Have you ever considered stepping out of “traditional” or clinical roles as a licensed clinician? Have you considered nonclinical roles? Have you thought about stepping away from direct patient care while still making a positive impact on patients, organizations, and even your profession?
I recently had a chance to sit down with Meredith Castin, PT, DPT, from The Nonclinical PT to talk about just that. For those of you who have kept up with me for a while, you’ve likely heard the story behind Rehab U Practice Solutions, and how I got into healthcare and even Occupational Therapy. In fact, one of my firsts posts on this site was an interview about stepping out of clinical care into the role of healthcare consultant.
This interview with the Nonclinical PT provides a little more background, context and the tactics I employed to make the transition, to secure non-traditional roles and even a little bit of philosophy about starting a business and the like. Here’s an excerpt:
I actually got the idea for Rehab U Practice Solutions when I was working on a project at the VA. It was a roll-out of a program called relationship-based care. It was aimed at improving both employee and patient engagement in the treatment programs and healthcare services.
That project opened my eyes to the problems that currently exist in healthcare. I mean, we all know that increasing productivity demands and metrics-based healthcare management isn’t good for clinicians or patients, but I got to see behind the curtain so to speak. I got to see the drivers behind these decisions and more importantly, I began to form a vision for how healthcare could be better.
That sparked the idea behind Rehab U: the idea that patients aren’t numbers on a spreadsheet, but unique individuals with a unique set of circumstances, on a unique road to recovery—and it is our job as clinicians to meet them where they are and help them achieve their goals.
We shouldn’t try to fit patients into our mold for treatment programs, but rather we should mold our treatment programs around the individual circumstances of each patient. That why the first course I developed as part of Rehab U’s online offerings is on the Biopsychosocial Model and its implications for rehab practice.
Check out the full article here!
What are your thoughts on non-traditional or non-clinical roles for licensed healthcare providers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For more informational reads, check out our Insights Page to see all the articles we’ve published to date. Click here to head over to our resources section and check out our variety of clinical and professional resources aimed at increasing your knowledge and skills. Or you can check out our online courses and programs. If you’d like to make some changes in your clinic or health center, and would like some help, check out our consulting and advisement services or contact us to see how we can help you break out of the norm and provide a truly impactful patient experience.
Rafael E. Salazar II, MHS, OTR/L (Rafi) is the Principal Owner of Rehab U Practice Solutions. He has experience in a variety of rehab settings, working with patients recovering from a variety of injuries and surgeries. He worked as the lead clinician in an outpatient specialty clinic at his local VA Medical center, where he worked on projects to improve patient & employee engagement and experience throughout the organization. He also has experience as an adjunct faculty instructor at Augusta University’s Occupational Therapy Program, as a Licensed Board Member on the GA State OT Board, has served on several committees for the national OT Board (NBCOT), and as a consultant working for the State of Georgia’s DBHDD. He is also on the Board of Directors for NBCOT. He works to help healthcare clinics and organizations deliver uniquely impactful patient experiences by improving service delivery through training & advisement and through courses & training programs.
Read his full bio Here. Read about Rehab U Here.
Schedule a call with him Here.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks