Professional Development
Options
OT & PT Services
There are several professional development
options available to Heartland's PT's and OT's.
They are designed to offer a variety of experiences
that would appeal to the needs of each individual
and to encourage the development of expertise and
skill.
Conferences
Heartland encourages and assists in
attendance
at conferences to promote continuing education
In addition to assistance for in state conferences
there is a rotation system whereby each year a
percentage of the professionals in each discipline
are reimbursed for out of state expenses.
Conferences may include opportunities to collect
CEU hours for licensure requirements.
Heartland
Staff Development
Classes
Many different learning opportunities
are provided at Heartland in the form of staff
development classes. These courses are offered
during the year and over the summer on a variety of
topics. Some of them are applicable for continuance
on the pay scale. For a listing of the classes
contact Heartland Staff Development. (Any classes
to be used for advancement on the salary scale must
first be submitted for approval using the Course
Approval Form.)
Independent Study
If you have an area or skill that you
wish to develop that is appropriate to your job at
Heartland you may choose, with the supervisor's
approval and assistance, a plan of independent
study. This plan may involve reading, attending
conferences, enlisting the assistance of your
coworkers, making presentations, etc. Through
independent study you can develop the area of and
serve as a resource to your peers.
Job Shadowing
This activity can be seen as a less
detailed or specific form of mentoring. Choose a
therapist who has the skills, attitudes,
experiences, caseloads, etc. that would be of
interest to you. Plan a day to accompany them to
see them in "action". Make sure that the day is
scheduled to include items of interest to you. You
may choose to shadow more than one colleague to see
a variety of styles and approaches. Again, let your
PT/OT supervisor know the specifics of your
plan.
Mentoring For
Experienced Therapists
A therapist may choose a peer who has
developed expertise in, or knowledge of, an area of
interest. The mentee should contact the therapist
with whom they wish to establish the mentoring
process to determine willingness and
appropriateness of the proposed relationship. They
set up a list of goals and expectations as well as
time tables. It may be a long term relationship or
a more brief contact or demonstration. Mentoring
plans require PT/OT supervisor approval.
Phase
III
Phase III is a peer-driven process that
has provided a means for practitioners to develop
projects that will enhance their professional
development. A state funded process allows
reimbursement for the extra effort involved. These
projects are related to personal goals, discipline
goals, division goals, and Phase III goals. There
is an application process for each participant and
orientation for those who are new to Phase III.
Professional
Committees
Serving in a professional organization
affords many opportunities for professional
development and is highly encouraged.
PT/OT Discipline
Meetings
We meet as a staff several times a year
to discuss developments, gather new ideas, and
share information. You are encouraged to bring
questions, share ideas, present case studies, and
report information from conferences attended.
Research
Research endeavors are strongly promoted
by Heartland. They may take the form of individual
or group work within Heartland or be completed as
part of a larger group such as those coordinated by
the Department of Education. Some research ideas
may qualify as Phase III projects.
Teaching
Opportunities
There are many teaching opportunities available
both within Heartland and in the surrounding areas.
At Heartland, staff members are encouraged to
submit ideas for various courses that they are
qualified to teach. Universities and colleges in
the area look to Heartland for guest lecturers to
present on topics related to occupational and
physical therapy in the educational setting. The
PT's and OT's may be clinical instructors at
Heartland where several formal affiliations with
university therapy programs have been
established.
University and College
Courses
Several institutions of higher learning are located
in or have programs within the borders served by
the Heartland Area Education Agency. They offer
many courses that can promote professional
development and may be used for advancement on the
salary schedule if approved following submission of
the Course Approval form.
Updated 3-25-00
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