MN APTA COMMITTTEES & WORKGROUPS:
MN APTA COMMITTTEES & WORKGROUPS: |
STUDENTS: Are you looking for a way to juggle the costs of student loans and professional membership? Visit APTA's Student Member Starter Dues web page to learn how you can save 50% in your first year of non-student APTA membership!
Scroll down to learn more about how to get the most out of your clinical instruction experience, and to learn how to get involved with SSIG!
WHAT IS SSIG?
We are the Student Special Interest Group of the Minnesota Chapter of the APA. Our purpose is to create opportunities for PT and PTA students to network with each other as well as professionals, find a mentor, develop leadership opportunities, get involved in our Minnesota chapter APTA, and aid in the promotion of our profession. Our goals for the past year were to increase student membership and involvement in the APTA and SSIG, have at least one student serve on each committee of the MN APTA and have fun! This group was created for us, the students of the profession to serve our interests. We encourage all PT and PTA students to get involved. Please feel free to contact any of the officers at any time with questions, comments and suggestions. We want to hear from you!
 |
SSIG members help facilitate a Conference Silent Auction |
SSIG MEETINGS
The SSIG meets at both the Fall and Spring MN APTA Conferences. We invite all PT and PTA students to attend and get involved in our group.
SSIG GOALS
Increase student membership in the APTA
Have at least one student serve on each committee of the MN APTA
Increase student involvement in the MN APTA and SSIG
GET INVOLVED!
By Meagan Binenstock, PT, former SSIG chair
As students we are able to gain experience working with people during our clerkships and clinical affiliations, but there are also many opportunities that we have for providing community service outside of our academics and research. It is through these opportunities that we are able to make a difference in someone’s day, gain valuable hands-on experience, meet new people and have fun!
Some of the volunteer opportunities that students from the University of Minnesota have participated in include the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Special Olympics Fun Fitness Event, the National Wheelchair Games, Courage Kids Yoga Class in Burnsville, Capernaum’s Adaptive T-Ball program and the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic--just to name a few. The Phillips Neighborhood Clinic is a student-run, physician supervised medical clinic that delivers affordable care to the underinsured of the Phillips community. The clinic is a joint effort of the students and faculty of the U of M Academic Health Center, Center for Health Interdisciplinary Programs, and the Community University Health Care Center. Students from the U of M also volunteer one Tuesday a month at the Diabetic Foot Care Clinic, which is housed in the diabetic clinic provided by Indian Health Services in Minneapolis. Students are performing foot screens, providing foot and wound care, as well as educating clients regarding proper foot care for people with diabetes.
The Student Special Interest Group plans volunteer opportunities throughout the year. If you are interested in getting involved or have ideas for SSIG events, please contact SSIG Chair Kristen Bailey, SPT!
SSIG ELECTION INFORMATION: EXECUTIVE BOARD
SSIG Chair |
|
SSIG Members |
Amy Belleba, SPT |
| Would you like to get involved with SSIG? Download an Executive Board application [DOC] or scroll down to learn how to get involved with the Executive board! | |
All students are automatically members of SSIG and are encouraged to attend SSIG meetings. For more information on SSIG, please contact SSIG Chair Kristen Bailey, SPT.
SSIG CHAIR
The Chairperson shall be responsible for preparing agendas for all SSIG meetings. The Chairperson shall preside at all SSIG and Executive Board meetings. The Chairperson shall report annually to the SSIG membership, at Executive Board meetings and is responsible for the SSIG’s reports to the MNAPTA Board of Directors.
SSIG VICE CHAIR
The Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties of the Chairperson at the request of the Chairperson or in the absence of the Chairperson. In the event that the Secretary runs for office during his/her term, the Vice-Chairperson will assume responsibility for the ballot.
SSIG SECRETARY/PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Secretary/Public Relations shall oversee the election process unless he or she is on the ballot and shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all SSIG and Executive Board meetings. The Secretary/PR shall notify SSIG members of the date, time, and place of SSIG meetings. The Secretary/PR shall be responsible for maintaining the SSIG’s archives and correspondence and making SSIG minutes and bylaws available to the membership.
