OCTOBER 2021
PTSMC TRADITIONS... In last October’s PULSE, I wrote about how many of our favorite PTSMC Traditions take place in the final months of the year. Traditions are part of what drives an organization’s culture and community, and since PTSMC has been fortunate to have added many new teammates this year, I wanted to explain and also remind everyone of these great initiatives. While the days may be getting shorter and colder, we have much to look forward to as we head towards the finish line of 2021... The Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest Perhaps PTSMC’s most spirited inter-office competition, this year’s famed Pumpkin Decorating Contest will host 30 entrants! As in years past, each office will have the opportunity to enter ONE decorated pumpkin in the contest. The winning pumpkin will be the entry that receives the most votes in our survey and engagements on PTSMC’s Facebook page (likes, comments, shares, etc.). Every year I’m more and more impressed by the efforts and energy our teams put into their pumpkins, both because it shows off our employees’ creativity and, in many cases, the final result is the product of a true team effort. I can’t wait to see what kind of fun, crazy ideas you all come up with this year. See all the details on pg 6. Have fun everyone! PTMSC’s Annual Food Drive Over the years, through our annual food drive, the generosity of our people and patients has provided thousands of meals to those in need. As with last year, I feel that this campaign holds a special significance in 2021, as many individuals and families – especially those in underserved communities – are still reeling from the personal and economic impact of the pandemic. Staff and patients who are fortunate enough to be able to share with others are asked to contribute whatever they can. While it’s sometimes hard to believe that hunger and food insecurity is present in every community we serve, we can do our part to make a positive impact in our communities. Info about this year’s Food Drive can also be found on pg 6.
#GetMoving While our #getmoving initiative happens various times of the year, the inaugural #getmoving was the fall of 2015 so it is worth a shout out. #Getmoving is a challenge where participants get active to reach goals with the support of other employees along the way. This October’s challenge is the first Team Challenge. I can’t wait to see how this competitive layer drives challengers even more to get active. The details and sign up information are on pg 8. The Annual Fall Management Meeting PTSMC’s leadership typically has a two-day meeting every fall, during which we plan ahead for the next year and spend some quality time exchanging ideas. This year we have changed the format from a two-day meeting to a single day. Part of the reason for this change was in recognition of the tremendous amount of time and effort everyone has put forth over the last year to get PTSMC through “COVID times.” I cherish the time spent with this team; however, I felt a little less meeting time might facilitate some more “work-life balance.” This year we are also changing focus from the traditional meeting format to one of growth and learning. We are bringing in external consultant Amy Lafko (who is also a PT), owner of Cairn Consulting Solutions. Amy’s work is inspired by her obsession with showing leaders how to grow their people to grow their business. Amy was actually scheduled to work with our leadership team in March of 2020. I am excited to finally bring her to PTSMC and share her expertise. The past 18 months have brought a myriad of unique challenges to our leadership team, and staff. The open communication and collaboration that happens across all levels of PTSMC continues to help us forge ahead and see clear to the “other side.” I am hopeful that the 2021 Fall Management meeting will bring forward excitement about the opportunities and possibilities that lay ahead in 2022 and beyond. Traditions of friendly competition, helping the communities we serve, supporting each other in getting healthier, and collaboration and learning help make PTSMC special. Thanks, Alan
IT’s official!
ADP Workforce Now is PTSMC’s Employee Portal!
Patient Trends New Patients per Month
If you have not viewed the Employee Self Service Training video click here. Password: PTSMCadp123 Learn how to • Navigate the portal • Change your address, emergency contact and tax withholdings • Complete your timesheet • Request time off • Download and use the mobile app
Visits per Month
Visit the portal now, and bookmark this link for sign in: https://workforcenow.adp.com Learn more about ADP in the HR Buzz!
Blue = Actual | Orange = Budgeted
IN THIS ISSUE
Clinician’s Corner by Natalie Peterson and Amanda Orsillo, Plainville Physical Therapist & Student Getting to the Core of Pelvic Floor PTSMC Launches Anonymous Compliance Reporting HR Buzz Submit BRAGs ADP Reminders Wellness Program #GetMoving Team Challenge Financial Wellness Webinar #2 - Recording! Top Workplace Results and Feedback!
