1. Life as a New Professional in the Physical Therapy Field: An Open Forum to Discuss Professional and Personal Topics for Emerging Practitioners
Kevin Sanborn, PT, DPT, OCS
Brad Gant, PTA, MHA
INAPTA Fall Conference 2016

2. Learning Objectives
Know the process of sitting for physical therapy board examination and format of the test.
Understand the basic goal of physical therapy residencies and fellowships.
Know the eight specialty areas recognized by The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
Understand the opportunities for PTA’s to achieve Advanced Proficiency Pathways.
Know the steps required to sit for a clinical specialty examination and the basic format of the examination. We will also discuss the new format for maintaining specialty status.
Learn several options for repayment of student loans and strategies for reducing overall debt with reference to the APTA website.
Learn of the many opportunities to become involved in the local, state, and national APTA.

3. Kevin’s Background… 2008: Indiana University – Exercise Science
2012: IUPUI – Doctor of Physical Therapy
2013: UIndy & Body One PT – Ortho Residency
2014: OCS certification
2015: New Professional position
2016: Manager of Body One - Fishers

4. Brad’s Background
2005: University of Evansville - PTA, Exercise Science
2005: PTA at St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville, IN
2009: University of Southern Indiana - Masters of Health Administration
2009: Coordinator of Outpatient Rehab. St. Mary’s Hospital
2014: Practice Administrator, St. Mary’s Medical Group
2014: PTA Caucus Representative, IN

5. How about you???

6. Hope for this hour… TALK!!! All questions welcomed, at any time
We are ok if we get sidetracked

7. Board Examination Administered by:
THE FEDERATION OF STATE BOARDS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (FSBPT)
New this year… JOURNEY MAP
Put in your school and state of intended practice

8. Board Examination Graduate Apply for exam through licensing agency
Complete application - $100
2 passport-style photos
Official transcript
Marriage certificate if change of name
Social Security Number
Register for Exam – $400

9. Board Examination cont…
After your application is approved
Authorization to Test
Schedule exam through Prometric
$85 for PT, $70 for PTA

10. Board Basics - PT 250 multiple choice questions (200 scored)
Divided into
Systems
Musculo, Neuro, Cardio, ect.
Category
Examination
Differential Diagnosis
Intervention
Also questions about:
Professionalism, Ethics, Modalities, Safety
resources/ContentOutline_2013PTT_ pdf

11. Board Basics - PTA 200 multiple choice questions (150 scored)
Divided into
Systems
Musculo, Neuro, Cardio, ect.
Category
PT Data Collection
Diseases & Conditions that Impact Treatment
Intervention
Also questions about:
Professionalism, Ethics, Modalities, Safety
resources/ContentOutline_2013PTA_ pdf

12. Board Basics - PT 5 hours for PT, 4 hours for PTA
15 min break after section 2
Divided into sections of 50 questions
Can return to questions in the section
Once submitted, forget about it!
No penalty for wrong answers

13. Am I making you nervous?
The NPTE was developed to measure knowledge and abilities required of entry-level physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs).
Keyword(s):
ENTRY LEVEL!

14. Board Results
Results sent to jurisdictions approx. 5 business days later
Results available in 10 business days.
Raw scores converted to scale scores
600 to pass
Variation between tests
1-2 question difference

19. My Advice Take practice tests Take them early and often… PEAT PT PTA
Practice Exam and Assessment Tool PT
2 timed, 250 exams
PTA
2 timed, 200 exams
Same format as actual test
Instant feedback
$99

20. YOU PASSED!!!
Now what?
Lots of options for career progression

22. Residencies and Fellowships in PT
American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education

23. Residencies and Fellowships in PT

24. Residency Overview Directed at a specialty area
A clinical residency program is designed to substantially advance a physical therapist's expertise in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and management of patients in a defined area of clinical practice (specialty).

25. Residency Overview Learn a lot and become real smart
Focus on evidence based practice
Clinical and didactic education
You don’t know what you don’t know
All residents must have a minimum of 150 hours of 1:1 mentoring and 75 hours of didactic instruction over the course of the program

26. Residency Overview Must have a PT license Costs
Some programs will allow to start with a temporary license
Costs
Varies greatly per program
Pay tuition  full salary with benefits
APTA reduced rates
Loan forbearance or deferment
May require level of experience

27. To apply… Contact program director
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28. Residency Benefits Confidence! Marketability
Eligible to sit for specialty certification
Speed up career path
Video

29. Specialty Certification
American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
Ortho
Neuro
Sports
Cardio and Pulmonary
Women’s Health
Electrophysiology
Geriatrics
Pediatrics

30. Fellowships
A fellowship program is designed to provide greater depth within a subspecialty area (beyond specialty) than that which is covered in a residency program.
Applicants of a clinical fellowship program must possess one or more of the following qualifications:
specialist certification
completion of a residency in a specialty area, or
clinical skills within a particular specialty area.

