This post was written by Katie Kaiser, PT, DPT, OCS, manager, Rehabilitation and Wellness, Parkview Huntington and Parkview Wabash Hospitals, and Ashley Wilson, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, CBIS, occupational therapist, supervisor, Rehabilitation and Wellness, Parkview Huntington Hospital.
What is an advanced certification in therapy?
Advanced certifications are an opportunity to further education for all therapists once they have completed a masters/doctoral degree from an accredited school and maintain an active therapy license. Advanced certifications are not a requirement to practice therapy, but a way to recognize the experts in their field.
Per the American Physical Therapy Association, a board-certified clinical specialist exemplifies knowledge proficiency and clinical expertise within their field of practice. They are committed to advancing physical therapy practice through personal growth, leading research and innovation, and improving clinical outcomes. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers ten specialty areas to advance clinical practice:
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Pelvic Health (Women/Men/Pediatrics)
- Wound Management
Physical therapist assistants also have advanced proficiency pathways to support eight out of the ten advanced specialty areas listed above. Once designated, advanced certifications are valid for ten years.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers speech therapists board certifications in:
- Specialist Certification
- Fluency and Fluency Disorders Certification
- Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has specialized and advanced certifications to validate practitioners’ expertise. Occupational therapy practitioners with AOTA advanced certifications demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills in specialty practice areas, can confidently navigate diverse practice settings and are equipped to provide exceptional care. The AOTA offers three specialty areas to advance clinical practice available in:
- Gerontology
- Pediatrics
- Physical rehabilitation
In addition to board-certified clinical specialists, advanced clinical certifications are vital to therapy practices. Advanced clinical certifications are available in each therapy discipline (physical, occupational and speech therapy) and allow patients to receive the most recent advancements in treatment options.
Examples of an advanced clinical certification would include (but not limited to):
- Certified Hand Therapist
- Certified Lymphedema Therapist
- Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
- Certified in Dry Needling
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist
- Certified Neuro Specialist
- Certified Clinical Instructor
- LSVT Certified Therapist
- Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist
- Seating and Mobility Specialist
- Child Language and Language Disorders Certification
- PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets Certification
- Picture Exchange Communication System
- Certification for Motor Skills for Language Development
Parkview Therapy Services has more than 25 board certified clinical specialists currently practicing in our hospitals and outpatient clinics in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Sports, and Pelvic Health. In addition to board certifications, Parkview therapists hold a vast array of advanced clinical certifications throughout all locations. These certifications allow our therapists to practice the most advanced interventions and ensure expert care across the communities we serve.
How does a therapist achieve an advanced certification?
A therapist can apply to sit for their board-certified clinical specialist certification after completing 2,000–3,000 hours of direct patient care within their specialty over the last five years. Once accepted, a therapist will need to prepare for and pass the standardized specialty exam through intense study of recent research and clinical practice guidelines.
To expedite the specialist process, a therapist may also choose to apply to an accredited residency or fellowship program for post-doctoral training. Residency programs are typically 16 months long and consist of specialty focused patient care and curriculum. The goal of the residency or fellowship is to grow a therapist into a specialist in less time than clinical experience alone.
Advanced clinical certification requirements vary based on risk and complexity of the intervention. Most certifications require self-study, in-person curriculum, and competency validation.
Parkview Therapy Services offers four post-graduate educational opportunities for therapists:
- Physical Therapy Residency Programs
- Neurology
- Sports
- Pelvic Health
- Occupational Therapy Fellowship Programs
- Neurology
- Neurology
What is the benefit to working with a therapist who has an advanced certification?
The primary benefits working with therapists who have earned advanced certifications include:
- Committed clinicians
- Expert level knowledge
- Proficient diagnostic skills
- Highly skilled treatment options
- Improved outcomes
- Direct Access advocacy
“Last year, I graduated from the Pelvic Health Residency program at Parkview Health,” Alex Bond, PT, DPT, one of Parkview’s recent Board-Certified Specialist in Pelvic Health, said. “I am now a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women's Health. This experience means the world to me! I now have a deeper and richer knowledge base much earlier in my career than I would have had without both experiences. The board specialty certification allows for an objective way to show the community how much you are committed to better care for the patient."
To schedule an appointment with Parkview Therapy Services, visit us here.
References and Resources
Speechpathologymastersprogram.com
