Newsletter [1997 : fall, no.19]

North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners ишщьшгаж Issue 19 Fall 1997 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE J. HERMAN BUNCH, Jr., PT, M.Ed., АТС n behalf of the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (NCBPTE), I wish to express our appreciation to the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association (NCPTA) for their collaboration in several areas of our work these past two years. We especially thank the Association members who have so generously given their time and expertise in serving on the Committees for Supervision Issues and the Practice Under Pressure reference book. The Licensure Board is most fortu¬ nate to enjoy the spirit of cooperation generated by these two groups. The time and effort committed to the challenging task of developing a framework which meets the needs of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and satisfies the legal require¬ ments of the Physical Therapy Practice Act is especially rewarding. Moreover, special recognition must be extended to Ben F. Massey, Jr., our Executive Director, and John M. Silverstein, Board Attorney, who were invaluable in resolving problems which we have experienced regarding supervision issues. In addition, the NCBPTE appreciates the large number of licensees who have attended the regional meetings on super¬ vision issues. The interest as well as the input from the attendees has been outstanding. In closing, the Board continues to strive in the delicate balance between our mission to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public and the need to be responsive to the ever chang¬ ing world of health care. Thanks again for your support and cooperation as we continue to address issues and concerns for practicing clinicians and administra¬ tors. FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BEN F. MASSEY, Jr., PT License Renewal is Very Important! The role of the Board is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public as it relates to the practice of physical therapy. This is done primarily through licensure. Each licensee is instructed in their initial licensure letter that it is the licensee’s responsibility to renew their license by January 31. Licensees who fail to renew their license and practice without a valid license are in violation of the law and are subject to disci¬ plinary action. Licensees in North Carolina who fail to renew are notified by a certified letter. In addition, their employers are noti¬ fied. Failure to renew one’s professional license has significant implications. First and foremost, the licensee is practicing without a valid license. Employers are required to reimburse patients and third party payors for services that were per¬ formed by a non-licensed individual. In some cases, the employers have required licensees to provided compensation for the “oversight.” Licensees have been reduced to the pay scale of an Aide during the time that their license is not valid. Licensees have been demoted and disciplinary actions have been brought against these licensees by their employees. The Board takes license renewals very seriously. In 1997, sixteen private repri¬ mands were issued for failure to renew. The Board has indicated that in 1998 it may take a stronger stand for licensees who fail to renew. I encourage you to renew your license early (no later that January 10) to assure that it does not lapse. In addition, it is imperative that licensees keep mailing addresses cur¬ rent. From January through July, 1997, the Board and Office have been very busy. • The Office renewed approximately 5400 licenses. • The Board licensed 399 new PTs and 130 new PTAs. • Board Meetings were conducted on January 23, April 17, and July 17. • The Board issued 32 disciplinary actions. • The PTA Screenings Task Force conducted three meetings. • The Investigative Committee conducted seven meetings and discussed 36 new complaints. • Three educational programs on supervision issues were conducted across the state and 125 copies of Practice Under Pressure were sold. • The Board Chairman served as Delegate to the Federation Assembly in San Diego, CA • The Executive Director was elected as an offi¬ cer of the Council of Board Administrators and attended three national meetings.