PTA Blog Talk : APTA and State PT Associations

My New Revenue Source

Jason Marketti — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:08:00 GMT

According to Medicare, I'm able to work under the direction of an MD. Imagine what that could do to the outpatient market in some areas. As a PTA, I could set up a clinic, hire an MD and begin to provide care based on the MD's plan of treatment. Of course...(read more)

License or Certificate?

Jason Marketti — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:38:00 GMT

As I was perusing the various state board websites, I noticed several states offered licenses to PTs but required the PTA to have a certificate to practice and provide therapy care. I've been awarded certificates in achievement, performance and even have...(read more)

Conditions for Licensing

Jason Marketti — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:40:00 GMT

Once again, I was searching the state board websites and came across some applications that asked whether the prospective licensee had a disease or condition that interfered with the ability to perform the essential functions of the profession. If so,...(read more)

Email Me

Jason Marketti — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:52:00 GMT

This year I want to hear from fellow PTAs. I want to know your thoughts on healthcare changes, working relationships with PTs, and your ideas about increasing the PTA education to a bachelor's level as well as your feelings towards the APTA and the PTA...(read more)

CEUs for PTAs

Jason Marketti — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:57:00 GMT

In the mail, I received several brochures advertising how to evaluate and treat multiple body parts. All therapy disciplines were invited to attend. Being a PTA, I don't evaluate people so I wonder if I could get a discount because the evaluation aspect...(read more)

PTAs and the Future

Jason Marketti — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:11:00 GMT

I'm sure there are some people who'd like to see the PTA profession disappear and have every patient treated only by a PT. And for those who feel like that, let's discuss what we should do with the PTAs. But first the United States needs to open its borders...(read more)

Total PT Immersion

Jason Marketti — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:16:00 GMT

As PTs and PTAs, we went through enough testing in school and yet we had to pass one more test to get that magical piece of paper from the licensing board. The problem is that to get that license to practice, we did not have to show any skills to the...(read more)

Joint Mobilization

Jason Marketti — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:50:00 GMT

"Spinal manipulation is not designated as being under the exclusive domain of any one specific profession or group of practitioners." So says the APTA; however, the position they take with the PT assistants is that we should not be allowed to perform...(read more)

Who's My Supervisor?

Jason Marketti — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:29:00 GMT

As I stand in "Helm's Deep" (the therapy department), I echo Theoden's words, "So it begins." The therapist I normally work with was off for the day and I needed clarification about a patient. What do I do? Can I call any therapist who is licensed in...(read more)

Time Limitations

Jason Marketti — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Let me vent about this whole system of seeing patients for a designated time in relation to reimbursements in a SNF setting. It does not work. If a patient comes in and is set at 720 minutes but we only see him for 700 minutes in the assessment reference...(read more)

Therapy Precepts

Jason Marketti — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:05:00 GMT

As I was doing some research, I discovered that some state boards have already adopted APTA precepts or at least have it on their agendas to do so. Being a non-member of the APTA, I will soon have to abide by their rules if state boards continue with...(read more)

Job Description?

Jason Marketti — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:23:00 GMT

As I was searching the Internet this weekend, I typed in "Physical Therapist Assistant." I came across some interesting descriptions of what I do, or at least what the websites think I do. The first site I came to after the search said, and I quote, "Physical...(read more)

Rock Star Status

Jason Marketti — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:55:00 GMT

Suddenly, without warning, therapy has been elevated in the SNF community. With facilities trying to recoup potential monetary loses from the brilliant move by CMS, we now rank above activities and even the hair salon. And, I might add, therapy seems...(read more)

Rules and Regulations

Jason Marketti — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:46:00 GMT

Long ago in one of the many places I worked, a PT did not feel comfortable being a supervisor to PTAs. This did not create much of a problem because there were other PTs who took on that role in the department. I did some investigation recently into what...(read more)

Guide for Conduct of the PTA

Jason Marketti — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:57:00 GMT

I am going to pick on the APTA for this session. I rarely question the APTA and I am not a member of the organization so I can do this with an "outsider's" point of view. In November 2010, a guide for conduct of the PTA was issued by the Ethics and Judicial...(read more)