Adaptive Cars for wheelchair users

Check out this website! It has new and used adaptive cars, vans, etc. for wheelchair users who want a more independent way to get around. They are receiving fantastic reviews. Keep this in mind as you make your way into the "real world", it may come in handy for some of your patients.

http://www.fminow.com/

Questionnaires and Surveys for PTs & PTAs

Here is a great site with pretty much every imaginable questionnaire, scale, or survey imaginable. Check it out! There is A-Z including pain scales, disability questionnaires, etc. Perhaps keep this site as one of your "favorites"- it will probably come in handy during internships! :)

https://www.cebp.nl/?NODE=77&SUBNODE=1124

Follow us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/group.PTWASSIG

Combined Sections Meeting Scholarship!

Fellow PT students!!

Have you wanted to attend the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) but can't because you're living on a super tight budget? If you are interested in attending CSM this year but are held up by the cost...there is a new scholarship available this year!! The winner will be awarded with conference registration and $500 towards expenses to attend CSM.

CSM is a spectacular event that brings together more than 7,500 physical therapy professionals and students from around the nation for 5 stimulating days of amazing workshops, lots of networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall filled with enough swag to bring home to your friends!

The link below is for an application (due Dec 1, 2010):

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Current_Students&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76667

Did I forget to mention that this year CSM is being held Feb 9-12, 2011 in New Orleans?
Don't miss this opportunity! Hope to see you there!

SSIG Meeting, 7:30am Saturday, Oct 30

SSIG meeting during Roundtable breakfast at the Fall PTWA Conference.

Greater Tacoma Convention Center

Saturday, October 30th, 7:30am

Time to elect and introduce 2010 - 2011 officers and decide what the SSIG should focus on this year should be.

SSIG will have an information table Friday & Saturday of the conference. If you are available to staff the table for 1-2 hours between 9am - 4:30pm either/both days (as in sit and do homework and we'll provide you with a lovely participation certificate/letter at your request), please email: students.ptwa@gmail.com

Turn Facebook into a learning experience...

Friend the Facebook page "Anatomy-Physiotherapy" here:  http://www.facebook.com/Anatomy-Physiotherapy

Near daily updates, conclusions, pictures or film clips are posted for promoting Evidence Based Practice.  As a fan/friend of this page, you can get a bit smarter everyday with just a few seconds reading on your PC or smartphone.

Started by: Marc Schmitz, MSc, 

Lecturer of Physiotherapy and Anatomy

Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Re-locating for an internship? Going on vacation?

APTA Members get a discount on car and truck rental services.

Budget offers a discount of 5%-25% on daily, weekly, weekend, and truck rentals. Call (800) 455-2848 for more details.

Hertz: Earn one free rental day for every five qualified rentals. Call (800) 654-8216 for more details.

PTWA offers student sponsorship for conferences

FALL PTWA CONFERENCE
GREATER TACOMA CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 29-30

Lunch is provided at the PTWA Chapter meeting on Saturday October 30, 2010. Even if you choose not to attend conference courses this year ($60/day for PT/PTA students if received by Oct 15), students are strongly encouraged to attend the Saturday chapter meeting in order to stay involved with PTWA activity and up to date on current issues in our state.

As we've blogged previously, the facility/lunches are costly, but PTWA is doing everything they can to encourage student involvement. PTWA now provides a checkbox on conference registration forms to "sponsor a student meal" for the conference. Students are always warmly welcomed and encouraged to become involved with PTWA and this is another illustration of that support! Thanks PTWA!

Register for the Fall 2010 conference by October 15 for the discounted rate:
http://ptwa.org/Content/Conference/Conference.htm

APTA State & Government Affairs - 2010 in PORTLAND, OR!

Make plans today to attend APTA's State Government Affairs Forum in Portland, Oregon, from Sunday, September 26 to Tuesday, September 28 at the Hilton Portland.

This event is designed to increase your involvement in and knowledge of state legislative issues that have an impact on the practice of physical therapy, and to improve your advocacy efforts at the state level. You will hear from influential public policy makers and other PT advocates, collaborate with colleagues in developing and improving your component’s advocacy efforts, and network with other professionals from across the country.

Click here to register: www.apta.org/SGAF

PTWA Fall Conference: Registration now open!

