Title: Office Ergonomics
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11, 12:00 pm-1:00pm ET
Presenter: Brett Sanders MS, OTR/L, CEAS, COEE
Description: Office Ergonomics is a valuable tool that Occupational Therapists can utilize to be versatile in the current industrial or health care space. Many complaints of discomfort due to improper desk set up are not debilitating but moderate level overuse symptoms. Learning simple techniques about proper desk set up and anthropometrics can give you the tools you need to succeed. This practice chat will give you a much better understanding of what to look for or reinforce the skills you may already have. Join us on February 11th and start out the new year on the right foot!  Our guest presenter is Brett Sanders MS, OTR/L, CEAS, COEE. Brett has been an Occupational Therapist for 29 years and has treated in a variety of settings ranging from operating rooms to manufacturing floors. As a leader in injury prevention, workers compensation injuries and ergonomics, Brett is sought after for his ability to reduce musculoskeletal injuries by teaming with management, educating employees and methodically achieving desired results.
Recording: See the recording on CommunOT!

Title: The Inside Scoop on Vocational Rehabilitation… and How Your Clients Can Benefit from It
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 17 | 12:00–1:00 pm ET
Presenter: Carrie Clawson, OTD, OT/L, ATP with Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Description: Use real-world case studies to illustrate the tangible impact of these services on work performance. Highlight the established role of OTPs in Virginia’s VR team, with insights from Michigan, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Ohio. Go beyond traditional VR services such as assistive technology, worksite modifications, and ergonomics to explore emerging employment needs of the neurodiverse population. Share how OTPs in Virginia’s VR agency address self-regulation and lifestyle factors to boost employment outcomes.

Title: Case Management in Worker’s Compensation: The Role of the OTP
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 1:00–2:00 pm ET
Presenter: Thomas F. Fisher, PhD, OTR/ L , CCM, FAOTA, Dean & Professor Emeritus Indiana State University
Description: This practice chat introduced participants to case management and its importance with worker’s compensation. Injured workers can cost companies millions of dollars in surgeries, various physician visits, therapy, loss wages and replacement workers while the injured worker is away. The chat discussed strategies and opportunities for the OTPs.
Recording: See the recording on CommunOT!

Title: OTPs Role in Clinical Return to Work Decisions and the SSDI Process
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 | 12:00–1:30 pm ET
Presenter: Leonard Matheson PhD, CRE, CVC & Matthew Dodson, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Description: This practice chat introduced participants to an easily accessible tool maintained by the Department of Labor (O*NET) that clearly identifies essential cognitive and physical job activities that can be integrated into clinical rehabilitation settings. Examples of ways to integrate O*NET job activities into clinical rehabilitation were provided, including evaluating how and when the client is appropriate for an RTW attempt. Presenters explored further how OTPs can apply our skillset in the disability determination process of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. This includes an orientation to “What it means when a client says they are applying for SSDI” and how to best support them.
Recording: See the recording on CommunOT!