Transcript A.O.T.P.A.C. - American Occupational Therapy Association

Professional Responsibility:
Lifetime Membership / Participation
in Professional Associations
If not you – then who?
If not now – then when?
A Call for Action
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Presentation Goal
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To give you a reality check about threats to your
career as Occupational Therapist / OT Assistants
To make each of you acutely aware of the necessity
to become active lifelong members of AOTA,
AOTPAC and your state OT Association
To give you the tools you need to convince your
fellow students and OT / OTA peers to also become
lifelong members
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Vincent and Rachel Fontana
LSU Tiger Band
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
This is a GREAT time to enter the
Occupational Therapy Profession!
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In 2030, there will be 70 million senior citizens (over 65), 20 %
of the population. The need for OT services will continue to
grow
Skilled Care and Long Term Care
 Independent Living Settings
 Community Programs
 Increased Utilization of Acute Care
Services
 Extending the safe driving life of an
aging population
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Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
AOTA partnerships with national groups
to help seniors “live life to the fullest!”
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
OT expands into new and
Unusual Places / Practice Areas
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Paul Fontana, OTR, FAOTA
Developing Return to Work Programs Prudhoe Bay,
Alaska (- 55 degrees without wind chill)
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Industrial and Office Ergonomics
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Teaching Back Education / Body
Mechanics and Proper Lifting Techniques
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Injury Prevention Training @ Job Site
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Injury Prevention
Post Hire Assessments
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Centennial Vision Statement
By the year 2017…
We envision occupational therapy as a
powerful,
widely recognized,
science-driven,
and
evidence-based
profession with a
globally connected and diverse workforce
meeting society’s
occupational needs.
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
The future for Occupational
Therapy is Bright ………
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The need for what OT /
OTAs do will continue to
grow
Will the need for OT
continue to grow?
Will there be
reimbursement for
Occupational Therapy
services or can someone
else fill our role at ½ the
cost?
Will there be
Occupational Therapy
Jobs?
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Not so good news
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Other professions are
expanding their practice
act or changing the
definition of their
profession to include
many of the areas that
have traditionally been
the domain of
Occupational Therapists
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The practice act
defines what the
profession is able to
legally do / charge for
within that state
It defines who you are
within the state.
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Where are the attacks on our
practice coming from
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Some seek to prevent
OT from providing
certain types of
evaluations or
interventions
Others seek to expand
their scope of practice
to provide services that
have been the
traditional domain of OT
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Audiologists
Athletic Trainers
Developmental Therapists
Optometrists
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Physicians
Physical Therapists
Recreational Therapists
Speech & Language
Therapists
Wheelchair suppliers and
manufacturers
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
NATA: Athletic Trainers Aim
To Expand Scope of Practice
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Redefine athletic trainers’ scope of practice and
change the definition of athlete and athletic injury:
 NATA: “ATCs are allied health medical
professionals who specialize in the prevention,
assessment, treatment and rehab of injuries that
occur to the physically active
 Physically active is defined as anyone who
“engages in athletic, recreational or occupational
activities that require physical skills and utilize
strength, power, endurance, speed, flexibility,
range of motion or agility.”
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Why changing the definition of an
athlete or athletic injury is important?
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By amending the definition of “athlete”
or “athletic injury” the Athletic Trainers
are seeking to greatly expand who
what they are able to treat and be
reimbursed for within the state.
Federal legislation before Congress to
allow Medicare reimbursement of
ATC when allowed by state law
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Athletic Trainers Aim
To Expand Scope of Practice
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NATA: In the industrial setting, ATCs develop
and manage programs to keep employees
working at full capacity, improve productivity
and reduce health care cost.
NATA: ATCs are knowledgeable in the
design, implementation and measurement of
injury prevention, injury reduction and return
to work programs
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
State by State Effort:
2007, ’08, ‘09 Louisiana Legislative Sessions
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Senate Bill 110 Proposed
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Redefined an athlete: "an individual that participates in any
activity that requires physical strength, agility, flexibility,
speed, stamina, or range of motion, or a condition identified
by a licensed physician as benefiting from athletic training
services.”
LOTA, with direct support /
direction from AOTA was able to have
the bill withdrawn. But it will be back!
