MAKE SURE YOU SIGN IN

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MAKE SURE YOU SIGN IN

• (IF YOU DONT SIGN IN, YOU DONT EXIST)

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Welcome To The Athletic Trainers
SectionBreakout Session
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While I ramble on, consider these questions.

• Is YOUR practice in compliance with the laws and
  rules that govern the practice of athletic
  training in the State of Ohio?
• How do YOU stay current on the laws and rules?
• Do YOU understand Ohios continuing education
  requirements?
• Have YOU ever been aware of or involved in a
  situation that seemed unethical and/or illegal?

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Free CE aside, what are we really doing here?

• The goal of the breakout session is to help
  prevent licensees from endangering their Ohio AT
  license by
• Exploring recent law revisions
• Providing insight into frequently asked practice
  questions
• Reporting recent trends in complaints,
  violations, and discipline that exists in the
  practice of athletic training in the State of
  Ohio.

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EXTRA! EXTRA!LAW CHANGE EFFECTIVE MAY 2007!

• Language Change
• No person shall claim to the public to be an
  athletic trainer or imply by words, actions, or
  letters that the person is an athletic trainer
  unless the person is licensed as an athletic
  trainer, or otherwise engage in the practice of
  athletic training. ORC 4755.62 (A)

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Technically speaking, what does this change mean?

• Unlicensed persons cannot represent or refer to
  themselves as an athletic trainer, or engage in
  the practice of athletic training.
• Does not include individuals who have other
  professional licensure, (EMT, RN, etc.), who ARE
  functioning within their scope of practice.
• If other licensed professionals identify
  themselves as athletic trainers when they do
  not hold an Ohio AT license, or you suspect they
  are exceeding their licensures scope of
  practice you SHOULD report the issue to the
  Board.

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LAW CHANGE EFFECTIVE APRIL 6, 2007

• A person sanctioned shall pay a fee in the
  amount of the actual cost of the administrative
  hearing including the cost of the court reporter,
  the hearing officer, transcripts, and any witness
  fees for lodging and travel, as determined by the
  appropriate section of the board. ORC 4755.031

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LAW AND RULE CHANGES EFFECTIVE MAY 2007!

• Per Ohio Revised Code Section 4755.64 (A), the
  Board now has the ability to levy a fine against
  a licensee

• Fines are only used with certain violations
• Purpose is to deter, then to discipline
• Fines are determined by the AT Section of the
  Board
• Fines first utilized with 2007 CE audit

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LAW AND RULE CHANGES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2008!

• 4755-43-11 Approval Of An Event
• An organizer of an event at which athletic
  trainers not licensed in Ohio will be performing
  athletic training services (e.g. regional track
  tournament), must apply to the Athletic Trainers
  Section for approval of the event.
• Does not apply to athletic trainers who are
  traveling with a visiting team who will only be
  providing athletic training services to the
  members of that visiting team (e.g. an out of
  state baseball team).
• Form found on the Boards website.

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LAW AND RULE CHANGES EFFECTIVE MAY 2009!

• Language changes and additions to rule
  4755-41-01, Code of Ethics.
• It is your responsibility to be familiar with new
  changes.
• Check the Boards website for the most up to date
  version of the Ohio AT Practice Act.

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RULE CHANGE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2007!

• RENEWAL PERIOD CHANGE
• (4755-43-08)
• Renewal period changed from May 15th to September
  30th.
• All Ohio licensed ATs will be renewing their
  license by September 30th of all EVEN numbered
  years.
• After the May 15, 2009 renewal, all ATs will be
  on the EVEN year renewal cycle starting in 2010.

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Along with the renewal period change, there has
also been a change to the amount of CE you will
need per renewal period!
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A Change Is On The Way!

• The Board reduced the amount of CE required per
  renewal period.
• The change reduces the amount of CE from 50 to 25
  (most max/min. reduced by ½).
• No credit will be given for CPR/First Aid
  completion.
• Rule change will go into effect on May 16, 2009.
• Check the Boards website for updates, as you
  will be responsible for practicing in accordance
  with the new rules.

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KNOW YOUR REVISED CE CATEGORIES

• Ethics
• Participation in professional workshops, seminars
  and/or conferences
• Presentations/Poster presentation
• Publications of original work
• Described in OAC rule 4755-45-01

• Self-study
• Postgraduate coursework
• Post-professional athletic training education
  program
• No credit for CPR/first aid after this renewal
  period

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25 Is Not The Only Number You Need To Know

• YOU MUST HAVE
• 5 Hours in a professional workshop, conference
  and/or seminar
• 1 Hour of Ethics

• YOU MUST NOT EXCEED
• 20 Hours of postgraduate
• 20 Hours of Self-Study
• 20 Hours for original publications
• 10 Hours for presentations
• 1 Hour for Laws and Rules exam

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A Closer Look At the Ethics REQUIREMENT

• 1 HOUR EVERY RENEWAL CYCLE!!
• Can be fulfilled by one of the following
• ATTENDANCE AT THIS PRESENTATION!!
• Attendance at a workshop, seminar or conference
  where an hour is spent addressing ethics
• Presentation at a workshop, seminar or conference
  where an hour is spent addressing ethics
• Self study
• Attendance at a presentation by the AT section
• Passage of the Ohio Laws and Rules exam (it can
  be found on the Boards website and can only be
  used once during renewal cycle)
• Be aware of category maximums (ie. You cannot
  earn 10 hrs. in the presentation category and
  another 10 hrs. for presenting on ethics).

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A Closer Look At the Workshop/Seminar/Conference
REQUIREMENT

• A MINIMUM OF 5 HOURS must be earned each renewal
  cycle.
• No limit on hours earned in this category.
• Must meet the following criteria
• contribute directly to professional competency
• relate directly to the clinical practice,
  management or education of athletic training
• conducted by individuals who demonstrate
  expertise in the subject matter of the program
• KEEP ALL OF YOUR CERTIFICATES!!!

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A Closer Look At Presentation Guidelines

• 5 hours will be awarded per presentation/poster
  presentation, with a maximum of 10 hours per
  renewal cycle.
• Presentations must be made to health or education
  professionals and/or students (college level).
• Must directly relate to the clinical practice,
  management, or education of athletic training
  professionals.
• CE credit not awarded for subsequent
  presentations of the same material.

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A Closer Look At Postgraduate Coursework
Guidelines

• 5 contact hours awarded for each semester hour,
  with a maximum of 20 hours per renewal cycle.
• Postgraduate coursework DOES NOT count towards
  the 5 hours needed at professional workshops
  and/or seminars.
• Postgraduate coursework may count towards the
  ethics requirement, if applicable.
• Course needs to directly relate to the clinical
  practice, management, or education of athletic
  training.
• Proof of completion is an OFFICIAL transcript AND
  a copy of course description.

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A Closer Look At Post-Professional Athletic
Training Education Program Guidelines

• 25 hours awarded for graduation from a
  post-professional AT education program accredited
  by the NATA.
• 25 hours will ONLY be awarded in the year the
  licensee graduates.
• Proof of completion is an OFFICIAL transcript.

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A Closer Look At Publication Guidelines

• 20 hour maximum for this category.
• 10 hours awarded per original publication,
  published during your renewal period, in a state
  or national scientific journal or publication of
  a related professional organization.

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A Closer Look At Self-Study Guidelines

• Maximum of 20 hours per renewal period.
• Must relate to the practice of athletic training.
• Proof of completion is a course certificate or
  post-test results from the self-study sponsor.

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Please Take Note

• The changes to the CE requirements go into effect
  AFTER the May 15, 2009 renewal.
• The May 16, 2007 to May 15, 2009 renewal, will be
  the LAST renewal in which 50 hours of CE will be
  required.
• Go to the AT Continuing Education section of the
  website (otptat.ohio.gov) to view the CE chart to
  find out how many hours you will need for your
  next renewal.

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ATTENTION AUDITEES

• 20-30 of active licensees are selected for the
  audit after the renewal is completed
• Active licensees are randomly selected by the
  COMPUTER.( the Board isnt picking on you!)
• If you receive an audit notice letter from the
  Board, you are required to submit COPIES of your
  CE certificates to the Board office
• Failure to respond to the audit notice letter, or
  failure to obtain the required number of CE
  required for license renewal WILL RESULT IN
  DISCIPLINARY ACTION

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Check Your CE Twice!

• If You Are Audited This Year, Make Sure You
  Have.
• No less than 50 hours of CE earned in the two
  year period of May 16th to May 15th of your
  renewal year
• Copies of all CE certificates
• Your name, date, number of credits, and location
  on all certificates
• A minimum of 10 hours from conferences or
  seminars
• At least 1 hour of ethics

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New Addition!!

• A CE tracking form is now available on the
  Boards website at http//otptat.ohio.gov. It
  makes tracking CE easy and fun!
• .Well maybe not fun

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Commonly Asked Questions To The Athletic Trainers
Section

• Licensure vs. Certification
• Licensure Grace Period
• Use of Unlicensed Persons
• Supervision of AT Students
• Billing For Services
• Effects of PT Rule Changes

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Licensure vs. Certification

• It is ILLEGAL to practice as an AT in the State
  of Ohio without a valid Ohio license.
• A license must be issued PRIOR to beginning
  practice as an AT.
• BOC CERTIFICATION DOES NOT EQUAL STATE LICENSURE!
• BOC certification means you have passed the
  certification exam to become a CERTIFIED athletic
  trainer, not a LICENSED athletic trainer in the
  State of Ohio.

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Licensure Grace Period

• THERE IS NO LICENSURE GRACE PERIOD!!
• Between graduation and receiving a license, a new
  graduate is an UNLICENSED SUPPORT PERSON.
• Individuals licensed as ATs in a state other
  than Ohio may work as unlicensed support
  personnel until the Board issues an Ohio AT
  license.
• Help keep prospective licensees out of trouble!