Click Here to Register and fill your PT Toolbox with these great courses!

Practical Strategies for Ethical Decision Making: Critical Information for Clinicians
Ruth B. Purtilo, PT, BS, PhD, FAPTA
Friday, October 29 –– Six contact credit hours, 0.6 CEU


Linked: Breathing and Postural Control
Mary Massery, PT, DPT
Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30 –– Twelve contact credit hours, 1.2 CEU

Payment and Compliance Tools
John Wallace, PT, MS, OCS
Saturday, October 30 –– Six contact credit hours, 0.6 CEU

Have a Heart, Keep your Exercise Prescriptions Safe and Effective: PTA Cardiopulmonary Course
Diane Madras, PT, PhD and David Kennedy, PT, MS, CCS
Saturday, October 30 –– Six contact credit hours, 0.6 CEU

Register now for National Student Conclave: Oct 29-31

http://www.apta.org/NSC

Learn beyond the classroom.

Network with students and practitioners from across the nation that share your interests.

Explore job opportunities and new technology.

Encounter experienced APTA members with tips to polish your résumé and interviewing skills.

Discover your niche in PT through interactive seminars led by the profession's best and brightest. essions highlighting 9 clinical areas!

Vote! Interview prospective leaders and elect new representatives for the Student Assembly Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. Your voice is crucial!


The 2010-2011 Student Assembly Slate of Candidates has been posted - check out the link below. Candidate statements are also available for your reading pleasure.
http://www.apta.org/StudentAssemblyCandidates

Spinal Manipulation - Student Survey

If you aren't already aware, current legislation prohibits physical therapists from practicing spinal manipulation in WA state, even though it is a requirement of CAPTE for our DPT programs to teach us this skill. PTs in Washington State are working hard with PTWA, legislators, and lobbyists to turn this around. Input from current students will give us more fuel for the fight, since public tax dollars go into a lot of our educations!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PQN9NB8

Please take 2 minutes to complete this survey about spinal manipulation legislation in WA state. The survey will close on SUNDAY, JULY 18. Email students.ptwa@gmail.com if you have any questions!

2010 APTA House of Delegates

The APTA's 66th session of the House of Delegates took place June 14th - 16th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

What is HOD?
HOD is the highest policy-making body of the APTA. It is comprised of 401 chapter voting delegates and many other section, assembly, and caucus non-voting delegates. The number of voting chapter delegates is determined each year based on membership numbers. Our very own Student Assembly delegate, Efosa Guobadia (University of Scranton, DPT 2010) sits in the delegation and is able to provide a voice to the students of the nation. The Washington State delegation consists of 14 delegates and two alternate delegates.

What happens at HOD?
APTA HOD functions a lot like a meeting of the United States Congress. The delegates spend countless hours prior to HOD preparing for and discussing motions brought forward by APTA members or components (state chapters, etc). Each component may decide to stand in support of a particular motion, called an "RC", or offer the pro/con viewpoint of the APTA members they represent. After discussion a vote takes place among the 401 voting delegates. Motions that involve an APTA by-laws change require a two-thirds majority, other motions require a simple majority.

There are also elections held prior to the HOD for APTA Board of Directors positions. This year, Roger Herr, a Seattle PT and delegate from Washington State, succeeded in his campaign to run for APTA Board of Directors. Congratulations Roger!!

APTA Members Mentoring Members

Many of us probably have academic advisers through our DPT programs. Do you have a professional adviser? Well, did you know APTA provides a mentoring service to members?

This mentoring service is available to all APTA members, whether they are students, new professionals, and even to experienced PTs. You can do a handy little search by PT name, by state, by specialty and/or a whole mess 'o different keywords.
This can be greatly beneficial if you are interested in a specialty area of PT and need some advice on how to get there. Perhaps you're browsing different specialty areas, or even just trying to peruse the different primary areas of PT.

Click below for more information and to find yourself an APTA mentor!