31. Specialty Certification
As of June 2016, 20,144 individuals have been board certified as clinical specialists in physical therapy
More than 204,000 PT in the US
About 10% have a clinical specialist designation
Be recognized as an expert
Career jumpstart

32. Specialty Certification
Offered one time per year, usually in February-March
Application due in July of previous year
Eligibility to test:
PT license
2000 clinical hours in area of specialization or
Completion of a residency
Some specialties may require additional prerequisites
Cost
$1315 for APTA members
$2385 for non-APTA members

33. Test Format 200 multiple choice questions
Two, three-hour blocks of 100 questions each
Keep in mind:
Clinical based
Evidence based

34. Test Results 3 months later…
All test questions are evaluated by a committee
Ensure questions are valid and fair
Converted to a scaled score
500 results in a passing score

35. Maintenance of Specialty Certification
Recent change to this process
Certification used to be valid for 10 years
Recertify by:
Examination
Portfolio
Completion of a residency
ABPTS has found that most clinicians renew by portfolio
May not be reflective of continued education and knowledge of current, EBP

36. Maintenance of Specialty Certification
New process
In years 3, 6, and 9
Proof of 200 hours of direct patient care in area of clinical specialty
Web-based system to record professional development activities.
Need a certain amount of hours in:
Professional services
continuing education coursework
publications
presentations
clinical supervision and consultation
research
clinical instruction
Teaching
Reflective Portfolio
Year 10
Examination consisting of 100 questions

37. Specialty Certification
Make a plan
Find a study partner
Start early
Remember that questions are based on current literature and clinically based

38. APP’s for the PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways
Geriatrics, Acute Care, Pediatrics, Wound Care, Cardiopulmonary, Oncology, Orthopedics

39. APP Requirements
2000 work hours, 500 hours in the past year when applying
APTA member
Completion of 60 hours of CE in the selected content area
Mentorship with a PT who possess clinical expertise

40. APP 2 enrollment cycles August 1 (enrollment opens May 1)
February 1 (enrollment opens November 1)
enrollment fee $135
portfolio review $135
Recognized at NEXT each June, in APTA publications, website, and receive lapel pin.
Good for 10 years, then you renew the APP (same requirements of initial recognition)

41. Potential future APP areas
Sports
Women’s Health
Education
Neurology

42. Getting a Job First few years after school is crucial
Find a setting that is aligned with your personal goals, beliefs, treatment mantra, etc…
Shadow
Find mentors

43. Student Loans YIKES! Take a breath, there are options!
Do the math, make a plan
Know how much interest your loan will be accruing
Example
$50,000 student 6.5% interest = $9 per day or $267 per month

44. Student Loan Options Standard plan Graduated repayment plan
10 year repayment
Graduated repayment plan
Pay less at first and then more every 2 years
Extended repayment plans
Up to 25 years

45. Student Loan Options
Many options for current or former military members
Income based-repayment plans
Income-based repayment
Pay as you earn
Income-Contingent repayment
All these plans are capped between 10-20% of your discretionary income
20-25 years of repayment then forgiveness
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Government or Not-for-profit
120 payments
No federal income tax

46. Get the snowball rolling!
Can be overwhelming
Make a plan, work the plan
Watch it gain momentum
Do your research

47. Student Loan Options Refinance Many companies available
Stafford loans = 6.5%
Direct Loans = 7.65%
Many companies available
Earnest
SoFi

48. Get Involved Many opportunities to be active in INAPTA
District meetings
Committees
APTA dues are discounted for first 4 years after graduation
50% (if renew within 6 months after graduation)
40%, 30%, 20%
Employer may pay for APTA membership
Continuing education
22 hours every 2 years

49. Any more questions? Please contact us with any and all questions

50. References
Black LL, Jensen GM, Mostrom E, Perkins J, et al. The First Year of Practice: An Investigation of the Professional Learning and Development of Promising Novice Physical Therapists. Phys Ther , 90:
Tryssenaar J, Perkins J. From student to therapist: exploring the first year of practice. Am J Occup Ther. 2001; 55:
Jones S, Bellah C, Godges JJ. A Comparison of Professional Development and Leadership Activities Between Graduates and Non- graduates of Physical Therapy Clinical Residency Programs. Journal of Physical Therapy Education , 22(3):
Johnson L. Protect the Value of your Degree and Your Future: Understand and Prepare Your Debt for Graduation and Beyond Accessed on June 17, 2015.