StriveHub Fab 5 “My therapist, Khamille (Turnage), is great--patient, knowledgable, and skilled. She also explains things very clearly. The office staff is similarly patient with my scheduling and re-scheduling issues. They are always friendly and humane and never make me feel like I am wasting their time.” - New Haven “The attention and care I am given by Nick (Scott) is amazing. He cares about my recovery and well being, which means a great deal to me. Nick is engaging, talented and a true benefit to the PTSMC center. I am sure I am not the only patient who feels this way. Erin (Carlson) is also a wonderful engaging and great person to work with. I hope you can recognize them both in some way.” - Westbrook “PTSMC New London have been and continue to be very flexible when finding appointments that fit my schedule. I also love the fact that everyone is so personable and attentive to their patient's needs. I've been to other PT facilities that would give me exercises to do, then walk away to work with a different patient... I ended up wasting 30 minutes doing the exercises incorrectly. I would highly recommend PTSMC of New London!” - New London “Nick (Almonte) is really personable and super welcoming to everyone. You can tell he’s excited about his job and always shares the knowledge behind his treatment techniques.” - Shelton “The staff here are top notch. Brilliant in their field and understanding their patients. Every single employee here are all great. I’d recommend everyone to go here.” - Plainville
CLINICIAN’S CORNER GETTING TO THE CORE OF THE PELVIC FLOOR
By Natalie Peterson, ATC, PT, DPT Plainville Physical Therapist & Amanda Orsillo, SPT Plainville Student I remember hearing stories from women in my family who had children discussing how they would often leak urine when exercising, laughing, coughing, sneezing, and on the way to the bathroom. I grew up thinking that this misconception was normal post-partum. It wasn’t until a physical therapist that specialized in the pelvic floor gave a lecture in one of my classes that I learned the following statements were false: leaking urine after having a baby is inevitable and cannot be treated, urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging, and medication and surgery are the only successful treatments for incontinence. Postpartum incontinence affects around seven million new American mothers every year, and even low-stress deliveries and Cesarean sections can lead to incontinence in about fifty percent of women.1,2 In Europe, it is customary for women to be referred to a physical therapist if they report any bowel or bladder issues at their six-week post-partum check-up, which isn’t always the case here in the United States. Furthermore, urinary incontinence affects both men and women, with women being more commonly affected. In fact, 1 in 4 women over the age of 18 experience episodes of leaking urine involuntarily.3 About 25 million adult Americans experience transient or chronic urinary incontinence.3,4 The prevalence increases with age at 30-40% of middle aged women and 30-50% of elderly women reporting urinary incontinence.3,4 So, how can we as healthcare professionals intervene and assist with referring our patients with urinary incontinence to the correct provider? There are four types of pelvic floor dysfunction: weak or underactive, tight or overactive, uncoordinated or dyssynergistic, and non-functioning. For this article’s purpose, the focus will be on underactive pelvic floor dysfunction, specifically urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Some causes of urinary incontinence include pregnancy and childbirth; urinary tract infection; constipation; side effects of medication; dementia; neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral vascular accident; mobility issues; or prostate dysfunction such as prostatitis, prostate cancer, or prostatectomy. There are three types of urinary incontinence: urge, stress, and mixed. Urge incontinence is the typical “key in door syndrome” in which there is a large volume urine loss. Patients may report that they often can’t make it to the bathroom in time thus causing some behavior changes such as fear of leaking, “just-in-casing” or “JIC-ing” for short, and limiting fluid intake. Stress incontinence is an involuntary loss of urine with physical exertion such as leaking during exercise, bending, changing positions, laughing, sneezing, or coughing. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles, ligaments, and fascia that hold organs in correction positions become weakened. Between 40-50% of women are affected, with 10-20% being symptomatic.4 These patients may report that their symptoms are worse as the day progresses, an aching discomfort in pelvic region, and a dull backache which are common reports that we hear in many initial evaluations. Patients with POP may also note that they feel something when they wipe or that they feel like they are sitting on a golf ball. First is taking a closer look at which muscles we see strength or length deficits in daily in the outpatient setting. The obturator internus and piriformis are among the many muscles of the pelvic cavity and among many hip external rotators that can be problematic in our patients. Much like the other muscles we treat on a daily basis, a healthy pelvic floor must have an active range of motion, including being able to symmetrically contract, relax, and bulge. A healthy pelvic floor also has the ability to have an element of coordinated control with functional tasks:
