RE SNA
PAY IT FORWARD: ATP SURVEY COMING SOON Written by: JULIE PIRIANO, PT, ATP/SMS AND CHAIR, PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD
How often can you say you helped define a profession? I get to say I have done it twice and enjoyed it immensely! The Professional Standards Board (PSB) of RESNA conducts a regular job task analysis to identify the core competencies of assistive technology (AT) professionals and assess the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform those tasks. RESNA’s Job Task Analysis (JTA) is the largest research project worldwide related to the body of knowledge for assistive technology. The results of this study are used to verify and update the content to the Assistive technology professional (ATP) certification examination blueprint, the pre-requisites to sit for it and the continuing education requirements to maintain it. The JTA research process incorporates a multimethod approach that involves numerous subject matter experts, an analysis of trends in our profession, a review of current literature and a large-scale survey of AT professionals across all practice settings, service delivery models and AT solutions. The full process takes the PSB about a year to complete and defines current practice and emerging trends in AT. I served as a member of JTA Taskforce panel in 2014. Back then we spent two days locked in a room debating the future of our profession; where we saw emerging trends; how we thought technology would enhance the lives of our clients and the scope of knowledge and skills of the professionals involved. Now it is 2021 and I could not have imagined that we would be engaging in this important work with an entirely virtual JTA panel or that this group of individuals spread across the country could rally as a community to have the thoughtful conversation once again about the future of our profession. Our industry has come so far in the past six years, and I am already inspired by the deliberative discussion the PSB and JTA Taskforce have had to build a body of knowledge that will hold its relevancy for years to come.
OUR INDUSTRY HAS COME SO FAR IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, AND I AM ALREADY INSPIRED BY THE DELIBERATIVE DISCUSSION THE PSB AND JTA TASKFORCE HAVE HAD TO BUILD A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL HOLD ITS RELEVANCY FOR YEARS TO COME. 46
DIRECTIONS 2021.3
CALL TO ACTION But we need your help. We are launching the survey component of the JTA later this fall. If you work in AT, we want your input! The purpose of the large-scale survey is to review the work of the JTA Taskforce, to identify tasks and knowledge that accurately reflect the role of assistive technology professionals and to develop the specifications of the ATP certification program. During the past year, our industry has had to rapidly adapt like so many others to the day-to-day shifts in our personal lives and professional practices due to COVID-19. We have gained tremendous resilience and practical experience that may differ from what we have always done that are critical to capture, so now is the perfect time for our industry to step back, reflect and map out our future. Remember to keep an eye out for the survey later this fall and tell RESNA about your role in AT. The survey will be widely promoted. Help us prepare and advance the next generation of ATPs.
CONTACT THE AUTHOR
Julie may be reached at JPIRIANO@QUANTUMREHAB.COM
Julie Piriano, PT, ATP/SMS is vice president of Clinical Education, Rehab Industry Affairs and a compliance officer at Pride Mobility Products. Piriano has been a member of RESNA for over 20 years and is an active participant in the Wheeled Mobility and Seating SIG and the PT PSG, as well as chairwoman of the Professional Standards Board. She is a Friend of NRRTS, a member of the AAHomecare Complex Rehab and Mobility Council, serves on the NCART Medicaid Committee and the User’s First Alliance Advisory Board. Piriano is a highly proactive industry resource on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the complex rehab industry and is actively involved with the coverage, coding and standards work groups as part of the Complex Rehab Separate Benefit Initiative.
