RESNA

MAKE AN IMPACT ON YOUR PROFESSION

Written by: ANDREA VAN HOOK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESNA

Can you have an impact on your profession? Yes, you can. By volunteering for RESNA and NRRTS, you can have a tremendous impact on public policy, the profession and industry best practices.

For example, earlier this year RESNA launched the Job Task Analysis survey. Over 330 assistive technology professionals took time out of their busy days to respond to the survey. 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 ATP certification examination blueprint, the pre-requisites to sit for it and the continuing education requirements to maintain it.

The survey results will affect those who become ATPs over the next five years. It will inform their practice, their employers and their different assistive technology industries as to what it means to be a professional – and accountable – certified assistive technology professional and earn the ATP certification.

Exam maintenance for both the ATP and the Seating and Mobility (SMS) Certification is an annual process at RESNA. Every year, volunteers are needed to serve as subject matter experts on various task forces. This work can be time intensive but is usually done in short stints of one or two days. The volunteers who participate find it very interesting and rewarding.

In addition to the volunteers needed for the certification program, you can also make an impact by serving on RESNA and NRRTS committees. In addition to the Professional Standards Board and its subcommittees, there’s the RESNA Education Committee, tasked with planning and executing the annual continuing education program; RESNA’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Professional Specialty Groups (PSGs), who develop position papers, white papers and share information with each other; the Assistive Technology Standards Board, which works on voluntary consensus standards for a wide range of technologies; the RESNA Government Affairs Committee, which works on policy and advocacy; and a whole host of other committees and special projects.

If you are interested in volunteering, whether for a short project or to serve on a committee, visit RESNA’s website, click on “Membership,” and navigate to “Volunteer Opportunities.” Many RESNA committees welcome nonmembers in addition to members. For example, nonmembers are welcome to join RESNA’s International

SIG and the 24/7 Posture Care Management SIG. In addition, RESNA’s AT Forum, an online community, isopen to all.

RESNA RESOURCES

• Looking for great employees? Need a new job?Check out RESNA’s Job Board/Career Center. Jobsare posted from all over the United States.

• RESNA Position Papers summarize current research and best practice on a variety of assistive technology devices. Check out position paper on dynamic seating, seat elevation and ultralight manual wheelchairs. These are very useful for those letters of medical necessity! Look under“Resources” on the RESNA website.

RECERTIFICATION: MAKE IT EASY

Do your part to ensure your recertification paperwork is complete! Send your paperwork to RESNA at least three to five weeks prior to your certification expiration date. We strongly recommend you scan and email your paperwork (including all of your CEU certificates) to certification@resna.org. This speeds up your renewal. Keep in mind missing or illegible information will cause delay.

We offer a free webinar, “The Ins and Outs of ATP Recertification” on the website. Just use the search box on the website to find it. It has tips and advice on how to make the process easy and efficient.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR Andrea may be reached at EXECOFFICE@RESNA.ORG

Andrea Van Hook is executive director of RESNA. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit association management. She lives and works in the Washington, D.C., area.