acting as an anticipator that stabilizes the core by pre-firing with the transverse abdominis and also as a regulator that decides when to open the urethra and the anus. Providing brief education on bladder norms and healthy bladder behaviors such as avoiding “just-in-casing” or JIC-ing. It is normal to go to the bathroom every 3-4 hours or 6-8 times per day in 24 hours. A normal stream is 8-10 seconds. It is uncommon to void during the nighttime if younger than 65 years of age and normal to void 1-2 times per night if older or pregnant. The urge to empty first occurs when our bladder is at 50% capacity, in which stretch receptors in the bladder signal the brain, causing the external sphincter of the pelvic floor muscles to remain contracted. The bladder continues to fill with urine until the point where the urge to void is strong. “Just-in-casing” is voiding the bladder when the urge is not strong and a person voids just in case they have to go later on when they may not have the opportunity to, such as a long car ride or a meeting at work. This ultimately resets the baselines in the bladder for 50% and 100% full, leading to urge incontinence and going to the bathroom more frequently. So, what can we teach and encourage our patients with urinary incontinence to do after referring them to a pelvic floor physical therapy specialist? We can encourage our patients to keep a bladder diary, making a voiding schedule, teach them urge deference techniques such as “five quick flicks,” not “JIC-ing,” providing bladder health education on hydration and bladder irritants, and teaching them to perform kegels during activities that cause urinary incontinence such as performing a kegel during a sneeze. Like other scopes of physical therapy, we can utilize interprofessional assistance to create the best possible plan of care for our patients. Pelvic floor physical therapy may be part of a comprehensive treatment plan involving primary care physicians, gynecologists/urologists, sex therapists, and mental health professionals. As musculoskeletal experts of the healthcare community, we restore function and positively impact quality of life. The pelvic floor should hold as much importance to our patients as any other muscular or neurological impairments they may experience. As health care professionals, educating our patients and spreading more awareness of the field of pelvic physical therapy and what we can do for these types of conditions is vital, and can help to improve overall well-being. Before our patients accept the idea that their pelvic impairments are “unfixable” or “unimportant,” we can help to normalize and familiarize people with the extensive and effective interventions pelvic physical therapists can utilize to improve the quality of life of many. References:
1. Aoki Y, Brown HW, Brubaker L, Cornu JN, Daly JO, Cartwright R. Urinary incontinence in women. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 July 6;3:17042. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.42 2. Cacciatore A, Giordano R, Romano M, La Rosa B, Fonti I. Putative protective effects of cesarean section on pelvic floor disorders. J Prenat Med. 2010 Jan-Mar;4(1):1-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263935/. Accessed 09/22/2021. 3. Minassian VA, Devore E, Hagan K, Grodstein F. Severity of urinary incontinence and effect on quality of life in women by incontinence type. Obstet Gynecol. 2013 May/121(5):1083-1090. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31828ca761 4. Hu JS, Pierre EF. Urinary incontinence in women: evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 15;100(6):339-348. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0915/p339.html. Accessed 09/22/2021.
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE Upcoming Courses INTERNAL COURSES
EXTERNAL COURSE
Vestibular
Myopain TDN-2
December 4 8:30 am - 2:15 pm PT for Life Southbury Taught by Rick Purdy DOCS Requirement
Concussion: A Framework To Guide Evaluation & Treatment October 23-24 PTSMC Orange Taught by Rick Purdy Not a DOCS course
Email Mallory Mason at coned@ptsmc.com for all sign ups or questions.