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Mentoring

Federal Advocacy Forum Report - Student Loan Legislation

Nearly 200 PTs, PTAs, and PT/PTA students visited our national capitol in Washington, D.C. at the end of April this year to speak with legislators about supporting issues that affect PTs and students around the country. About 20% of attendees this year were STUDENTS! That is a fantastic number.
A major issue that PTs are lobbying for now pertains to students. We are asking for the right of PTs to participate in an already existing program through the National Health Service Corps (http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/), under which graduates may qualify for up to $50,000 worth of loan forgiveness for working in an under-served area.
Other issues at the federal level include: Medicare Direct Access - (H.R. 1829/ S. 950), Medicare Therapy Cap Repeal - (H.R. 43 / S. 46), and Veterans PT Services Improvement Act (H.R. 1036).

Janna Ott, Eastern Washington University student from the class of 2011 had this to say about the APTA Federal Advocacy Forum:

It is so easy to be oblivious to the issues of our profession when you are stuck in the "bubble" of school. However, attending the APTA forum was a fabulous way to learn about the Health Care Reform and the issues facing physical therapists. I was rejuvenated by the camaraderie of physical therapists from all over the country and inspired by participating in the processes of our government and the positive responses from most of my senators & representatives. Finally, it was wonderful to network with other students and to learn about the ways we can be involved (such as running for APTA student officer positions).

Click here to join PTeam, and get up-to-date legislative action alerts and easy links to send your legislators requests for support on the issues that affect physical therapy: www.apta.org/pteam/
For more information about how you can participate in legislative issues that pertain to students, email: students.ptwa@gmail.com

Free Trip to 2010 Private Practice Conference

Dear PT Student,

PPS is sponsoring a Student Business Concept Contest for all PT students in their last year of PT school. This is your opportunity to win a complimentary registration, travel expense and lodging (a $1,700 value) to the Private Practice Section (PPS) 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition in Washington, DC, November 3-6, 2010.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: Monday, May 3

PPS Annual Conference attendees participate in quality, business focused, educational programming. Take advantage of unparalleled networking opportunities!

Two winners of the essay contest will each receive:

• Complimentary conference registration
• Hotel accommodations for three nights
• Up to $500 toward air fare

To enter the contest submit

• An original business idea (product, service or concept) that is a viable business option for private practitioners
• Description of the product, service or concept
• Target population
• Marketing plan
• Budget
  

Submit your entry by email to: chriscollins@apta.org or mail to: PPS/APTA, 1055 N Fairfax St, Ste 100, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Questions? Contact the Private Practice Section office at 800.517.1167 or chriscollins@apta.org

WA Students attending APTA Federal Advocacy Forum

Two students will be attending the APTA Federal Advocacy Forum this weekend with PTWA. Janna Ott, Eastern Washington University DPT c/o 2011 and Sarah McDonel, University of Washington DPT c/o 2011. They will be meeting with legislators to discuss the PT perspective on:

• Medicare Direct Access - (H.R. 1829/ S. 950)
• Medicare Therapy Cap Repeal - (H.R. 43 / S. 46)
  
• Student Loan Repayment Under the National Health Services Corps (H.R. 988/ S. 1057)
• Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act (H.R. 1036)

Click here to read more about these bills: http://www.apta.org/Current_Legislation

Recent sSIG activity!

sSIG held a meeting Saturday, April 17th at the PTWA Spring Conference. The sSIG voted unanimously to include professional PTs who are students pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation as members of sSIG.
The sSIG also had an information table both Friday and Saturday of the conference with information for students and new grads, a "vote for a logo" poll, and other information.
The winning logo will be announced soon! sSIG hopes to use the logo to increase knowledge and recognition of the sSIG and for future fundraising activities.

POPTS... Lock, and Drop It?

Since as far back as the ‘70s, APTA has had a strong stance against physician-owned physical therapy services. POPTS has become synonymous with “referral for profit” (RFP). RFP describe situations in which a referring doctor refers a patient for PT and stands to receive a financial gain from the referral. If you are like many students you may be wondering, what’s the big deal?

Some concerns about RFP/POPTS:
· RFP can lead to physicians having undue influence on the clinical judgment of a PT and can make our profession appear to be an ancillary service (along the lines of x-ray services, massage, etc.). This negates all the work our profession has done to become more autonomous.
· The financial incentives may lead to a conflict of interest, because the doctor employs the PT or receives financial incentives that may lead to an avoidable conflict of interest since the doctor receives money for each referral. Because the doctor contracts or employs the PT, he would directly profit from every patient he self-refers. This can then lead to excessive or unnecessary procedures and treatment durations. RFP can also lead to “cherry-picking” patients with well-paying insurances.