13 other states have similar proposals
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
2011 Letter to Conn legislators
from ATC State President
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ATC profession has evolved, practice act should
reflect changes in the profession
Current language limits patient population AT can
treat to athletes
50 % AT work outside of traditional pro, college, high
school athletics
Proposed changes would open occupational
opportunities in corporations, municipalities, out pt
rehab facilities, hospitals, SNF and a number of
private practice settings
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Jan 23, 2011 Letter to legislators
from ATC State President
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Conn Dept of Public Health identified the increased
need for outpatient rehabilitative services
Outpatient rehabilitation is a primary setting in which
the Athletic Trainer could then be employed.
Graduates of the state’s AT Ed. program would
provide an immediate influx to fill those positions.
Increased practice opportunities will bring
students from neighboring states to move to Conn.
Without changes, Conn AT will leave for other
states that allow practice to the full extent of the
education
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Proposal to Amend Connecticut General Statutes 375A
Before Connecticut Legislature NOW. Changes include
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A.T. provide “risk management, clinical evaluation and
assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and intervention of acute
and chronic injuries and medical conditions involving
impairment, functional limitations and disabilities”
Removes all references to (over 30 references in current
practice act) athletic injury, sports, games and recreation
Redefines injury: a clinical condition sustained as a result of an
individual’s participation in activities requiring strength, agility,
flexibility, ROM, speed or stamina, or any comparable injury that
prevents an individual from participating in any such activities”
Allows “upon written standing orders” the treatment and
management of traumatic brain injuries”
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Proposed changes to Conn
ATC Practice Act includes…..
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Wellness means service related to
strength training, fitness, work place
ergonomics and injury prevention
Supervision by physician does NOT
require face to face meetings with ATC
Allows “standing protocols” from
physician so they in effect have direct
access
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Just with a change in their
practice act or state regulations
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Athletic Trainers could be treating:
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Industrial “athlete”
Stroke “athlete”
Developmentally delayed “athlete”
Head injury “athlete”
Aged “athlete”
The potential is unlimited………………
If it will work in Connecticut it will work
in Indiana, Wisconsin, Louisiana ……….
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Recreation Therapists: changing
definition / practice act
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“a treatment service designed to restore,
remediate and rehabilitate a person’s
level of functioning and independence in life
activities, to promote health and wellness as
well as reduce or eliminate the activities and
limitations and restrictions to participate in
life situations caused by illness or disabling
conditions”
Currently licensed in New Hampshire, North
Carolina, Vermont and Utah. Legislation
proposed in Oklahoma and Iowa
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Recreation Therapists petitioned CMS
(Medicare) to allow reimbursement
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“Therapeutic Recreation improve function of
individuals will illnesses or disabling conditions
through services designed to restore, remediate
and rehabilitate functional capabilities”
“Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists do
more than provide recreation. Specialized
treatments and intervention by CTRS will improve
the residents functional abilities”
CTRS should be look at in the “same manner that
physical, occupational and speech therapists” in
long term care funding
Thus far AOTA has been able to stop this change
thus far
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Physical Therapy Profession:
Change model practice act …
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Utah / Oregon: PT association introduced legislation
to revise the definition of physical therapy to
include “functional training in self care”.
 They do not clarify what that means but this
certainly would mislead consumers and encroach
on the traditional domain of occupational therapy
 The OOTA with AOTA direction was able to get
the regulations to clarify PT interventions to
include ”functional training related to physical
movement and mobility in self care”.
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
American Ortho & Prosthetic
Association: Strategic Plan
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Different Business Model
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“Develop alternative revenue generating
models and how to broaden their
traditional base of business”
“offer services to include PT /OT,
stretching / strengthening therapy, therapy
to improve activities of daily living, skills
needed to return to the workforce” …..
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Audiologist / Speech and
Language Pathologist
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Redefine audiology to
mean anyone working on
vestibular system,
balance, fall prevention
Seeking scope of practice
changes indicating
swallowing, cognitive
impairment and
communication /
interaction skills are the
domain of SLP
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Looking to change
regulations to say if
another profession’s
practice act does
NOT specifically
include this, then by
law this is in their
domain and OT
cannot do this
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Similar Regulation Changes:
“when not specifically included” ……
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IDEA allows states to decide
who can serve infants and
toddlers in Early
Intervention. In Illinois
Developmental Therapies
have authority to assess the
needs of clients - OT is not
being used to the full scope
of OT practice. Now looking
to formalize this w/ state
licensure
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Optometrist: Proposed
legislation to change state
law: “anyone providing
vision assessment is
practicing optometry”
 This would eliminate
Occupational Therapists
from working in low
vision, driving
assessments
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Health Care Bill does include:
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Establishment of an Advisory Commission to
the Secretary of Health to advise the
Secretary regarding essential benefits that
would be specified after the passage
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These folks will make up the rules and
regulations that mandate the covered services /
changes. It is critical that OT have a presence at
this table
If they are confused about our role or believe that
others can provide the “same services” as OT
and do it at half the cost ……….