November 5-7 QU North Haven Campus *Myopain TDN-1 prerequisite reqiured Concussion: A Framework Guide to Evaluation & Treatment will focus on how to better assess, treat and manage concussion patients, from New Haven Physical Therapist Rick Purdy, PT, CMTPT. Rick specializes in the knowledge and skills to treat concussion and vestibular patients. Participants of this course will create models of assessment and treatment for concussion patients and utilize case studies and different patient presentations in order to more effectively manage our concussion patients. This course is intended for clinicians that have taken previous continuing education for concussions, experience working with patients with concussions and/or taken a previous Internal DOCS Vestibular course.
2021 Continuing education opportunities list https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/mcbFLYwFkg/2021_Clinical_Excellence_List_of_Courses.xlsx_
Use the link above for a list of PTSMC Internal, PTSMC Sponsored, and External course opportunities. Please reach out to Mallory Mason via coned@ptsmc.com if you have any questions.
PTSMC Launches Anonymous Reporting for Compliance Issues & Concerns This trusted and user-friendly reporting service is completely anonymous. We ensured this technology cannot track the form user’s IP address, email, or name during submission of information. Here is the link to the form, feel free to check it out. https://ptsmc.com/reporting-compliance The link will be available on the ADP dashboard and on a poster in each office’s common area. Key Characteristics of Anonymous Reporting: · Anonymous Reporting Forum available 24/7 · Once issue is reported, compliance team files an investigation · Compliance Team will investigate the issue As a reminder, if you wish to identify yourself, report a compliance concern or incident, you can do so via phone, email, or postage mail to any of the following member of the PTSMC Compliance Board: Emily Hansen Interim Clinical Compliance Officer & Board Member Melissa Boutagy Clinical Compliance Officer, currently on LOA Mike Durand Board Member Sandra Boccialetti Board Member Sandy Wickman Mason Corporate Compliance Officer Todd Cacopardo Board Member *pictured from left to right
This course is open to the public and is not limited to PTSMC clinicians.
STUDENT PROGRAM UPDATE The Student Program is excited to be collaborating with the DOCS Program to offer info sessions for prospective Clinical Instructors who have completed the mentorship phase of their DOCS Program. Two Go-To meetings will be offered in early October to learn more about the world of being a CI and allow for a Q&A session with PTSMC'S SCCE, Juliann Chacko. Session 1: Friday, October 1, 12:30 - 1:00 Session 2: Tuesday, October 5, 12:30 - 1:00
HUMAN RESOURCES CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES BRAG TIME IS HERE FOR THE NOVEMBER PULSE! Now is the time to BRAG a little about your co-workers and how their PT for Life actions are making a difference in people’s lives. Please take a few moments to “boast” about your workers. Below are suggested areas for Recognition. • Special things they are doing to help the clinic • Special things they are doing to help a patient • Special things they are doing to for another person linked to PTSMC Employees will be recognized in the November PULSE, receive a written recognition and gift card mailed to them. You can choose to have your name stated or remain anonymous in the PULSE and on the actual recognition. To make this process easier and to generate increased participation, a template will be emailed to all PTSMC employees the first week of October. Fill out the template and submit your recognition to sandra.boccialetti@ptsmc.com by Friday, October 22nd. Download the BRAGS template here: https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/62ge6EF0at/Brag_Award_Template.pdf_
IMPORTANT REMINDERS • Effective from September 20, 2021 all timesheet entry is to be completed in ADP. Your timesheet will automatically default to the current pay period. • Paychex timesheet entry has been locked. You can continue to view your dashboard. You will have access to your pay stubs and W2’s until approximately October 30th. If you need to print any information from Paychex you should do so immediately. • ADP will not be able to carry over any future vacation or personal holiday requests made in Paychex. All previously requested time off for September 19th and beyond will need to be re-entered in ADP. This is a formality and your Director will re-approve your request in ADP. You can also enter your time off directly on your timesheet. • HR has cancelled any previously approved time off requests in Paychex in order for the correct balances to be transferred over to ADP. • There will be slight delay in the carryover of employee’s time off balances and the ability to request time off in the ADP system. You will be notified as soon as this is completed.