How do you identify a RFP or POPTS clinic? If you can answer, “yes” to any of the following:
· Does the PT work directly for a Physician practice?
· Does a physician own a part of the practice?
· Does a physician rent the PT practice space for an above-market rate? Or based on the volume of treatments provided?
· If you’re not sure, ASK! Ask the clinic who the owner is and where they get referrals.

What are the obligations if you discover such a practice?

“The APTA Code of Ethics states that it is the obligation of the PT to inform his or her patients when the patient’s referral is from a physician who has a financial interest in the physical therapy service.”
That is, your obligation is to provide the best care to your patients, including notifying them of their right to be informed and choose their healthcare provider. Your responsibility is also to your profession, and you should inform your state PT association if you suspect a clinic of participating in RFP.
On the flipside, don’t attack clinics or call them out for being unethical - APTA has noted a distinction regarding ethics and has defined POPTS/RFP as bad policy, but not necessarily unethical. Contact the PTWA RFP Committee to get involved and stay informed as this issue is still evolving with local litigation in progress and the nationwide fight. More information is available through APTA RFP/POPTS resource center: http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=State_Gov_t_Affairs&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=311&ContentID=37286

Post contributed by Senayet Woldemariam, SPT
President, UW DPT 2011
Vice President, SSIG

SSIG Meeting at PTWA Spring 2010

Student SIG will have an information table at the PTWA Spring Conference this Friday and Saturday. Come by and check out what we're doing! Email students.ptwa@gmail.com to help staff the table!

MEETING: 2pm (right after the PTWA chapter business meeting) outside the ballrooms.
We will be sharing more information about what SSIG is, hearing from you on what SSIG should be doing, handing out information on student loan forgiveness programs, how to make the most out of your clinical experience and more! Stop by the SSIG table or the info desk at the conference for more information.

Education FYI - Vision 2020

Doctor of Physical Therapy Accreditation
As many of you are very familiar with, most educational preparation for PTs is at the graduate doctoral level (DPT). But did you know that as of 2016, CAPTE will no longer accredit programs that are not at the DPT level? This is part of the APTA strategic plan that by the year 2020 "physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health." Currently, only eight accredited programs in the U.S. are not at the DPT level, including California State University campuses among others.

Why don't California State Universities offer a DPT?
The state of California requires legislative approval for the California State University campuses to award any doctoral degree, including the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This does not, however, affect licensure eligibility, or practice potential of CSU graduates. CSU's Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and the program meets the same rigorous standards and outcomes that all accredited DPT programs meet. Therefore, graduates are eligible for licensure in any state.
Efforts to change these legal restrictions are ongoing by several academic disciplines (including Physical Therapy) within the California State University System.

URGENT! Student Needed for APTA Federal Advocacy Forum

Students – We need you at the Federal Advocacy Fourm in Washington DC April 25th – 27th.

PTWA is taking on the APTA student advocacy challenge!

Partial funding from PTWA for student attendance is available to those who act soon. Time is short and we urgently need your response by March 3rd. We are particularly interested in having student representatives who live in the 5th Congressional district – Representative Cathy McMorris- Rodgers and in the 8th district, Representative Dave Reichert. Those living in other districts are still encouraged to respond.

What is the Federal Advocacy Forum?
Federal Advocacy Forum is the annual 2 and ½ day APTA hosted conference culminating in an exciting day on Captiol Hill for visits with our senators and representatives on Capitol Hill, Tuesday April 27th. Participants will have extensive briefing by APTA Government Affairs staff to include educational sessions on current legislative bill priorities for physical therapists and physical therapy patients along with presentations by members of congress and other distinguished guest speakers.

Who attends the Forum?
All members are welcome to attend. PTWA has had good representation at the Advocacy forum so your legislative visits will include a mentor.

2 Options for attending!
This year there are two ways you can attend the Advocacy Forum. Forum is partially funded by PTWA/APTA for registration and housing. (actual amounts subject to the number of requests). There is good availability for shared lodging.

