The staffing shortages are affecting businesses across the country, and PT clinics are no exception. In 2021, about 22,032 physical therapists exited the workforce leaving a major gap in employment for many clinics. In a competitive job market, PT clinics face the crucial task of standing out.
One of the most compelling ways to do so? Merging cutting-edge technology with robust clinical education programs. Let’s explore how this combo can give PT clinics a distinctive edge in attracting the industry's best.
>> Learn more about Staffing and Retention success for PTs in a recent Jason Waz interview
As a physical therapy business owner, it’s important to have a unique selling proposition to attract clients. The same concept also applies to attracting potential employees. You have to create a unique working proposition.
In other words, why would a top performer want to work at your PT clinic?
To develop a unique working proposition, first identify what’s most important to your potential job candidates. Technology and innovative PT devices can be an easy selling point for growth-oriented physical therapists. For instance, at Competitive Edge Performance, CEO Jason Waz has established his clinic as a progressive practice that utilizes technology and training programs to provide the most comprehensive and efficient treatments. As a result, therapists from out of state will reach out when positions are available because they desire a work environment that puts them at the forefront of their industry.
Essentially, employees choose to work at CEP, because they want to become a part of an progressive institution with state-of-the-art technology.
Leading the charge of today’s PT technologies, Winback and HRV systems have revolutionized patient care. These tools allow for more precise diagnostics, personalized treatments and enhanced recovery times. With the integration of these devices at CEP, Waz noticed he was receiving many more applicants from across the country that wanted to learn and work with these technologies.
Bottom line: PTs want to be at clinics that offer the latest and most efficient tools for their patients. When a clinic positions itself as a technological pioneer, it sends a message: "We're future-focused." And for a lot of top-performing PTs, that's an irresistible lure.
Having great tech is one part of the equation. The other? Ensuring PTs are fully equipped to harness its potential. That's where Clinical Education Programs come into play.
Jason Waz highlighted the power of education at CEP: "We host 12-15 DPT students each year and after their final clinical year with us, each clinician becomes an APTA Certified Clinical Instructor.”
Not only does this showcase CEP’s commitment to professional growth but also emphasizes their commitment to technological advancements.
The combination of hands-on tech experience with structured education ensures that PTs aren't just using the tools but are mastering them. It’s a symbiotic relationship: technology offers more to the patient, and education ensures the PT delivers it at an optimal level.
Jason's experience at CEP culminated in the creation of NeuPTtech's MVP Program, which encapsulates the synergy between clinical education and technology. The MVP program is a hands-on experience for clinicians to use the latest PT technologies and operational disciplines so that they can easily integrate these devices and efficiencies into their treatment plans.
It’s not just about training; it's an educational program using today’s technological landscape, making it an invaluable resource for any clinic wishing to up its appeal for the modern clinician.
For PT clinics aiming to ride the wave of the future and stand out, the formula is clear: Tech + Education = Top Talent.
By embracing both, clinics not only enhance their patient care but also position themselves as prime hubs for the industry's best PT professionals. The dual strategy ensures a win-win for all, from clinic owners to therapists and, most importantly, the patients they serve.