"Physical therapy is not a subspecialty of the medical profession and physical therapists are not medical doctors; we are a separate profession that provides a unique service that physicians are unable and untrained to provide."

Letter to the AMA from the APTA, Dec 2009

Thursday, April 25, 2013

New Florida state legislation threatens Physical Therapist Assistant education

"Hi, my name is Tim and I'm in the Senator's district. I'm calling today to ask the Senator to oppose Florida House Bill 1071."

"Ok", said the voice on the other end of the line. "What's your zip code?"

"34222", I said.

"Ok, got it. Thanks for calling. I'll make sure the Senator gets this", said the voice.

"Ok, thank you."  I said and I hung up.

Well, that was easy.  I also sent an e-mail to my Senator asking him to oppose Florida House Bill 1071 (CS/HB 1071).

According to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA), HB 1071 is legislation originally intended to address a number of glitches in current law affecting the accrediting of healthcare providers and hospitals. HB 1071 has passed the Florida House of Representatives on April 24th, 2013. Unfortunately the legislation was amended on the House floor prior to passage and language was added to the bill that is problematic for the Physical Therapist profession. The legislation will now be considered by the Florida Senate.

The problematic amendment adds NEW language to the Florida Physical Therapy Practice Act (licensure law) that addresses physical therapist assistant education and licensing requirements. Specifically the new language could allow for individuals who have graduated from schools NOT accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to sit for the PTA licensure exam!

This language is extremely problematic for a number of reasons and was added without consultation from FPTA. The proposed change would undermine the CAPTE accreditation currently required for all U.S. PT and PTA schools offering education and training of students seeking examination and licensure. If enacted, this language could open the floodgates for entities who are not experts in physical therapy, nor meet the quality standards of CAPTE to offer “PTA educational degrees” in the state of Florida.

The Florida Physical Therapy Association is strongly OPPOSED to this amendment.

Accrediting agencies like CAPTE hold programs to high standards that have been informed by multiple stakeholders inside and outside of the profession that guide quality student training - this is in the best interest of the public safety and patient care. Relaxing accreditation requirements could diminish the current levels of care protecting Floridians requiring physical therapy rehabilitative and habilitative care.

URGENT ACTION NEEED NOW!

Please click on the following internet link to send an email to your state senator in Tallahassee on this important issue. It’s easy and only takes a couple of minutes – the email is already prepared for you. The message to your state senator will urge him or her to OPPOSE CS/HB 1071 unless this problematic language is deleted from the bill. In addition, the message will ask them to oppose any amendments to SB 594 and SB 966 changing PTA educational accreditation:

CLICK HERE

Please be sure to follow up with a phone call to your state senator as well.
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Kenya Timberlake's avatar

Kenya Timberlake · 596 weeks ago

I do not disagree with this bill. There are allot of students that graduate from cape accredited schools that are not experts! Some don't know what the hell they are doing! Second, most of the PTA program classes are held during the day. There are students who work and have families . Most of these people need to attend night classes, but because of people like you ( who feel that accreditation is everything) they can't. If they Can pass the state boards just like the CAPTE students , why is accreditation so important? CAPTE doesn't give An 100% guarantee that those students know what they are doing! This is ridiculous! Give these students a chance to succeed! You never know ! Done of the students in these non CAPTE programs might already b in the
medical field and decided to make a change! How do u know?! U DON'T!
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carla hernandez 's avatar

carla hernandez · 596 weeks ago

I do not oppose HB 1071! I agree with u ms. Kenya. CAPTE CAN'T GIVE AN 100% GUARANTEE that their students are competent! The students should have a chance to sit for the boards just like everyone else. Mr. Tim give the students a chance. We wonder why there is so much crime in the world. Its because of these type of stipulations. Some people try to get ahead in life but they can't because they always run into unnecessary obstacles like this. I'm happy that Florida passed this bill! Stop holding working , and single moms ( who are also students) back!!! Hooray for.HB 1071!
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rony59716 2p · 593 weeks ago

Thanks for post this article.We learn many things from it
Physical Therapist Cascades
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elsie's avatar

elsie · 591 weeks ago

I am a member of the APTA and FPTA. I have not received a petition or an email or even a letter about this issue . I am under the impression( and I could be completely wrong) that this could be overturned in January if it is fought for. I don't see our organization fighting for this or trying to get it changed. I believe this is nothing more than a "happy accident" for APTA. Since the addition of the DPT program PTA's have been losing ground in the job market, There is a school on every corner and now Non CAPTE. I do not feel protected by my organization and actually feel betrayed. I feel as though every effort is being made to promote the PT, and push the PTA out of existence.
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Yane's avatar

Yane · 571 weeks ago

Good evening! I am currently studying PTA from a non CAPTE program. My teacher is graduated from a CAPTE program.
So, basically, those who oppose to the non capte program are diminishing the ability of those professors who teach us in class?
My conclusion is: If my professor is a CAPTE graduated and it is the one teaching us the same ways they were instructed it is contradictory to say that those students are not going to receive the same knowledge and the same material.
Cordially,
A non-capte student.
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timrichpt 1p · 571 weeks ago