Student Full Forum – $100 registration - Attend Sun 4/25 afternoon through TueS 4/27 at 4 pm.
Student Partial Forum - $75.00 registration - Attend Mon afternoon 4/26 through Tuesday 4/27 at 4 pm. (listed on website as Captiol Hill day only)

$140 per night lodging approximate reduced APTA rate (Crowne Plaza in Alexandria VA).

Who do I contact, and how soon?
Please call/email if interested and able to attend. Email sharonemc@comcast.net or call 206-419-4252 your basic contact information, name, phone to the PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison, Sharon McCallum and a good time to reach you by phone in the next few days.

Sharon will explain the arrangements for PTWA funding in greater detail and help process the information for you to be our PTWA student key contact.
Please do not make any arrangements prior to speaking with Sharon McCallum, PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison.

Other amenities! April is cherry blossom time in Washington DC. Weather can range from warm to a cool spring day. Typically the conference includes a few light meals a social evening, often at a DC museum or other point of interest, with light snacks and a breakfast on Captiol Hill.

CSM - share your experiences!

There was great representation from WA PT students this weekend at the Combined Sections Meeting of APTA in sunny San Diego, CA. The conference took place over three days, February 18-20, with programming, education courses, poster and research presentations from all areas of PT and beyond! Hundreds of students attended from all over the nation.

SSIG would like to see your pictures and hear your comments! Please email your best memories and photos to students.ptwa@gmail.com and they may be posted to this blog! Thank-you!

SSIG Fundraising Activity

The SSIG Board of Directors have been dialoguing constantly about how to best serve WA students. Some of the ideas currently on the table regard fund raising and development of a treasury:

• 50/50 Raffle at PTWA spring conference
  
• Recruiting corporate/private PT sponsors
• Monetary support of students to local/national PT conferences
• Development of a SSIG logo for T-shirts

Would you like to get more involved with SSIG activity to advance the education and profession of Physical Therapy? Email students.ptwa@gmail.com now!

Spring 2010 PTWA Conference Costs

SPRING PTWA CONFERENCE
GREATER TACOMA CONVENTION CENTER
APRIL 16-17

When considering a PTWA Conference, the ongoing dialogue amongst students often comes down to cost. Yes, membership costs money ($80 - APTA dues, PTWA does not charge extra for student membership, but many states do!). Yes, the PTWA Conferences cost money ($60 per day advance registration). Unfortunately these conferences cost a lot to put on, and in fact, our student registration cost doesn't even cover the cost of our food for the day! So, in reality we are still getting a significant break and should take advantage of it while we can.

Attending conferences can be a lot of fun! It is a great networking opportunity, and getting out of the classroom and hearing about the issues we will be faced with when we graduate is invaluable. There is always tons of free stuff - pens, goniometers, tape measures, book-bags, everything! Also, many of the continuing education courses are great review sessions for classes you are currently in, upcoming exams, and the national licensing exam.

If you've noticed, PTWA Conference registration did go up this Spring, and does every year. The PTWA budget has been slashed all over the place to try to protect students, but they have to continue inching toward at least covering the cost of food. Sometimes your school may help pay for conference costs, and if you're an APTA section or SIG member (ie: Acute Care Section, Pediatrics Section, Private Practice SIG) they may also be an avenue for funding to at least ask. As mom always said, "No never hurt anybody." So, pony up the extra dough, contact some folks for possible financial support, get registered, and see you in April.

More info here: http://ptwa.org/Content/Conference/Conference.htm

Conference Programming:
Pharmaco-Therapeutics presented by David Hachey, MD
Management of Diabetes presented by Mary Sinnott, PT, DPT, MEd
The Art and Science of Running presented by Michael Hansen, PT
Legal Issues and Clincal Performance presented by Steve Milam, JD

Legislative Impact Day

On January 28, 2010, PTs, PTAs, PT Students, PTA Students, administrative staff and even some OTs, massage therapists and others attended PTWA Legislative Impact Day in Olympia, WA to meet with Senators and Representatives about the current spinal manipulation legislation.

Currently, physical therapists in WA are not allowed to perform joint manipulations to the spine. About 750 supporters marched on the Capitol last Thursday to talk about changing that legislation.

The Student Special Interest Group also held a meeting on Legislative Impact Day, with about 50 students in attendance from UW, UPS, and EWU. Many other PT and PTA students attended Legislative Impact Day and met with their Senators and Representatives during that time.

