A new certification!

I’m proud to announce my achievement as a sports certified specialist (SCS). This is a board-certified clinical specialist designation by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in the area of Sports Rehabilitation. Specialist certification formally recognizes physical therapists who have demonstrated advanced clinical knowledge and skills in a specific area of physical therapist practice.  As a sports specialized therapist, I have demonstrated both advanced clinical rehabilitation knowledge pertaining to sports injuries and sideline management of acute sports injuries. As a part of the certification process, I took training out of state to become an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) through the American Red Cross where I learned and demonstrated proficiency in advanced first-aid techniques and acute injury management.  The whole process, a little over a year in duration also included intense studying in current research and rehabilitation techniques for all areas of the body to return an individual back to a high level of activity.  (This explains my lack of blog posts for the last year!)​

While I do get to add additional letters behind my name, it was never about this.  This process was a great way to analyze strengths/weaknesses in my clinical practice and improve upon them. It also improved my use of evidence-based practice, which uses research to try to provide the best, most efficient treatments to help a condition.  I believe in total, this process has allowed me to even further strengthen my skill set to provide the best treatments to help my patients the most.  At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about… helping those in need and forming trusting relationships.