Web Posted on: March 3,1998
CREDENTIALING PROGRAM IN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Anjali Weber
SLIDE 1
WHAT IS CERTIFICATION?
Certification is the process by which a nongovernmental agency or association validates an individual's qualifications and knowledge in a defined functional or clinical area.
SLIDE 2
WHY HAVE CERTIFICATION?
The purpose of certification is to validate an individual's qualifications and knowledge in a defined functional or clinical area. Credentialing provides practice-related knowledge based requirements against which members of a profession can be assessed. Studies show over 25% technology abandonment rate
RESNA's credentialing program was developed to ensure consumer safeguards and increase consumer satisfaction
SLIDE 3
WHY IS TECHNOLOGY ABANDONED?
1) It didn't do what it was supposed to do
2) It worked, but it was inconvenient or impractical to use
3) Consumer not involved in decision-making
4) It inhibited some other important function
5) It couldn't be modified or upgraded to meet changing needs
6) It was too cumbersome or unattractive
7) Functional needs of user changed
8) Medical intervention (surgery, medications) made it unusable
9) Use of the technology increased medical or safety risk
SLIDE 4
CHANNELS OF AWARENESS FOR EXPLORING AT OPTIONS:
Before contacting a professional specializing in AT service delivery, the educated and informed end user can do some research through:
1) Reading articles and advertisements in related publications
2) Attending trade shows and conferences
3) Visiting websites
4) Speaking to other AT users
5) Visiting dealer showrooms
SLIDE 5
PERSONS INTERESTED IN AT INTERVENTION MAY CONTACT:
1) Clinics specializing in AT service delivery
2) School professionals
3) Physicians and other medical professionals 4) Vocational Rehabilitation
5) Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers
SLIDE 6
METHODS OF SELECTING QUALIFIED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS
1) "Word of mouth"
2) Established contracts or awarded bids
2) Referral from medical professional
3) Checking references, experience, education of provider
4) Licensure or credentials
SLIDE 7
RESNA'S CREDENTIALING PROGRAM
RESNA undertook credentialing process in 1992 to
- Identify qualified service providers by testing fundamental knowledge - Set standards to measure competence and guide professional conduct
SLIDE 8
About RESNA
RESNA is the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. We are an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. Our purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology.
SLIDE 9
About RESNA credentials
Currently two credentials : Assistive Technology Practitioner
Assistive Technology Supplier
Development of Rehabilitation Technologist and Rehabilitation
Engineer credentials
Do NOT have to be a RESNA member in order to be certified
SLIDE 10
Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP)
Professionals primarily involved in analysis of a consumer's needs, development and implementation of a plan to meet those needs, and provision of training in use of a particular device.
SLIDE 11
Assistive Technology Supplier (ATS)
Professionals primarily involved in the sale and service of commercially available devices, including mixing and matching components to meet individual needs.
SLIDE 12
HOW ARE THE CREDENTIALS ACQUIRED?
Meeting eligibility requirements to sit for RESNA's certification exam Passing of the exam
Agreeing to adhere to Code of Ethics and RESNA's Standards of Practice
SLIDE 13
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A. Bachelor's Degree (or higher) in a Rehabilitation Science and a .25 full time equivalent (FTE) in Assistive Technology direct consumer related services for a minimum of 2 years.
B. Associate's Degree in a Rehabilitation Science and a .50 FTE in Assistive Technology direct consumer related services for a minimum of 2 years.
C Bachelor's Degree in a non-Rehabilitation Science and a .50 FTE in Assistive Technology direct consumer related services for a minimum of 4 years.
D. Associate's Degree in a non-Rehabilitation Science and a 1 FTE in Assistive Technology direct consumer related services for a minimum of 4 years.
E. High School Degree and a 1 FTE in Assistive Technology direct consumer related services for a minimum of 4 years.
For Assistive Technology Supplier Candidates only:
F. High School Degree and a 1 FTE in Assistive Technology direct consumer related services for a minimum of 2 years.
SLIDE 14
HOW WAS THE EXAM DEVELOPED?
RESNA's certification process has been developed over a period of approximately four years using professional expertise and widely recognized and accepted protocols.
- knowledge/skills base document developed
- draft widely distributed among individuals in service delivery
- input incorporated to develop National Survey of AT providers
- "practice survey" distributed to approx. 4000 individuals in various disciplines within AT service delivery
- survey results used to develop test blueprint/outline
- outline used to directly solicit questions from practitioners
- test development committee screened, revised questions to develop
- database of questions from which test was developed
- passing score study after each exam to analyze questions
- test and database continually updated
SLIDE 15
WHO OVERSEES THE PROCESS?
Role of Professional Standards Board
Role of Operating Board
Test development consultants (Knapp & Associates)
SLIDE 16
About the exam
200 multiple-choice questions.
150 answered by all candidates
50 based on case presentations, different for practitioner vs. supplier
Foundation knowledge (psychology, sociology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, ethics, product knowledge, evaluation techniques, policy)
SLIDE 17
RESNA'S STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Set of rules to govern practice of AT delivery Promotes high ethical standards
Stresses cooperation, team building, followup Promotes collaboration
Encourages referral to others when beyond provider's area of expertise SLIDE 18
RIGHTS/RESTRICTIONS WITH RESNA CREDENTIALS
Voluntary certification
Not a license, can't practice outside of state req'ts Use of initials to distinguish successful candidates
SLIDE 19
WHAT CREDENTIALING MEANS TO THE CONSUMER AND PAYOR
1) Demonstrated knowledge of assistive technology,
2) Professionalism, as governed by the RESNA Standards of Practice 3) Education and Experience required to meet eligibility standards 4) Professional oversight by the RESNA Professional Standards
Board
Directory of credentialed providers available on RESNA's web page
SLIDE 17
HOW DOES RESNA ADJUDICATE IN MATTERS OF CERTIFICATION?
PSB will investigate formal written complaints submitted with documentation Can revoke credential due to fraud, abuse, incompetence
SLIDE 16
HOW TO REACH US:
1700 North Moore Street
Phone #: (703)524-6686 ext 300
Suite 1540 Fax #: (703)524-6630
Arlington, VA 22209-1903
TTY #: (703)524-6639
e-mail: cert@resna.org
RESNA Website: http://www.resna.org