Governor Christine Gregoire appointed Susan Schofield, PTA, to the Board of Physical Therapy as the first PTA on the board. Schofield is the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Whatcom Community College. She has been a PTA for 15 years and has worked in neurological rehabilitation and acute care in addition to her work as an educator.
Schofield shared a few of her thoughts on being appointed and some of her goals as a board member. Here they are, in her words:
“I am honored to be the first PTA appointed to the board and I want to do the best job I can. My first objective has been to be educated and well informed about the duties and responsibilities I’ve taken on with this role. I’ve gone to many training seminars related to our state’s ethics laws, the board’s working relationship with the Department of Health, rule making, the legislative process, credentialing, working with the media, the disciplinary process and, of course, actual board meetings.
“I see myself as a representative of PTAs in our state and as an advocate for our profession. As a PTA educator at Whatcom Community College, I can speak to the extensive scope of our education, the clinical competencies within our scope of practice and the collaborative advantage both PTAs and PTs can enjoy working together. I view this as an opportunity to more thoroughly understand the complex legal and ethical issues of our profession and to fairly uphold our standards of practice.”
We also caught up with Chuck Martin, chair of the Board of Physical Therapy. Here is what he told us about Schofield:
“The PT licensing Board has been looking forward to having a PTA join us as a member. When reviewing public complaints it is important for the licensing board to draw on a broad base of experiences and expertise in the provision of Physical Therapy Services. With the licensing of PTAs it is important that the board has the perspective of a PTA to draw on. The PT licensing Board is delighted with Governor Gregoire’s selection of Susan. She brings excellent experience from her military and educational background. Her perspective has proven to be valuable addition to the board.”
This Just In 