SSIG TREASURER
The Treasurer shall be responsible for accounting for the SSIG funds and preparing a financial report for the membership at the fall meeting.
SSIG SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
The Special Events Coordinator shall oversee programming of meetings and activities/events.
BENEFITS OF SERVING ON THE SSIG EXECUTIVE BOARD
Many networking opportunities with physical therapists and assistants in the community
Opportunity to work with students from other programs
Become more involved in current issues affecting our profession
A way to get your ideas put into action
Great leadership experience and resume builder!
SSIG ELECTION PROCESS
Each year elections for the Executive Board are held at the MN APTA Spring Conference during the SSIG Business meeting. Any PT or PTA student that is a member of the APTA is eligible to run for each position. The candidate responses to the attached application questions will be made available to those attending the SSIG business meeting. The PT and PTA students who are present at the meeting will be allowed to cast one vote for each position. You do not have to attend the conference to vote, however you must attend the SSIG business meeting in order to vote. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote. To apply for a position, fill out the application form as described below.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Download and fill out the Executive Board application [DOC]. Please feel free to use a separate sheet to complete your responses. You may return the application via mail or email to the addresses listed below. Applications must be returned by April 1, 2008. Your responses will be made available to those students present to vote. The SSIG business meeting will be held during the Spring Conference at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN on April 20, 2008.
MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:
A panel of eight experienced clinical instructors answered the following questions for students regarding their clinical experience, during MN APTA's 2006 Fall Conference:
1. When is a good time to ask your CI questions?
Consult your CI ahead of time to find out what they prefer (asking during treatment sessions, after sessions, etc.). It may depend on the patient and what your relationship is with them – whether or not you are treating them independently, co-treating with your CI, observing.
2. What are some characteristics of a student you would hire?
a student who is always on time and prepared
a student who is receptive to learning from CI feedback
responsible
self-motivated
a student who gets along well with others and is flexible
a student who is able to adapt to different situations easily
recognizing that we are a service-oriented profession – deliver your skills as a service
important to be a member of the APTA
3. How does a CI prepare for having a student?
Review student info
Prepare orientation information
Correspond with the student (it is important to contact your CI ahead of time)
Preparing learning profile assessments
4. What do you expect of students? How do your expectations differ depending on student experience?
More is expected of students on later clinicals (#4 vs. #1)
CIs will make sure you’re ready to become a member of the profession (they owe it to our profession to push you to experience difficult situations)
Don’t set yourself up to lower the bar – CI’s know this is a new experience for you, so don’t be afraid to use all of your available resources
Professionalism is important
Set goals ahead of time that are specific to the setting
5. What do you suggest for reflection or preparation at the beginning of the day?
Ask yourself in-depth questions about what you desire from this experience
Set aside time to discuss issues and situations with your CI
6. How do you suggest a student attains professional growth?
Always have goals to aspire to
Find a mentor
Be a member of the APTA
Commit to lifelong learning and continue to build your skills throughout your career
Aspire to evidence-based practice
Continue your education and do more than the required minimum
Build your network of professional contacts
Connect with people in the profession with common interests
Bring what you learn from continuing education back to your worksite
7. If you and your CI have a conflict of interest, what is the best way to approach them?
Do not do it in front of a patient
Be direct
Don’t be afraid to approach your CI – just make sure you can explain your reasoning
Your CI wants to learn from you, too!
8. Can you ask patients for feedback about how you are doing?
Read your patient – sometimes it is OK, sometimes it is not
Be careful – you don’t want to give the impression that you are unsure about what you are doing to the patient.
Don’t ask your patient to compare you to your CI; instead, ask the patient if they feel comfortable and/or safe
9. How should you prepare for the board exam?
Review books and courses
Practice exams
Minnesota Chapter American Physical Therapy Association (MN APTA)
970 Raymond Avenue | Suite G-40 | Saint Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 651-635-0902 | Fax: 651-635-0903 | E-mail: info@mnapta.org | Online: www.mnapta.org
All contents © 2008 Minnesota Chapter American Physical Therapy Association. All Rights Reserved.
| Disclaimer |