Licensure renewal is an important goal of staff education and training. Rehabilitation professionals have to meet certain education requirements to maintain current licensure. These requirements vary by state, however most include a minimum number of documented continuing education units (CEUs) to qualify for license renewal. Staff education provides rehabilitation therapists with opportunities to obtain CEUs -- many times these take place during work hours and are financed by the facility.
Proper documentation is an important part of rehabilitation services. These records are used for reimbursement for services by insurance carriers and to document patient status with each treatment. In health care facilities, this documentation provides communication between rehab providers and the doctor. Good documentation skills is an important goal in staff education. Courses are provided to review proper coding and billing procedures. In addition, staff education includes peer reviews of charts -- therapists review co-worker's documentation for content and completeness.
Rehabilitation therapists have varying levels of clinical experience and expertise. Staff education and training meetings give therapists time to learn new skills and improve existing skills. Evaluation techniques are reviewed and treatment techniques are practiced. These meetings allow therapists to discuss difficult patients and share ideas for treatment as well.
Another goal for rehabilitation staff training is to improve communication between the therapists and the doctors. Physicians can be brought in as guest speakers for staff education sessions to allow the doctor to meet the therapists that treat his patients. Physicians also present lectures on specific surgical procedures to expand the therapist's understanding of the purpose of the rehabilitation process that follows. Staff training with the physician also provides an opportunity for the therapist to ask questions in an informal setting.