Techie needed

Are there any fabulous (or "pretty good") web designers out there who might be interested in creating a PTWA Student Special Interest Group website? The blog is fantastic, but a website would be an even better way to communicate and make information/important links available to students.

Please email: students.ptwa@gmail.com

Cultural Competency Task Force

Student SIG is looking for a student representative to sit on the Cultural Competency Task Force set up by PTWA at the last Board of Directors Meeting.

The Cultural Competency Task Force will be developing and implementing plans for increasing cultural compentence in the physical therapy profession.

Interested persons should contact students.ptwa@gmail.com and SSIG will put you in touch with the right people!

NSC is an annual conference focusing on student and professional development in PT including our current and future scope of practice.
The following information was gathered by students in attendance at NSC this year!
_____________________________________________________________

Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) is another annual conference in February focusing more on specializations (sections) within PT
Specializations/Sections in PT: There are many clinical specialties that we can pursue once graduating which can help refine and progress our practice and careers:
• Acute Care
• Aquatic PT
• Cardio & Pulmonary PT
• Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management
• Education
• Federal PT
• Geriatrics
• Hand Rehabilitation
• Health Policy and Administration
• Home Health
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Orthopedic
• Pediatrics
• Private Practice
• Research
• Sports PT
• Women's Health

o To become an APTA certified clinical specialist in one of these areas (take pediatrics for example) you must have 2,000 hrs direct pt care, 500 of which must be in the last year, your emergency care certification, ACLS certification, and patient reports to qualify to take the test. Once you have taken and passed the test the certification is good for 10 years

o It often takes at least 3-5 years to accrue these hours but there are also paid fellowship and residency programs

o Of the specialties orthopedic specialists are most common while pediatric, sports, and cardiopulmonary are far more uncommon

o Being a certified specialist in an area typically raises your pay at least several $1000/year, you're recognized as a specialist in your field and receive more referrals from colleagues in your area, and your job title typically gets bumped up (so say from PT I to PT II)

o About half of employers will subsidize or pay for the exam and certification

o Visit http://www.apta.org/specialist_certification for more info
_________________________________________________________

APTA members may access Open Door and Hooked on Evidence through www.apta.org
o These sites give access to tons of full-text articles/journals that we may have access to as students (but may not as practitioners).
o These resources ensure that we stay up to date with the literature, aiding us in providing evidence-based practice after we graduate.
_________________________________________________________

Clinical Residency and Fellowship Programs:
D.S.P. (Description of specialty practice): defines what a specialist does, recommended way to specialize in an area

Residency: Planned program of post professional education to advance preparation of care in a DEFINED area. It is an advanced mentoring program.
1500 hours
9-36 mo of training
Based on DSP
Board Based
Prepares for resident exam

Fellowship: Advanced curriculum in a sub-specialty (eg. manual therapy, movement science, hand, DIV1 athletics, etc)
1000 hours
6 - 36 months of training
Based on DSP
Validated Practice Analysis
Subspecialty focus
Advanced specialized practice
__________________________________

Federal Physical Therapy:

1. Military PT: goal is to return pt to activity, direct access, PT may be only med provider on mission, rehab from war-TBI & amputation
2. US Public Health Service: under surgeon general, needs to be scientific not political, van work for a variety of agencies-humanitarian or response to natural disasters
3. Federal Bureau of Prisons: Musculoskeletal complaints, DM complications, cardiac, obesity, prevent inmates from needing outside medical appointments
4. Indian Health Services: tribes and Alaska natives. $25,000 in loan repayment/year until student loans are paid off.
5. Veterans Administration

Passing the Licensure Exam (NPTE):

Licensing authority = fsbpt.org
• Process: Apply to jurisdiction(your state), and apply online in conjunction with application to jurisdiction, register at the prometric center and take the NPTE
National PT Exam: 250 questions, 5 hours, 50 questions don’t count (=pre-test questions)
Hints:
-***READ the HANDBOOK
-Take the NPTE early, right after you graduate, best likelihood of passing right after graduation
-Don’t register until you are ready. You have a 60 day window to schedule your test at the testing center after your jurisdiction application is accepted.



Thanks to Catherine Jhung, SPT & Jon Younger, SPT (University of Washington, DPT 2011) for the info!