To: iNRRTS Registrants and Others
RE: Recruitment for Clinician Task Force members
To Whom it May Concern:
I am writing to acquaint you with the Clinician Task Force (CTF), the work that we do and to ask for your help as we seek members in your state.
CTF is a nonprofit national association of clinicians who specialize in the provision of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) products and services. The CTF membership consists of occupational and physical therapists across the United States with expertise in seating and wheeled mobility. We maintain a majority membership of at least 80% actively evaluating for and educating about CRT equipment in a wide variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, private practice, educational settings, community-based programs, and more. Membership guidelines mandate that no more than 20% of the membership are employed full-time for CRT manufacturers/suppliers to ensure an ethical balance is maintained. Our mission is to provide clinical based expertise to inform and promote public policy, best practices, and positive outcomes for people with disabilities who require Complex Rehab Technology products and related services.
Our goal is to have representation in all 50 states. This is especially helpful for advocacy as issues arise in specific states where our members reside and work. For instance, in Minnesota the Senate recently passed a bill requiring insurance funding of standing power wheelchairs with three CTF members testifying in person. Several Colorado CTF members are advocating for appropriate use of telehealth for Medicaid evaluations, and in Washington state a CTF member recently testified for a Right to Repair bill safety amendment. When you are facing funding challenges in your state it is valuable to have local experts who are invested in the issues to participate and share their clinical expertise.
We currently have members in only 40 states and would like to have at least one member in every state. Do you know any occupational or physical therapists who work with you in CRT evaluations, are passionate about this work and helping clients, and would like to have a part in making things better for all of us? If so, please share our website with them – https://www.cliniciantaskforce.us/ where they can learn about us and apply to join.
There are benefits to be had in becoming a CTF member. We are a supportive community of like-minded professionals with decades of combined experience who are open to sharing ideas and clinical advice. Our education workgroup hosts offerings like “Ethics Coffee Chats” and “Journal Journeys”, and we have a scholarship fund to help active members attend conferences relevant to our field of expertise.
Thank you for helping us increase our membership and expand our ability to provide clinical based expertise to inform and promote public policy, best practices, and positive outcomes for people with disabilities who require Complex Rehab Technology products and related services in your state.
Sincerely,
Tamara Kittelson, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
Executive Director, Clinician Task Force