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Health Care Legislation
$ 500 BILLION Medicare Cuts
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Cuts to long term care 7/10
Cuts to inpatient / rehab
facilities FY10
Cuts to inpatient psyc hospitals
7/10
Medicare Advantage / Home
Health cuts begin 2011
Cut for MRI / CT scan and other
diagnostic tools 2011
Durable Medical Equipment cuts
(splints, adaptive equipment)
2011
Additional cuts to long term
care, hospitals, nursing homes
and inpatient rehab facilities
begin 2011
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Medicare cuts to dialysis
treatment begins
New Medicare cuts to inpatient
psych hospitals July 2012
Medicare cuts to hospice begin
Additional Medicare cuts to
hospitals
Additional Medicare Home
Health cuts begin 2014
Government board begins to
propose additional Medicare
cuts 2014
2015 Additional Medicare Home
Health cuts
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
$ 500 BILLION Medicare Cuts
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The Medicare eligible population will increase
significantly in the next 10 years as the baby
boomers reach the age of 65+
Millions of people now included in Medicaid
funding – all shifted to the states to pay
How can these cuts in a system that is struggling
be solvent NOT adversely affect
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Availability of OT services to seniors / infants
OT jobs
Salaries of OT personnel
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
State Budget Problems
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State budget problems are topmost on legislative calendars in
2010. Cuts will be seen in areas such as education, including
special education, early intervention and childhood programs
Key Budget Issues
 Federal Health care bill mandates states pick up significantly
higher % of the cost for federally mandated Medicaid
programs - increasing state cost by hundreds of
millions / yr. Each state’s Medicaid population
projected to increase by hundreds of thousands
 Cuts to state Medicaid could eliminate OT as optional benefit
 Cuts to education will impact special education programs
 Medicaid changing to bundling payment services where OT
bundled together with PT, Nursing, Room Rate, Medicine,…..
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Ramifications of Decreased Funding
and Increased Spending
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When government has to balance the
budget, Government has to make a
choice
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40 years ago no one spoke against
including OT as a qualified service in
home health – but no one was there to
speak on our behalf!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Public Policy Directly Affects Jobs
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Legislation passed house & senate that would allow
newly created “Rehabilitation Specialist”, 2 yr
certificate from Jr college, to legally bill for OT and
PT for ‘Rural Health Care facilities in Florida –
Governor Vetoed
Legislation passed house & senate that would have
mandated OT work under direct onsite supervision of
an Activity Therapist – California Governor Vetoed
Had the governors signed this legislation it would
have become the law in these states
If it worked there it will work in all states ………..
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
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I have never spoken with a Congressman or Senator
who says OT is not worth including as a covered
service
No professions say they can do all that OT does.
Instead, they are “nibbling” on the edges:
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“low vision specialist” (now covered under Medicare) can do
this,
“lymphedema therapists” do this,
speech therapy can do this,
recreational therapist and ATC can do this….
In some cases “we” allow it because we cannot find
people to do certain jobs or we can find someone
willing to do it for a lot less than an OT or OTA would
be willing to do it
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Not Enough OT / OTAs to meet the
projected growth in jobs
# PT / PTA Passed the Boards # 0T/ OTA Passed the Boards
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In 2005, 17,500 Physical
Therapists and Physical
Therapy Assistants
passed the national
certification exam and
entered the profession.
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2005: 3,000
2008: 4,747
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3,100 OT / 1,647 OTA
2009: 4,290
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2,689 OT / 1,601 OTAs
And once those
jobs are lost they
are lost
FOREVER!!!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Jan 23, 2011 Letter to legislators
from ATC State President
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With Obama care “Conn Medicaid population
projected to increase by 130,000, there will be a
significant need for more licensed healthcare
professionals to provide both rehabilitative
and preventative services”
Proposed changes to the practice act would
allow athletic trainers to meet that need
There are 5 schools that train AT in Conn. How
many OT / OTA schools are there and what are
their class size as compared to AT class size?
