Lording isn't Leading

Well said, Dean!

Maybe I'm missing the point here. It seems to me that the PTA as director question was asked and answered in the comments on Mr. Marketti's article. Ms. Goude seems to be asking a question based on leadership style which was inspired by that article. Two different things really, aren't they?

1. A PTA could make a great director and a DPT could make a lousy director or vice-versa. Being a director is a different skill set.

2. No matter how much experience a PTA director has, they can NEVER evaluate a patient. That is the law.

3. Well experienced PTAs could indeed serve as a clinical resource to some DPTs in some areas. A DPT does not mean one graduated knowing everything.

4. A director needs to provide their staff with the necessary tools to do their jobs; guidance, motivation, the ability to stand up to upper management when required and the ability to stand up to the staff when required (and the ability to know the difference), to direct them to the right clinical answers because nobody knows them all, the ability to let go and let staff grow, the ability to remind staff that healthcare is a business after all and certain parameters have to be met, the ability to make their staff excel.

I heard from the clinical director of one place I worked in the Bronx when I was rehab manager there, "If morale is low and turnover is high, productivity is in the basement and sick leave is through the roof, there is only one place to look for the problem...management."

Some leaders/managers will be surounded with those who have more expereince and/or knowledge than themselves so they can make more informed decisions.  

The director has a responsibility that some PT's may not want to take on.  If a PTA wants it let them.  A new grad DPT director will not necessarily be a clinical resource for a PT who has 20 years experience in pediatrics, home health or wound care will they? Will this make them a poor manager because they lack the ability to be a clinical resource?

I guess a PTA couldn't be any worse than some of the PT's that have tried to direct a department (and failed) or run a business (into bankruptcy).

Just reread the comments to that article you mentioned. All comments made good points. Your thought provoking article seems to be of your own making. Since you are a retired OT, perhaps you are blogging for the sake of writing/blogging? Are there no other topics to write about in this edition? Stirring the pot is not always the way to go... especially if the pot has been cooking for months! Please move on an enlighten us on some new ideas. Looking forward to the next edition.....