Professional Development at PTSMC

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A Focus on Development

In this ever-changing field, PTSMC values the advancement of knowledge and skills to ensure patients receive the best and most current care available. Both in-house education programs and financial support for employees to seek external educational opportunities are afforded to PTSMC clinical staff. PTSMC encourages all staff to be lifelong learners. There are also opportunities for non-clinical staff to develop their skills and take on leadership roles within the company. PTSMC has supported several staff in achieving advanced degrees and certifications.

Group of staff standing in admin office

Leadership and Management Development Program

PTSMC believes in growing from within, particularly in leadership opportunities.  We commit time and resources to interested and qualified employees to train in and develop leadership skills and business acumen. Our Leadership and Management Development Program (LMDP) has two tracks, one for clinical staff and the other for administrative staff, that covers a variety of topics including understanding financial reports, clinic operations, management, and employee development. Select individuals that have aspirations for clinic ownership or a formal leadership role are chosen to participate in this program.

Clinical Excellence Program: Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants

Clinical excellence is a part of our mission. The Clinical Excellence Program is designed to support clinicians in their pursuits of advancing their knowledge and skills to provide the best care to patients.

CMTPT Course Group Picture

  • Development of Clinical Success (DOCS) Program

     

    Courses

    Clinicians in the DOCS Program will attend 7 courses. The courses are taught in-house by highly experienced and credentialed PTSMC clinicians. These courses are also open to any PTSMC clinician.

    1. Cervical Thoracic
    2. Concussion & Vestibular
    3. Lower Extremity
    4. Lumbar
    5. Return to Sport (virtual course)
    6. TNE: Therapeutic Neuroscience Education (virtual course)
    7. Upper Extremity

     

    Clinical Mentorship

    Similar to physical therapy fellowship and residency programs, clinicians in the DOCS Program receive mentorship support from our experienced physical therapists. Completion of 6, one-on-one mentoring sessions occurs in the first year of the DOCS Program, with the opportunity to continue mentorship for up to 12 sessions.

    The mentorship supports clinicians with their clinical reasoning process, improves clinical pattern recognition and allows clinicians to become more confident, efficient and effective.

     

    Case Discussion and Journal Club

    Supplemental to the DOCS Program, clinicians participate in a monthly case discussion and journal club. Clinicians virtually gather and discuss cases and journal articles. These discussions are also open to all PTSMC clinicians interested.

  • External & Sponsored Continuing Education

    PTSMC financially supports clinicians for their continuing education requirements and pursuit of clinical interests and specialization. PTSMC host sponsored courses, in which outside experts are brought in-house at negotiated rates to provide clinicians with easier access to areas of interest. Sponsored courses are annually chosen based on clinician interest.

    PTSMC has recently hosted courses instructed by:

    • American Academy of Manipulative Therapy (AAMT)
    • Evidence In Motion (EIM)
    • Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE)
    • Myopain Seminars’ Trigger Point Dry Needling Certification: CMTPT

  • Accredited Orthopaedic Residency Program

    PTSMC earned accreditation as a residency program through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) in 2019 and was re-accredited in 2023 establishing itself as one of nine residency programs in New England- and one of only three to specialize in orthopaedics.

    Learn more about PTSMC's Orthopaedic Residency Program by clicking here.

Doctor in black scrubs demonstrating to students

Clinical Development Through Connecting

PTSMC provides opportunities for clinical staff to connect with each other and with local physicians and community groups.

Clinical Special Interest Groups

PTSMC values a collaborative environment where clinicians can bring different perspectives and experiences together to solve complex cases. PTSMC Clinical Special Interest Groups (CSIGs) are spaces for clinicians to communicate and connect with each other to share clinical interest, ideas, resources, goals, and have discussion as it relates to their personal and professional growth practice. Current CSIGs include Manual Therapy, Pelvic Health, and Sports Rehabilitation.

Clinical Specialties

PTSMC clinicians boast specialists in a variety of fields. Clinicians interested in pursuing a specialty not only do so through continuing education courses and certification, but also through mentorship, shadowing and support from PTSMC’s own clinicians in their home clinic and clinicians from other PTSMC locations.

Provider Events

PTSMC hosts several events to foster collaboration with physicians who refer to PTSMC, including orthopedic surgeons, primary care physicians, OBGYN’s, and more. Leading physicians in their fields have come to speak to PTSMC clinicians about cutting-edge topics. These are opportunities for clinicians to learn different aspects of patient care and build relationships with referral sources.

Additional Professional Development

 

PTSMC supports the personal and professional development of all staff from administrative to clinical positions.

 

Administrative Staff

PTSMC supports growth and continuing education opportunities for administrative staff, offering opportunities for financial support for external continuing education courses and certifications relevant to the job role and department. As administrative staff develop, PTSMC has promotion opportunities and supports transferring of roles or departments that best fit skill sets, goals, and needs of the company as it grows.

Athletic Trainers

PTSMC employs certified, licensed Athletic Trainers throughout Connecticut in various settings, including secondary schools and the industrial and public safety sectors.

Athletic Trainers are encouraged to advance their knowledge and abilities and develop new skills and techniques. PTSMC provides in-house courses for hands-on learning and discussion. Athletic trainers new to PTSMC are provided with mentorship and guidance to ensure athletes safety and health. PTSMC also offers opportunities for financial support for external continuing education courses and certifications.

Patient Services

PTSMC Patient Services positions play a crucial role in enhancing the patient experience. PTSMC maintains a strong commitment to customer service skills, developing industry knowledge, and mastering internal programs and systems. PTSMC is passionate about supporting internal growth opportunities from within whether it be taking on additional responsibilities in the clinic or branching into operations through administrative office roles.

Physical Therapy Aides

To ensure that each PT Aide is comfortable with the skills and knowledge necessary for their role, PTSMC designed the Skills Introduction for the Physical Therapy Aide (SIPTA) program. The SIPTA Program is executed in the first 6 weeks of employment and guides new PT Aide through each component of their role such as instruction of exercise technique, medical terminology and anatomy, patient interaction and education and use of electronic medical records.