This is one example of a state and federal issue
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Lobbyists …………………
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There are over 500 United States
Representatives and Senators and countless
number of committees, public agencies, etc
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AOTA has to establish a working relationship with
each of them
There are 35,000 registered lobbyists in
Washington, DC (+70 for each member of
Congress)
AOTA has 2 ½ full time paid lobbyists!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Example of the importance of lobbying to
ensure your interest is heard
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“Neurology is the only specialty that has been
left out of a proposed incentive in the current
health care legislation”
When the health care committee was asked
how the bill was passed without including
Neurology, the response was: “we though
neurology was a subspecialty of internal
medicine” Mobile Register, March 17, 2010
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
The Reality Is ……………..
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90% + of all the Occupational Therapy
services provided in the country are paid for
with federal funds - including your salaries &
benefits!
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Funding for the services you provide as a therapist
could be one of those “decisions” that government
has to make. Funding for the services you provide
your clients could cease. Meaning, you won’t be paid
or needed!
Don’t believe this is possible – when Medicare
changed the rules to include DRGs in 1980s, 5,000
OT/PTs lost their jobs in 30 days!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
How would OT and your job
opportunities change if …….
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Low vision specialists,
exercise physiologists / athletic trainers,
recreation therapists,
rehabilitation specialists, …
are allowed to change their practice act to
legally provide and charge for services
OTs currently provide?
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Someone’s Taking Your Jobs!
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Employers can hire an recreation therapists, athletic
trainer, exercise science graduate or exercise
physiologists for $ 10 / hour = $ 20,000/yr
If your employer could hire an athletic trainer or
certified recreational specialist to
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“facilitate, restore and rehabilitate” or “improve the residents
functional abilities” and
bill insurance / Medicare for these services at the same rate
they currently bill for OT services,
how long do you think OTs will have a job or be paid
what they make today?
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Importance of a strong
national and state OT Assoc
The reality is, that in today’s environment,
without a strong professional organization
watching out for our profession and going to
bat for us every day to ensure that we are
included in legislative and regulatory
changes, we will not have a profession
Or a Job!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Why aren’t people joining AOTA?
My Personal Belief is: Apathy
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Most Occupational Therapists work for large
institutions
 Hospitals or Nursing Home Chains
 Large School Districts or State & Federal
Hospitals or Institutions
“I don’t have any time. I go to work, do my
job and go home. I am busy with kids,
family, play, life! … I’m too busy to do
anything else right now.”
“Someone else will take care of the
profession.”
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Today, 90 % + of all OT students belong
to AOTA / State Association. But
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44,000 AOTA members / 120,000 + potential
Reality is: 1 in 16 AOTA Student
members will renew their AOTA
and state association membership
after 2 years of practice
 Each of us has a responsibility to
see that this trend does NOT
continue
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Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Trade or Profession
Occupational Therapy is a Profession.
If you only want a job – go to Walmart!
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Being a Professional requires more than
simply going to work, doing your job and
going home.
It is more than a clocking in and clocking
out for a paycheck
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Why don’t people join AOTA or state
associations? What I Hear ……
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I don’t get anything for my money
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I cannot afford it. AOTA dues are
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I don’t read the journal, go to AOTA conferences, use their
marketing material, care about the professional papers validating
our profession ….
Regardless, you get full time government relations, lobbying, and
monitoring of our profession to ensure that we are recognized by
those who write the laws and regulations, allocate the funding and
regulate the industry to ensure we can do what we do.
Students $ 75
New Graduates $ 119 / $ 95
OT’s $ 225 , OTA’s $ 131
State OTA Dues are
$ 60 - $125
I pay $ 1,500 a year for a business license. And I still have to
pay for all the utility services I use and taxes for the police and
fire protection, and all the other benefits of living in a city …….
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Without AOTA ………..
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No Code of Ethics
No Educational Standards
No Practice Papers or Coordinated Research
Agenda
No coordinated lobbying voice
NO PROFESSION – we would not be
considered a profession, therefore not exist in
the reimbursement arena and therefore there
would be no OT jobs!!!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
The Truth of the Matter is,
We are the someone else!
AOTA and state associations are
voluntary organizations. If we don’t do
it, it will not get done!!!!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
AOTA and Political Advocacy
Benefit to all state associations….
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AOTA has full time professionals with
experience in how to handle all these
complex “turf” issues, who see the larger
picture that state presidents may not see.
State presidents come and go but AOTA
professionals are the constant.
