DIR E C T IO N S CANADA
SHARING OUR PASSION: WHY DO WE CARE? Written by: LINDA NORTON, M.SC.CH, PH.D., OT REG. (ONT)
The NRRTS Canadian Advisory Committee has been critical to the success of NRRTs in Canada. Recently we’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments, and why, we as individuals, invest our time and energy to this committee. “This committee helped me understand how things are the same, and how they are different between Canada and the U.S. Yes, the funding sources are different, but at the core, there are the same issues, challenges and commitment to meeting the client’s needs in Canada and the U.S.” – Weesie Walker, ATP/SMS As a committee, we have recognized the similarities to our U.S. counterparts, but we have also worked to ensure that the Canadian context is represented in NRRTs activities, education and resources. For example, Canadians now hold board positions, participate in the planning of the slate of webinars offered for the year as well as in the selection of articles for DIRECTIONS. Our goal is to ensure people who use Complex Rehabilitation Technology receive the most appropriate equipment that enables them to participate in life. “I’ve always felt we need to lead with education. Prescriber and provider education leads to better product selection for the end user and a happy client. We want to make a positive difference in our clients’ lives. Groups like the NRRTs Canadian Advisory Committee lead to higher standards, so that clients don’t end up with inferior products because of lack of education.” – Judy Rowley “NRRTS enables your teams to be trained using the best education that is available with Canadian and American speakers (beginners through experienced providers) with articles and webinars” – Michelle Harvey, BSC HONS OT, RRTS®
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DIRECTIONS 2023.5
Our goal is to ensure the provision of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) is recognized as a profession. The provision of CRT does not become recognized as a profession by saying, “We're a profession!” We become a profession by declaring and recognizing a unique set of knowledge and skills, participating in ongoing education, adhering to a set of professional standards and ethics, and holding each other accountable. NRRTS gives us all these components. “NRRTS has allowed me as a professional to show others what I do. The best advocacy for your client is to bring the biggest toolbox … best way to serve the client is to want to help build the tool box and raise the level of professionalism in Canada, in this industry. We want to be leaders.” – Jason Kelln, ATP, CRTS® Professional CRT expertise isn’t free. It is a professional service that should be funded. Demonstrating our professionalism through the work we do each day, investing in education, adhering to standards of practice and ethics, and being self regulating solidify our position as professionals. Until we hold ourselves, and each other, accountable are we really professionals, or do we just sell stuff? “NRRTS is the vessel that elevates us – why are there not higher professional standards? I want to leave a long-lasting impact on this industry. Governments believe we sell stuff, but we are not recognized as professionals who are an integral part of our health care system. We have a profound impact on people’s lives.” – Christien Allen As we attend conferences and network with our peers, it is hard to ignore that we are an aging profession. In fact, the average age of a Complex Rehab Technology provider is 52; approximately 10 years older than the national average worker age1. It is likely that there is a similar aging workforce in Canada. As people retire, there is a danger that we will lose the tacit knowledge we have gained over the collective years of experience. “We try to engage new people and promote ourselves as a viable industry. How do we encourage young people to take up this profession? We keep them engaged in education and give them the tools to be successful. The Canadian NRRTS Committee helps to shape the education program and the future of the industry.” – Kathy Fisher, B.SC.(OT)
