to our profession
List the current areas of Areas of Specialty PracticeProvide an overview of the ABPTS certification and
maintenance of specialty certification program Describe the minimum eligibility requirements for certification
and recertification for specializationDescribe the process for board certification and maintenance
of specialty certification Describe the role of clinical residencies in the certification
process Identify top motivations to pursue ABPTS Specialty
certification
KnowledgeClinical
Reasoning
Movement
Virtues
Philosophy of PT
Practice
MultidimensionalPatient-centered
Collaborative with Patient-
Reflective Practice
Caring, Commitment,
Respect, Ethical
Practice
Primary focus; Centered on
function: hands-on
Jensen GM et al (2000) Phys Ther 80(1):28 – 43.
Entry level degree Years of experience Continuing education Post–professional residency Post-professional degrees Post-professional
certifications Specialization
Specialization is a process for physical therapist ◦ Established to provide formal recognition for physical
therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience, and skills in a special area of practice
◦ Professional education and development ◦ Clinical Expertise in specific areas of practice
Clinical specialization responds to a unique area of patient need
Recognition Assists consumers and the health care community
in identifying physical therapists who are specialists in a unique area of practice
Voluntary – you decide Unrestrictive – does not prohibit others Coordinated - all APTA recognized are managed by a central mechanism (ABPTS)
Broad based foundation of physical therapy education and clinical practice
Combined with… Depth and breadth of
knowledge in specialty area Clinical experience in
specialty area
KnowledgeKnowledge
Advanced clinical expertise, skills, and abilities unique to a specialized practice area
Expertise in clinical reasoning applied to specialty practice area
What does Clinical Specialization Require?
KnowledgeKnowledge
Promote highest possible level of physical therapy care
Promote ongoing development of science and art underlying each specialty practice
Recognize specialists through a reliable and valid method for certification of specialty practitioners
Identify for the consumers and the health care community physical therapists who are specialists in a unique area of practice
1. Cardiovascular & Pulmonary (CCS)2. Clinical Electrophysiologic (ECS)3. Geriatrics (GCS)4. Orthopaedics (OCS)5. Pediatrics (PCS)6. Neurology (NCS)7. Sports (SCS)8. Women’s Health (WCS)
Current license to practice physical therapy in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands
Practice eligibility requirement is 2,000 hours minimum of direct patient care in the specialty area, 25% (500 hrs) of which must have occurred in the last 3 years.
Direct patient care ◦ must include activities in each
of the elements of patient/client management model applicable to the specialty area and included in the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP)
Practice elements of patient/client management as defined in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice Examination Evaluation Diagnosis Prognosis Intervention
Other requirements specific to the specialty such as:◦Emergency care certification (SCS)◦ACLS certification (CCS)◦Patient reports (ECS)◦Case reflections (WCS)
APTA Credentialed Clinical Residency ◦ A planned program of post-professional clinical
and didactic education that is designed to advance significantly the physical therapist's preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice
◦ Residency Curriculum - designed around the DSP◦ Specialty councils may allow completion of an
APTA-credentialed clinical residency to replace all or a portion of the practice eligibility requirements
Last step in initial certification process
The Specialty Councils develop the examinations
A rigorous examination that tests the application of advanced knowledge and clinical skills & reasoning National Board of Medical
Examiners Criterion referenced exam
Another exam!!!
Patient Care Teaching Administration Consultation Communication Interpretation of Research
As defined by specific DSP
Components of the Examination*
Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) ◦ Describes the
advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities for clinical practice in the specialty area
◦ Developed from a valid process for assessing expertise domain and current standards of specialty practice
Based on data from an extensive practice analysis study◦Conducted by Specialty
Councils and approved by ABPTS
Document from which the certification exam is developed
Description of Specialty Practice◦ Self-Assess strengths
and weakness Develop a plan and
strategy, decide on a “path”
Clinical experience in specialty area
Seek mentor(s)◦ Board certified specialist
Professional development ◦ Knowledge and skills◦ Continuing Education◦ Post professional clinical
residency◦ Post professional education
Continuously review and adapt your “path” Resources
◦ Resources available from APTA Sections
Recommended textbooks
Reading lists
Advanced Clinical Practice Courses
◦Study Groups
◦ *ABPTS does not approve or review material or course content*
Application ◦APTA Department of Post-Professional Certification and
Credentialing (www.abpts.org) Deadline:
◦July of the preceding year◦To sit for the 2013 exam, applications must be
postmarked by:◦July 1, 2012 – WCS, CCS, ECS◦July 31, 2012 – GCS, NCS, OCS, PCS, SCS
All applications are reviewed
Certification is valid for ten years with no maintenance fees
APTA member Non-member
Applicant Review $500 $845
Examination $800 $1,525
Total $1,300 $2,370
Exams are offered once per year for a two-week exam period
Candidates may sit for the exam between February-March
●2012 – February 25–March 10, 2012●2013 – March 2-16, 2013
Computerized examinations, administered at Prometric, Inc. testing centers
FORMAT: Multiple choice questions including case scenarios, videos, pictures
Recognized at Opening Ceremony of APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)
Recognized by sections and chapters Inclusion in online Directory of Certified
Specialists Only individuals who have successfully
completed the ABPTS certification process may use the term “Board-Certified Clinical Specialist”
Who Are They?