Florida health facilities cannot hire PTA students from non-CAPTE accredited educational programs because Medicare will not pay for services delivered by these licensed para-professionals.
4 replies · active 544 weeks ago
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Michy's avatar

Michy · 557 weeks ago

I am not one to post comments ever! I do have to agree with the current law and I have witnessed myself that a pta from a non capte acredited school has made a huge impact in my life! My grandmother is seen weekly by Patricia the best PTA ever! In a conversation last week about this new law, she mentioned that her school was not capte accredited! Not only is patty extremely good at what she does, she has a passion for it and does it impeccably... She passed the same board every other pta passes accredited or not! I wouldn't trade patty for any type of acredited pta! And my grandmother won't take therapy from anyone else. The board is the test that determines if a student is qualified to practice or not... In acredited schools as in non accredited schools students are given a chance to sit for the board 5 time I heard.... Some make it and some don't... From whatever school you graduate from... Passing the boards is all in the student ! I'm against capte accreditation!
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Yane's avatar

Yane · 551 weeks ago

I have been reading all these posts about CAPTE and non-capte and my impression is that CAPTE graduated are in fear that there are many new schools offering the program without the complications of a waiting list and the flexibility on their schedule. I have the impression that CAPTE graduate’s concern is that either they might lose job offers or their salary is going to lower from what they were making before the new law brought the opportunity to more students. So all this controversy is not about "the safety of their patients" how you claim but it has an ulterior motive and is that all of you are only trying to defend the ground that you had so far. And it is fine. I completely understand. As for the safety of the patients; rest assure that our non capte program is as rigorous as the CAPTE program, we receive the same Anatomy; Kinesiology and all the same classes and we use the same recourses to prepare for the same board that CAPTE students take. (1)
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Yane's avatar

Yane · 551 weeks ago

During my clinical rotations I have been able to interact with CAPTE professionals that have forgotten that with a hip replacement the patient cannot cross their legs, I have also seen very good professionals from CAPTE programs. As well as I have seen excellent PTA professionals from their native countries that saw the opportunity of getting their US license through a flexible program and are even more capable than the ones around them. Bottom line, it is not the accreditation who defines the student. The student is the one that defines the profession.
I used to work for medical clinics, and our CAPTE employees were very unprofessional, the same that take unethical decisions putting the safety of the patients at risk. Would be wise to say that just because they came from CAPTE, that program was responsible for their behavior? To be just is not the program, is the individual making those decisions the sole responsible. I have faith that all these controversy will cease when we are given the opportunity to demonstrate that we are as committed and as capable to do our job in a caring manner as to those who are able to do the same from CAPTE programs. (2)
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Yane's avatar

Yane · 551 weeks ago

Lastly it is not the school, it is not the director of the school and their past personal problems, it is not the accreditation; IT IS THE STUDENT the one who has to prove that the safety of their patients is a priority. And our class has made that our ultimate goal. We, as professionals are going to prove all of you that are against this new opportunity wrong. We are not just going to be good; we are going to be THE BEST!
Have an amazing day! (3)
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Andrea 's avatar

Andrea · 545 weeks ago

I am attending a non CAPTE school & until recent days (this week) I was informed that I would not be able to treat Medicare patients which is 80% of patients depending where u work. I will no longer be attending that school. My question is what can I do? Why would they even pass a bill hb1071 if the graduate which can still be able to sit and pass boards do then? When they will not be hired because of non. Capte accredited school how can I fight this this is unfair to student it is a waste of time and money !!!! @timrichpt u seem to really comprehend the severity of this issue
Sincerely ,
A pissed off student
2 replies · active 526 weeks ago
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Tim_Richardson's avatar - Go to profile

Tim_Richardson 60p · 545 weeks ago

Hi Andrea,

The Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) is fighting non CAPTE accredited schools because they mislead the public - just as in your case.

Can you call the FPTA CEO, Tad Fisher, and explain your exact situation?

He can be reached at Phone: 850.222.1243 or email: info@fpta.org

He is in touch with legislators and state policymakers who need to hear directly from the public to shut these charlatans down.

Thank you for reaching out.

Tim
6 replies · active 516 weeks ago
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Physio Bicton 56p · 449 weeks ago

Very helpful if you put effort and time into it. It helps you recognize issues, which can lead to resolution. However, examining ones life can be difficult, and if you are considering therapy than you have already had hard times. physiotherapy east fremantle, physio Melville, physiotherapy Melville, physio fremantle, physiotherapy fremantle
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Physio Bicton's avatar - Go to profile

Physio Bicton 56p · 449 weeks ago

Some free advice, stay organized. Keep track of what you talked about and the actions you took to put yourself on the right track. Therapy is great... but a long trip. It can seem like one damn thing after another if you don't note the little victories. Physio Kallaroo, Physio Joondalup, Physiotherapy Joondalup, Physio Wanneroo, Physiotherapy Wanneroo
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