My name is Justine Steinberger and I am a physical therapist member of the APTANJ, writing to petition for the development of an Early Professional Special Interest Group (EPSIG) within the American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey.
The purpose and intent of the EP SIG is to serve and support physical therapists and physical therapist assistants transitioning from being a student to a licensed and practicing professional in the state of New Jersey. The EP SIG will also act as a facilitator to retain more student members as they transition to a professional membership. The national APTA organization has identified Early Professional interest and engagement as a growing need. According to data from APTA National, there are 7 states and one section (pelvic health) which have developed Early Professional special interest groups and programs. As a founding member of the Early Professional SIG of Massachusetts, I have experienced firsthand the benefits that this SIG has on the recruitment and retention of new physical therapists and assistants as well as the achievement in developing successful careers and new leaders in our profession.
The EP SIG will serve to: •Educate EPs about the structure and organization of APTANJ and APTA national. •Foster leadership, advocacy, and involvement from the beginning of new physical therapists and physical therapist assistant’s careers. This would include education on the importance of advocacy and work to involve EPs with the APTA from the start of their careers. •Coordinate with students to help transition student members and educate on the importance and benefit of membership as an EP. •Provide an area of support and programming for EPs regarding topics specific to individuals at the beginning of their career. Some examples include financial wellness, smart interviewing and job search, career path options, and preventing burnout. •Plan social opportunities for involvement and networking purposes, which would be planned throughout districts for EPs and students. •Foster leadership within the organization, specifically within passionate EPs. This includes leadership within the EP SIG and within the APTANJ by having more new clinicians engaged in chapter events and responsibilities. •Create an opportunity for mentorship both within the EP SIG and outside of the SIG within the APTANJ chapter or specific practice settings.
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