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Unlicensed Persons in the AT Setting

• 4755-46-01 of the practice act.
• MUST HAVE on-site supervision by the AT.
• AT shall only delegate task to the unlicensed
  person when the AT is on-site.
• Cannot delegate the following to an unlicensed
  person
• Interpretation of licensed practitioner
  referrals
• Performance of evaluative procedures
• Initiation or adjustment of treatment procedures
  or activities
• Responsibility for planning patient care.

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Proper Supervision of AT Students

• AT students must be supervised by an Ohio
  licensed AT.
• Supervision involves daily visual and audible
  contact at all sites at which the student
  provides services.
• Documentation must include the students
  signature and a title which indicates student
  status (student must be currently enrolled in an
  accredited program).
• All documentation written by the student must be
  countersigned by supervising AT.
• OAC 4755-46-02

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Billing For Services

• Billing is not within the Boards jurisdiction,
  unless fraud is suspected.
• Nothing in the practice act prevents ATs from
  billing for services.
• Contact the OATA, the NATA, or refer to the CPT
  codes listed under physical medicine for billing
  advice.

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Billing, Medicare and BWC

• The Board has no jurisdiction over
  billing/Medicare/BWC matters, unless fraud is
  suspected.
• The Board cannot assist in clarification of
  Medicare/BWC issues.
• THE BOARD DOES NOT GIVE BILLING ADVICE!

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Impact of the Revised PT Rules on the Practice of
Athletic Training?

• Revised rules have NO impact on the practice of
  athletic training and made no significant change
  in the use of other licensed personnel in the
  practice of physical therapy.

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Impact of the Revised PT Rules on the Practice of
Athletic Training?

• Documentation by other licensed personnel is
  restricted to an accounting of the activities
  provided, which may include patient comments
  during activities and a description of the
  patients response or ability/inability to
  perform specific components of the program.
• Any interpretation of that response, assessment
  of a patients progress, and prognosis or plan
  revision must be documented by the physical
  therapist of record.

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This Next Series Of Slides Is Sponsored By

• The Enforcement Division

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What Do We Investigate?

• Physical abuse/injuries to a patient
• Patient neglect
• Falsification of documentation
• Billing fraud
• Failure to complete documentation prior to ending
  employment
• Mental impairment issues

• Drug/alcohol abuse
• Competency issues
• Criminal convictions
• Unprofessional behavior
• Unlicensed practice
• Failure to complete CE required for license
  renewal
• Falsifying an application

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Number of AT Cases Investigated Per Year
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Breakdown of Cases Handled From 2000-2008

• Avg. of 23 AT cases/year
• CE violations make up nearly half of all
  violations
• Unlicensed practice, practice prior are the next
  most common violations

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Most Common Violations

• CE violations
• Unlicensed practice
• Practice prior to licensure
• Sexual misconduct
• Practice on an expired license

• Scope of practice issues

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Behave yourself, or else

• All cases are reviewed by the Athletic Trainers
  Investigative Review Panel.
• Fining, probation, reprimand, suspension, and
  revocation, are all disciplinary remedies
  utilized by the Board.
• Discipline IS case specific.
• No set discipline for violations, but there are
  guidelines that the ATIRP does follow to maintain
  consistency in regards to discipline for specific
  violations.

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Tips To Stay Out Of Trouble

• Familiarize yourself with the laws and rules.
• Visit the Boards website to stay abreast of any
  law changes.
• Use the Boards website to verify that your
  license is in good standing.
• Notify the Board of any address or employment
  change within 30 days. (If you dont, you may not
  receive your renewal information and end up
  practicing on an expired license, subjecting
  yourself to disciplinary action).
• DO YOUR CE.
• If you have questions or concerns, contact the
  Board.

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Things To Keep In Mind.

• If you renew your license and do not receive a
  new pocket ID card with an updated expiration
  date, verify your licensure status with the Board
  prior to commencing practice after your
  expiration date.
• As healthcare professionals, you do have an
  ethical obligation to report any behavior you
  believe is unethical and/or illegal (Code of
  Ethics 4755-41-01(B)(2)).
• Disciplinary actions are public record and are
  permanent be aware of your practice act and any
  changes that occur over the years.

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Web Site Overview

• Licensure verification
• Expired license listing
• On-line license renewal
• Laws and rules
• Continuing education requirement grid
• Continuing education tracking form
• Laws and rules examinations
• Enforcement actions/complaint form
• Change of name/address/employment form
• Applications for licensure/reinstatement
• http//otptat.ohio.gov

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Were here to help..except on the weekends

• Questions? Concerns? Information is available.
• http//otptat.ohio.gov
• Join the Boards listserv
• Review the laws and rules
• Contact the Board office
• Office Hours are 8am-5pm
• Email
• Fax
• Telephone
• Snail mail

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This is what youve been waiting for. the LAST
real slide

• The bottom line
• Its your license.
• Be conscious of the decisions you make.
• Dont let the environment (company/facility/school
  ) you work in, jeopardize the standing of your
  license.
• TAKE CARE OF YOUR LICENSE!

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Wait Just a Second, Were Not Quite Done Yet

• Post-Test
• Please take the time to comment on Athletic
  Trainers Section Breakout Session
• Turn in Post-Test
• Be A Good AT!