Recognizing the need for qualified suppliers is growing, the iNRRTS Board of Directors decided to develop an education course that would be a pathway to the profession of CRT Supplier. The Board and a handful of visionaries provided the necessary support to get this project underway.

A group of subject matter experts brought this idea into reality by creating a plan and an outline for the first of its kind self-paced education program designed to deliver the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding the role of the supplier. Working with a professional learning design specialist, NRRTS took this huge step for the CRT Industry. The group consisted of CRT suppliers and seating clinicians.

1. L – R Susan Johnson Taylor, Michele Gunn, Michelle Nolin, Jean Minkle, Anne Kieschnik, Weesie Walker. This group developed the blueprint and outline for the first ever course dedicated to the role and responsibilities of CRT Suppliers

 

Earlier this year, Level I of the Certificate Program was completed.  To date, over 32 people have completed this level.

Fun facts about this program.

  • Level I is offered to any willing person.
  • Level I will teach a person to know what they don’t know.
  • Level I offers something for everyone, no matter the experience level.
  • Level I consists of 10 courses taken in order. CEUs are awarded for each course.
  • Level I earns a total of 1.7 CEUs which represent 17 hours of seat time
  • Level I offers an opportunity to access additional webinars that offer CEUs and case study articles. These are not required content, but offered as “Learn More”.
  • Level I courses are contained in the learner’s Learning Portal and can be accessed repeatedly.
  • Level I uses the textbook “Seating and Wheeled Mobility” edited by Michelle Lange and Jean Minkle. This textbook is a reference for understanding the concepts of seating and positioning.

Many of the photos and videos used were taken during evaluations and fittings in various clinics. All the people (clients, clinicians and suppliers) willingly gave permission to have their images used as they understood the need for this education.  CRT Educators have contributed content to round out the program.

Here are a few of many people who made this content possible.

Andrew Davis demos loading his manual wheelchair into the car
Andy Foster adjusts a stander
Chad Jones and Diane Beckwith doing mat eval
Chris Bridgeman checking for needed growth adjustments
Chris Maurer, PT1 doing mat eval
Connie Divine checking final fit of new power wheelchair
Cyle Cook fitting power wheelchair
Dave Nix setting up eval chair for trial
Derek Register making adjustments to manual wheelchair
Jeff Ray fitting new manual wheelchair
Kelly Cox, MSPT, checking fit of stander
Ken Gibbons shows client how to remove back from wheelchair
Mark Partridge programming power wheelchair
Raffy Ibarra makes adjustments to head array
Robin Skolsky, PT, assessing sitting balance
Celeste Douglas, PT, transfers client into new power wheelchair
Tori Falgren, PT, checking the fit
Cam Tabobondung demonstrates best measuring technique

To learn more about this program visit https://nrrts.org/crt-supplier-certificate-program/.

Weesie may be reached at wwalker@nrrts.org.

Weesie Walker, ATP/SMS is the Certificate Program Curator for iNRRTS. She has more than 25 years of experience as a CRT Supplier. She has served on the iNRRTS Board of Directors, the GAMES Board of Directors and the Professional Standards Board of RESNA. Throughout her career, she has worked to advocate for professional suppliers and the consumers they serve. She has presented at the Canadian Seating Symposium, RESNA Conference, AOTA Conference, Medtrade, ISS and the NSM Symposium. Walker is an iNRRTS Fellow and served as the iNRRTS executive director for 10 years.

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