PTA Blog Talk : Student Issues and News

Future Care

Jason Marketti — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:50:00 GMT

I've read about social security running out of money, reduced reimbursement rates, a decrease in the number of qualified providers, quicker discharges and supposedly better recovery after surgery. Where does this leave everyone? Social security has to...(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)

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)

Non-Compete Clause

Jason Marketti — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:39:00 GMT

Something to watch for while negotiating a therapy job is the non-compete clause employers might try to get you to sign. Do not sign it. Brock Lesnar (of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts fame) signed one with the WWE and it almost prevented...(read more)

Before Therapy

Jason Marketti — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:51:00 GMT

I am asked occasionally what I did before I got into therapy. Often I will make up some James Bond action job with a sprinkle of Nora Roberts romance mixed in for good measure. But then I am asked, "Seriously, what did you really do?" My first paying...(read more)

The Doctor Patient

Jason Marketti — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:37:00 GMT

I have had the pleasure of working with several doctors, some MDs but mostly PhDs. In the early stages of my professional career, I was intimidated by some of them and I'm sure they knew that based on how nervous I appeared to be. Lately though I have...(read more)

Drug Testing

Jason Marketti — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:57:00 GMT

Should mandatory drug testing be a prerequisite to becoming licensed, along with random drug testing for all health professionals? Maybe. My stance on legalizing marijuana can be controversial and until the federal laws change, the status of any drug...(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)

My Conference

Jason Marketti — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:58:00 GMT

I recently attended my first "live" conference in more than 10 years. It was one of the most informative and action-packed adventures I've had. I was able to connect with people, collect numbers, share experiences and sample some new technology that is...(read more)

Evidence Search

Jason Marketti — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:06:00 GMT

If I had evidence that can prove a certain modality does not work as prescribed, would you still use it? And if a large insurance company deemed a treatment "experimental and investigational" and refused reimbursement for it, would you still use it? I...(read more)

Career Day

Jason Marketti — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:59:00 GMT

My son recently went on an adventure to learn about careers. Since there was not a slot for him at his first choice, he was placed in an outpatient therapy clinic. The first thing he noticed was everyone being extremely friendly. The therapists at the...(read more)

Observational Mobility

Jason Marketti — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:11:00 GMT

I am a gait enthusiast. I will observe gait wherever I am until I get a sharp jab in my ribs from my wife. I try so hard to explain the gait cycle to her and the pelvic tilt and reciprocal upper- and lower-leg motions but she never buys it and I get the...(read more)