AOTA continually monitoring all federal and
state legislation and work with state OT
associations to guide them through these
attacks on the profession
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Strong national and state
Assoc critically important
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a strong national association ensures we
have a seat at the table as policies that
will directly impact whether we can service
the people that can benefit from OT are
being debated and is the stable body of
professionals to help direct state efforts
an active state association ensures we can
respond to laws / regulation / challenges to
the profession that will impact reimbursement
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
AOTA and PAC
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By law, AOTA cannot give financial aid to
any candidate running for office
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NONE of your AOTA dues can go to support
political candidates
ONLY money raised by AOTPAC can be used to
support candidates who support Occupational
Therapy
AOTPAC can ONLY accept contributions from
AOTA members if this money is to be given to a
political candidate. So you have to JOIN
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
AOTPAC: OT’s support of
candidates for federal office
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In your home community,
you support local candidates
for city council, mayor,
school board, etc who
support policies you want.
You do this by putting up
yard signs, go door to door
and by buying tickets to their
fund raisers.
AOTA through AOTPAC
supports candidates for
federal office who support
legislation that supports
Occupational Therapy
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Amount spent by candidate
Obama to become President
$ 750 Million Dollars!!!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
There is a direct correlation
between ………………………..
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Ensuring politicians who understand / support
OT are elected gives OT a seat at the table
during these health care and budget debates
AOTA’s ability to financially support elected
officials who understand & support the
profession of OT and
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funding, jobs, salaries,…
being included in the legislation / regulations that
are put forth
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
2017 Visionary Survey
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68 % members report that Healthcare
Reimbursement is the most important driver
of our profession in the next 8 years
57 % members state that lobbying activities
with government bodies for reimbursement is
one of the top 3 things that AOTA can do to
position the profession for 2017
Yet ……………………………………………………
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Only 33 % of ALL OT / OTAs in the
country join AOTA
 Less than 15 % of AOTA
membership contribute to AOTPAC
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Remember only donations from
AOTA members can be used by
AOTPAC to support candidates for
public office
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
For pennies a day ……………..
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How many of you would not pay .32 cents a
day (AOTA new graduate OT rate) or .61
cents a day (AOTA full OT rate) for a group of
individuals if all you received was:
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Someone to monitor all the state and federal
legislation and rules / regulations that might
adversely or positively affect your ability to work
and be paid
You get that and so much more from
AOTA and your state OT Association
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Do more than simply join your
State & National Associations
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Get involved: Attend district
/ state meetings
 Bring a non member /
co-worker
Volunteer on committees
and @ conferences
Join AOTPAC & help raise
funds and awareness with
your peers
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Learn the issues
and VOTE
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Last year, more
than half dozen
state house seats
have been decided
decided by less
than 50 votes
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Become an “arm” for the
profession …………………..
Paul Fontana with Congressman
Charles Boustany
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Develop a relationship with
your US Congressional
Representative / Senators
 Volunteer during their
campaigns
 Meet them in the district
Become their “consultant /
expert” on Occupational
Therapy and health care
related issues
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Actively support your candidate
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
What else can you do……….
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Find a mentor and Mentor to others
Practice evidence based therapy
Participate in / encourage research and
publication
Go to continuing education that advances
your skills in your area of practice
“Shame” your co-workers into joining and
attending OT meetings
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Every Occupational Therapist is
an ambassador for our profession
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Be prepared: Know why you do what you do.
Never provide services / treatment that is not
exactly what is needed
Maintain your passion for what you do as an
Occupational Therapist
Never stay in your job when it simply becomes a
job.
If you find you don’t like what you are doing as
an OT, find your OT niche!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Getting Involved is Good for the
Profession and it’s good for you

AOTPAC Chair Involvement –
directly lead to me:
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Testifying before US Congress
Appointment to NACE for OSHA
Testifying before OSHA
Further established my expertise
in field of Ergonomics which has
greatly opened business
opportunities

Ongoing ergonomic work with
companies in Louisiana, New York,
Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Oregon and
Washington
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Today
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Center for Work
Rehabilitation has a staff of
25 FTE with offices in
Lafayette, LA and Houston,
TX
Licensed facilities in
Anchorage, AK and St John
Newfoundland, Canada
90 % of all revenue comes
directly from business and
industrial customers and
NOT medical insurance
reimbursement
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
When Occupational Therapy inspires
people to reach for the summit, no
matter what,
we are helping
them
“live
life to its
fullest”
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the US
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
DO SOMETHING GREAT!
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011
YOU are the Therapists of
the 21st Century
Do Something GREAT
- IF NOT YOU THEN WHO
Occupational Therapy
“Living Life to Its Fullest”
Copyright © Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, 2011