As I write this message, APTA Virginia's Direct Access legislation is making its way through the Virginia Legislature. You have undoubtedly seen numerous emails asking for your help in making this a success. Our legislation, if passed, will have a substantial impact on our professional autonomy in Virginia.

 

Summary points of the bill include:

•  Removal of the 60-day time limit on Direct Access.

•  Trigger Point Dry Needling can be performed under Direct Access. 

   NO REFERRAL/PRESCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

•  Pediatric PTs can see patients who have a 504 plan under Direct Access.

 

Our Senate bill (SB 1005) has passed the Senate subcommittee 7/0, passed the committee almost unanimously (1 abstention), and will now head to the full Senate for a vote next week.

 

The House sister bill (HB 2359) has been referred to House subcommittee #1. It will be an identical bill to the one that passed the Senate committee.

 

By the time you read this, there will have been several updates. Keep an eye out for emails with ongoing information and opportunities for advocacy. Additionally, we will include sample letters that you can use to contact your elected officials and will take less than two minutes to complete. We continuously hear from delegates and senators that outreach from their constituents influences their voting decisions. YOUR LETTERS ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT! We need to make our voices heard, because I can assure you that those who oppose this legislation are doing just that.

 

For those who have already done this and continue to do so, THANK YOU!

 

Finally, as a reminder, the 2023 Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) will be in San Diego from February 23–25. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there!

 

Sincerely,

Tony Grillo, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

 

The American Physical Therapy Association is proud to announce that “physical therapist” has been ranked as the number three Best Health Care Job. U.S. News & World Report examined jobs with the largest number of projected openings from 2021 to 2031, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the top 100 jobs were ranked. In 2023, 40% of the best jobs are in health care, with physical therapy coming in at number three. Read more…

 

As a valued member of APTA Virginia, we encourage you to take advantage of our Career Center as your one-stop shop for career and talent management resources. Whether you’re a physical therapy professional navigating your career journey or a rising leader seeking to recruit and retain top talent in a highly competitive marketplace, our extensive job board, career and recruitment services, and content resources fuel both individual and organizational success.

 

APTA Virginia is now your one-stop shop for all your education and training needs. Our new education center leverages advanced technology to deliver learning that meets all your modern training needs. That is – it's bite-sized, relevant and timely to create a flexibility and convenience that best supports you and your team in acquiring new skills. Read more…

 

Your member benefits don't stop when you retire or temporarily leave the workforce. APTA Virginia offers reduced membership rates for retired and life members. Members must meet all requirements to be eligible to receive exclusive membership status. Read more…

 

Calling all students! In this presentation, we will highlight the benefits of joining as a student and the importance of maintaining membership as you become an early professional. Among our goals is to generate excitement about physical therapy research, advocacy opportunities, continuing education courses, and more! We invite you to join us on Thursday, February 2, for a brief seminar and panel on how to make the most of your membership. Read more…

 

In the past few years, have you noticed a roller coaster ride of changes to the practice of physical therapy? Just as we come to a smooth spot along the way, we are thrust into another topsy-turvy situation. Preparing for success in this uncertain and competitive healthcare environment requires us to change our approach to practice. This is why many practicing PTs pursue post-professional transitional DPT (TDPT) education. TDPT programs prepare PTs for contemporary practice by augmenting current knowledge and skills with the ability to utilize clinical reasoning and evidence in practice. Read more…

 

In 2018, the medical and work loss costs of motor vehicle accidents in Virginia exceeded 1.31 billion dollars (CDC, 2020). Motor vehicle accident prevention is the most effective method to reduce these expenses (CDC, 2020), and physical therapists can help to reduce the cost of injury and fatality. Read more…

 

If pain occurs with movement, then observation and analysis of movement are required. This course will utilize smartphone video technology slow motion analysis to identify deviant movement(s). Real-time symptom modification of deviant movement can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of movement system impairment syndromes. This approach can enhance clinicians' existing clinical toolkit and facilitate reflective learning and professional development. Read more…

 

It's a common misconception among clinicians that women's and men's pelvic issues always require internal examinations and treatment. In most cases, orthopedic physical therapists typically do not perform internal pelvic techniques, nor seek such training. Many patients present with issues assigned to both "specialties," causing them to choose management of either one or the other. As a result, this construct creates arbitrary barriers in the body and in practice that do not yield optimal results for pelvic and orthopedic patients. Read more…

Donating non-perishable food items makes a huge difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity and ensures that those in need are always fed. Consider donating as part of the Blue Ridge District's Orthopedics and Pelvic Health event. A local charity will receive the canned goods collected by students. We are currently seeking canned food items and non-perishables.

 

A sincere thank you to Katie Labuda, PT, DPT, PCS! Katie has served as the Pediatric SIG Treasurer for the past four years and her generous support is greatly appreciated. Kristin Sanders, PT, MPT, PCS was re-elected as President of the PSIG, and Lauryn Shirkey, SPT (third-year DPT student) will serve as Board Shadow for Katie Labuda as Acting Temporary Treasurer until Lauryn graduates and is licensed. The PSIG is appreciative of experience and new learners in our leadership roles! Read more…

American Physical Therapy Association
APTA has updated one of its most popular resources — the outpatient therapy fee schedule calculator — in response to changes to the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

WebPT
The terms low, moderate, and high complexity for occupational therapy evaluation CPT codes were put into place 6 years ago. Here’s a breakdown to help OTs choose the right code.

Journal of Physical Therapy Education
The APTA Academy of Education identified a need to assess the status of physical therapist assistant (PTA) education given changes in contemporary physical therapist practice and health care. In response, a task force planned a summit to engage stakeholders in formulating prioritized recommendations to advance PTA education.