Welcome to the Physical Therapist Assistant
Special Interest Group (PTA-SIG) Website!

PTA News  |  PTA Message Board |  Hot Topics |  A Note from your PTA Caucus Representative  |
Texas PTA SIG Message Board  |  Advanced Proficiency for the PTA  |  How can we get involved?

The purpose of the PTA-SIG is to foster professionalism, establish mentoring relationships, and promote association involvement of physical therapist assistants in Texas. The PTA-SIG is also a great network of PTA's that can help you stay current on important issues affecting PTA's and the PT profession in general.

The new PTA-SIG Chair is Bridget Carroll Eaton.  You can reach her by email at bkcarroll80@earthlink.net.

A  Note from Luke Markert,  your PTA Caucus Representative
 

The role of the PTA Caucus Representative is to represent PTA members from the Texas chapter at the national level during the PTA Caucus.  This PTA Caucus meeting takes place prior to the APTA House of Delegates (HOD).  The PTA Caucus is composed of one PTA Representative from each chapter (state), 4 PTA Caucus Delegates, and the Chief Delegate.  The five PTA Caucus delegates represent all PTA members in the nation at the House of Delegates.  The delegates have the ability to make, amend, and debate motions on the floor of the HOD.  To see who your PTA Caucus Delegates are, please click here:

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=PTA_Resources1&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=205&ContentID=23727

In preparation for the PTA Caucus, the PTA Caucus Representative attends meetings of the Texas Delegation and communicates with the delegates regarding issues affecting PTA's and the profession. Here are the MISSION, GOALS, and OBJECTIVES of the PTA Caucus, as noted in the PTA Caucus Procedural Manual.

Mission

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Caucus, serving with integrity and responsiveness, will be the voice of the physical therapist assistant in meeting the vision, goals, and objectives of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the profession.

Goals

1.   To seek and share information with APTA members and non-members on issues affecting the physical therapist assistant, the Association, and the profession.

2.   Enhance unity within the Association by fostering the integration of the physical therapist assistant in Association activities, including governance at the national, chapter, and local levels.

3.   Promote interests of the physical therapist assistant, the Association, and the profession.

Objectives

1.  The PTA Caucus will effectively represent the interests of physical therapist assistants to influence decision making and further the integration of physical therapist assistants in the Association and profession through dynamic involvement of

• The PTA Caucus Representatives within their chapter delegation
• PTA Caucus Delegates in the APTA House of Delegates, and
• The PTA Caucus as a whole

2. Work with APTA, Chapter, and District membership to increase public and professional awareness of the role of the physical therapist assistant in the provision of physical therapy services.
3. Promote PTA licensure in all jurisdictions.
4. Work with APTA’s Department of Reimbursement, Chapters, and local advocates to assure ongoing reimbursement of physical therapy services provided by physical therapist assistants under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.

5.   Develop and implement strategies to encourage State Licensing Authorities to allow for the appointment of physical therapist assistants on Physical Therapy Licensure Boards.

6.   Develop and implement strategies to encourage Components (Chapters and Sections) to elect or appoint physical therapist assistants to serve on their Board of Directors.

7.   Develop and implement strategies to encourage Chapters to adopt a full vote for the PTA member.

8.  Develop and implement strategies to encourage Components (Chapters and Sections) to promote the role of the PTA within the profession at public and professional forums, including conferences and continuing education seminars.         

Please contact me if you would like to discuss any issues regarding PTA's or if you would like to become more involved with the PTA-SIG.

Luke Markert, PTA, BS
lukemarkert@yahoo.com
Cell: 361-548-5312

Advanced Proficiency is here!!!
 

Did you know that Advanced Proficiency is now available for physical therapist assistants? For information regarding this new and exciting program, visit the APTA website at www.apta.org. Find the information under PTA Resources. You can download an application on the website. The categories available for Advanced Proficiency are: Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Integumentary, and Women's Health

Message Board

The APTA Physical Therapist Assistant Message Board is available to all PTA members.  Connect with PTA's from across the United States and discuss issues relating to practice, reimbursement, PTA Supervision, and many other important topics.  Click here to access the PTA Message Board: http://www.apta.org/source/Communities/UserHomePage.cfm?Section=Message_Boards1&CFID=21875312&CFTOKEN=86470294 

How get more involved:

District (Local) Level

1. Attend District meetings (bring a friend!)
2. Run for District office
3. Become your district's PTA SIG liaison

Chapter (State) Level:

1. Sign up for the PTA SIG Message Board at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PTA-SIG/
2. Attend APTA Annual Conference
3. Attend the PTA SIG meeting (at TPTA AC)
4. Attend a TPTA Board of Director's Meeting in Austing (held quarterly - contact PTA Caucus Rep or SIG Chair for more info) 
5. Attend Texas Delegation meeting (contact PTA Caucus Rep for more info)
6. Sign up for the Legislation Action Center (click here: http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Advocacy&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=181&ContentID=26507 )
7. Contribute to TPTA Political Action Committee (PAC) (click here: http://www.tpta.org/associations/8262/files/PAC%20Flyer.pdf )

APTA (National) Level:

1. Attend the PTA Caucus and APTA House of Delegates
2. Attend APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)
3. Attend PTA Town Hall Meeting at CSM
4. Sign up for PTA Message Board
5. Join a Section (click here: http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Chapters&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=36890 )

Most importantly…spread the word! Encourage fellow PTAs to join APTA/TPTA

PTA--SIG Officers

Position	Name	District	City	Phone	E-Mail
Chair	Bridget Carroll Eaton	CAD	Round Rock		bkcarroll80@earthlink.net
Vice Chair
Secretary		PHD
Treasurer	Luke Markert	CBD		Cell: 361-548-5312	lukemarkert@yahoo.com
PTA Caucus Rep	Robynn Lynn Corea	PHD	Amarillo		robynnlc@aol.com
District Liaison		CAD
District Liaison		CD
District Liaison		CBD
District Liaison		ETD
District Liaison		GEPD
District Liaison		HoT
District Liaison		MWD
District Liaison		NTD
District Liaison		PHD
District Liaison		PBD
District Liaison		SD
District Liaison		SED
District Liaison		SPD