Research shows that CWcHP credential for physical therapists becoming a necessary credential in workers’ compensation rehabilitation cases

Chicago, IL---May 14, 2013 --- The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) announced today that research conducted on the Certified Workers Compensation Healthcare Provider accreditation (CWcHP™) showed that attorneys who work in the area of workers’ compensation cases view the CWcHP accreditation as an advance to their career and a boost to their credentials. The CWcHP certification is now two years old and has grown steadily in being recognized as a needed credential to provide rehabilitation services to workers’ compensation cases. The CWcHP certification is gaining attention from professionals in the legal field as a mark that a therapist is qualified at the highest level to assist the client to return to work safely and efficiently. 750 Attorneys chosen randomly from across the country were surveyed on the utility of physical therapists, occupational therapists and athletic trainers becoming CWcHP certified in order to work with workers’ compensation rehabilitation cases. 60 percent of the respondents stated that such certification would advance these professionals in their career and bolster their credentials. 
Prior to the establishment of this certification, physical therapists and athletic trainers who rehabilitate patients under their workers’ compensation were not required to meet specific standards in order to care for these patients.

A certified healthcare worker providing services bolsters the confidence that a patient is getting quality care in their rehabilitation and has implications in employer’s decisions on disability, benefits and cases involved in litigation.

         “What we have found, through our own feedback and outreach, is that attorneys and legal aids are now looking at this certification as a card in hand, so to speak, something that can measure a rehab professional’s competency, having certified therapists is a step a rehab facility can take to ensure all therapists are up to the task.” Says Andrew Teunis, Director of Development at ISPA and one of the developers of the CWcHP certification.
This certification and examination arose out of the need for therapists and trainers to show competency in the delivery of services to workers’ compensation patients.

“In a previous research study we conducted, nurse case managers declared this need for certification by even stronger percentages. Certification of physical therapists and all health care professionals is necessary in workers’ compensation rehabilitation cases to ensure that the health care professional is well versed on the clinical needs, the legal issues, and the employment needs required in these cases.” Says Dr. John Mayer, President of ISPA.

To obtain the CWcHP™ applicants must be in the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy or athletic training and they must pass the certification exam. The exam covers three areas of competency: clinical issues, legal issues and employer based knowledge. The test took two years to develop and utilizes the knowledge of leading physical therapy providers as well as state-of-the-art research in this field.

After passing the examination a professional can use the initials, CWcHP™ after his/her name and on promotional materials.
“This certification holds healthcare providers to a higher standard as well as advances their careers as distinguished providers of excellence,” explains Andrew Teunis, also the certification test developer.

Complete information on the new certification and the exam can be found at: www.workcompcertification.com or the certifying association’s web site: www.theISPA.org. 
 
 
The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA™) is the world’s largest credentialing service for professionals in sports. The ISPA sets standards for its membership by providing professional services to the sports world spanning from children’s’ sports to professional athletes. The ISPA includes a wide variety of professional occupations from coaches, sport psychologists, physicians, accountants, agents, physical therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, sport physiologists, trainers, and more. ISPA designates that member professionals adhere to a strict code of ethics and have met the highest standards in their fields to provide professional services to athletes and to sports.

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Contact Information

Dr. John Mayer

President-ISPA

International Sports Professionals Association-ISPA

(1) (312)-917-1240

Contact via E-mail