Credentialing changes and exam revisions
Hewey, Bernard
Description
Collection
Title:
Credentialing changes and exam revisions
Creator:
Hewey, Bernard
Date:
3/9/2010
Text:
It was with a mixture of surprise and consternation that I happened across the announcement on the ABC web site concerning the title change for credentialed technicians and the pending changes to the Technician Exam. Two questions immediately came to the fore.
While the title Certified may engender some personal cachet, does it have any tangible benefits in the workplace? Will employers remunerate their technical staff commensurate with the skill set that the title implies? Also, the implication that the Certified technician will need to possess an expanded skill set has far-reaching consequences for the educational system charged with both training and preparing the future O&P technical workforce. This segues perfectly into the next concern.
The article alludes to substantial changes to the content and assessment areas of the technician exam. The most recent technician practice analysis reveals several changes to what was the traditional role of the technician. Current technician standards do not reflect these changes. These findings certainly suggest that the preparation and training of future technicians should incorporate the conclusions of the PATF in the revision and development of supporting curricula. Only after practice standards are identified and established can educational curricula be developed to accurately align with these standards. Once these elements are in place the exam, serving as an assessment tool, should be developed. The baseline skill level of the aspiring technician, whether coming from an educational program or an experiential environment, can then be more accurately gauged.
Developing an assessment instrument in a vacuum without significant contribution from the educational community and practice owners and then expecting educational institutions to essentially guess at what the exam committee deems relevant is counterproductive and not in the best interests of all stakeholders. While I applaud the technician exam team for realizing the importance of a relevant assessment tool that reflects current industry trends and practices, I feel that this is a case of the tail wagging the dog.
Bernard Hewey, Instructor
Orthotics-Prosthetics Technician Program
Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive MS 3190
Spokane, WA 99224-5288
Phone (509) 533-3733
Fax (509) 533-4143
<Email Address Redacted> <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>>
While the title Certified may engender some personal cachet, does it have any tangible benefits in the workplace? Will employers remunerate their technical staff commensurate with the skill set that the title implies? Also, the implication that the Certified technician will need to possess an expanded skill set has far-reaching consequences for the educational system charged with both training and preparing the future O&P technical workforce. This segues perfectly into the next concern.
The article alludes to substantial changes to the content and assessment areas of the technician exam. The most recent technician practice analysis reveals several changes to what was the traditional role of the technician. Current technician standards do not reflect these changes. These findings certainly suggest that the preparation and training of future technicians should incorporate the conclusions of the PATF in the revision and development of supporting curricula. Only after practice standards are identified and established can educational curricula be developed to accurately align with these standards. Once these elements are in place the exam, serving as an assessment tool, should be developed. The baseline skill level of the aspiring technician, whether coming from an educational program or an experiential environment, can then be more accurately gauged.
Developing an assessment instrument in a vacuum without significant contribution from the educational community and practice owners and then expecting educational institutions to essentially guess at what the exam committee deems relevant is counterproductive and not in the best interests of all stakeholders. While I applaud the technician exam team for realizing the importance of a relevant assessment tool that reflects current industry trends and practices, I feel that this is a case of the tail wagging the dog.
Bernard Hewey, Instructor
Orthotics-Prosthetics Technician Program
Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive MS 3190
Spokane, WA 99224-5288
Phone (509) 533-3733
Fax (509) 533-4143
<Email Address Redacted> <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>>
Citation
Hewey, Bernard, “Credentialing changes and exam revisions,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231243.