Total 2012- 12,937 individuals
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary CCS 176
Clinical Electrophysiologic ECS 156
Geriatrics GCS 1422
Neurology NCS 1102
Orthopaedics OCS 7655
Pediatrics PCS 1178
Sports SCS 1094
Women’s Health WCS 154
Total in 2012 = 12,937
54%
46%
Female Male
Private PT OfficeHealth system or hospital-based outpatient facility or clinic
Academic Institution
Supervisor/Director of PT Staff or Senior PT Sole Owner/Partner PT PracticeAcademic Faculty
Proof of expertise in specialty area
Personal challenge or achievement
Professional career goal
Earn a credential that reflects advanced practice to patients, physicians, & payers
Source: Survey of certified specialists (2007)
Specialists report that board certification has had a positive impact on . . . ◦Sense of personal achievement ◦Self-confidence & professional growth◦Patient care, including better outcomes◦Increased credibility with patients &
referral sources◦Recognition in clinical, academic and
community settings
Sources: Survey of certified specialists (2007)
Opened doors for professional growth◦Consultations◦Invited Presentations◦New job opportunities◦Leadership & service◦Teaching opportunities◦Research collaboration◦Networking
SACE – exam item writers CCE – exam item editors SME – exam standard setting and specialty
practice analysis Specialty Councils – over see exam
development process, maintenance of certification, specialty practice analysis
ABPTS – board that oversees all specialties
Employer Support of ABPTS Certification ◦ 53% of employers pay at least some of the costs
associated with obtaining clinical specialization.◦ 43% of employers indicate that they give priority in
hiring to job applicants who are board certified. Value expertise of specialist
◦ High patient care standards◦ Serve as mentors for others◦ Provide team leadership
79% report that certification is a indicator of clinical competence
90% report that certification is an indicator of depth and breadth of knowledge in an area of specialty practice
High rate (68%) of specialists choose to recertify
Source: Survey of certified specialists (2007)
Yes!! What is the process?
◦Currency of clinical practice and expertise in the specialty
◦Currency of advanced knowledge and skills in the specialty
◦Demonstration of professional development
Initial Certification is valid for 10 years.
To maintain the credential, a specialist must meet the requirements of before his or her certificate expires
ABPTS has developed process for assessing currency and recertification standards
Ensures to the public the validity of advanced skills and expertise of the specialist
To verify current competence as an advanced practitioner in the specialty area
Evaluation of professional development and clinical experience
To encourage ongoing education and professional growth
Current requirements
◦ Direct patient care hours in specialty (2000 hr)
AND
◦ Professional Development Portfolio (PDP)
OR◦ Current written examination
OR◦ Graduation from a credentialed APTA clinical residency
Future Model - MOSC
Documentation of professional development activities and advanced clinical practice related to specialty practice since initial certification
Examples:√ Continuing Education courses√ Clinical Supervision√ College/University courses√ Teaching continuing education or college courses√ Research presentations (platform or poster)√ Presentations to professional groups, classes, or in-services√ Presentations to community or client-based groups√ Author or editor of book chapters, journal articles, grant
proposals√ Committee membership in professional organization√ Consultation
Maintenance of Specialist Certification Model
(MOSC)
RecertificationModel
MOSC Model
MOSC
#1
#2 #3
#4
3 6 9CertificationCycle (10 yrs) years
Professionals with clinical expertise Advancing our profession Making a difference in lives of our patients
Consider setting your career path toward clinical excellence and Specialization
CCS, ECS, GCS, NCS, OCS, PCS, SCS, WCS
APTA
Department of Post-Professional Certification and Credentialing
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
800/999-2782, ext 8520
http://www.abpts.org
Stepp DD: Focus your career: Specialist Certification. Perspectives for New Professionals of the American Physical Therapy Association. PT InMotion. May, 2010
Bryan J, Blake A. How do other health care professionals view specialist certification? PT Magazine. 2004;12(9):54-57.
Bryan J, Gill-Body K, Blake A. How employers view specialist certification. PT Magazine. 2003;11(1):50-51.
Thompson M. The role of higher education in the career paths of board-certified clinical specialists in geriatric physical therapy: implications for professional and post professional
education. J Phys Ther Educ. 2001;15(2):10-16.
Hart DL, Dobrzykowski EZ. Influence of orthopaedic clinical specialist certification on clinical outcomes
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2000;30(4):183-193 Milidonis MK, Godges JJ, Jensen GM. Nature of clinical
practice for specialists in orthopaedic physical therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1999;29(4):240-247 Ellison J, Becker M, Nelson AJ. Attitudes of physical
therapists who possess sports specialist certification. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;25(6):400-406
Smith LC. The decision to specialize. 2001;9(6):52-59 Edmonds MM. What if? PT Magazine. 1999;7(4):44-49 Wynn KE. Why recertify? PT Magazine. 1996;4(11):68-70 Williams DO. Answering the bell: PTs & school sports. PT Magazine. 1996;4(12):36-39 Woods EN. What’s so special about specialist certification?
PT Magazine. 1994;2(2):46-51 Ferrier MPB. One stage in professional evolution. Clinical Management. 1991;11(2):66-70