Physical Therapist Fairfield Groton Lock Street Naugatuck/Watertown New Haven New London Shelton Wallingford Westbrook Wethersfield
Patient Services Coordinator Fairfield Middletown Orange Wallingford Waterbury Westbrook Windsor
Physical Therapy Aide Branford Essex Lock Street Middletown New Haven Southington Wallingford
Administrative Assistant Admin Executive Assistant Admin
Employer Services Specialist Admin
Data Analyst Admin
Check www.PTSMC.com/job-openings for our most up-to-date postings, and feel free to share! Call Jenn or email at Jenn.Detlefsen@ptsmc.com for PT Aide positions. Call Karen or email at karen.havlicek@ptsmc.com if you are interested in another position.
New Hire Referral Bonuses We need your help! Do you know anyone who would be a perfect fit for PTSMC or PT for Life? We’re offering a referral bonus for all positions!
Continue to check your email for weekly ADP updates. If you are not receiving emails please check your junk mail or contact Sandra Boccialetti. Congratulations to the clinics who completed full registration with ADP by the September 10th deadline. Sandra will be reaching out to the clinics to arrange a lunch delivery sometime in October. Admin East Hampton Fairfield Middletown
New Haven Shelton Southington
$500
EMPLOYEE NEWS
NEW EMPLOYEES
Seth Barrett, Wallingford PT Aide
Christina Nadal, Guilford PSC
Colin Ketchel, Branford Physical Therapist
Dan Pagliuca, New Milford Physical Therapist
Susan DeCarli, Wethersfield PSC
Welcome Back!
Lauren Doyle, Wallingford PT Aide
Mary Pacini, Danbury PT Aide
Eric Horne, Simsbury Physical Therapist
Mike Pantera, Westbrook PT Aide
Laila Temraoui, Admin Office Assistant
Dylan Park, New London PT Aide
Grace McKeon, Fairfield PSC
Matthew San Angelo, Southbury PTA
NOT PICTURED:
Jen Rosenberg, Fairfield PSC
Brooke Venkitachalam, Lock Street PT Aide
Tiffany Verni, Orange PT Aide
Amanda Orsillo, Plainville PT Aide
Laura Sweeney, Windsor PT Aide
Kyle Berenson, Windsor PT Aide Lazhel De La Cruz, West Hartford PT Aide Garrett Erff, Westbrook PT Aide Raymond Ezirike, Windsor PT Aide Melissa Herforth, Guilford PT Aide Samantha Knight, Lock Street PT Aide Dylan Murray, Avon PT Aide Kellie O’Donnell, New Haven PT Aide Karolina Ozga, Fairfield PT Aide Tatiana Papuashvili, Fairfield PT Aide Mike Sanon, Newington PT Aide Grace Triquet, Fairfield PT Aide Karen Turco, New Milford PSC
Pumpkin Decorating Contest Fall is already here, and you know what that means... it’s time for The PTSMC Pumpkin Decorating Contest! We know some of you have been planning since last Halloween, but are you ready for the largest competition pool yet? This year, 30 pumpkins will grace the social media stage for employees and patients to vote for their favorite! Here’s what you need to know: A pumpkin will be brought to your clinic by your Partner/Director from the Management Meeting (October 14th). Each clinic will give their best efforts to decorate and create the best pumpkin and put it on display in your clinic. A picture of your clinic’s decorated pumpkin must be submitted by October 27th by emailing or texting it to Emily Fillion. Patients, staff, friends, and family will vote for the best pumpkin between Oct. 28th-29th. The WINNER will be announced November 1st! Votes are placed through a survey, as well as counted through social media engagement. This means, any Like, Love, Comment or Sharing of your clinic’s pumpkin photo on Facebook, will count as a vote. Need some inspiration or a refresher on the competition? A few of the favorites are pictured below, and you can check out all the entries in this Facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=PTSMC&set=a.3512833478763966 Questions can be emailed to Mallory Mason.
Last year’s Winner!
Wallingford
New Milford
Waterbury
Holiday Food Drive
As mentioned in Alan’s article, the Holiday Food Drive is a cherished tradition at PTSMC. Alan began this initiative many years about to give back and serve our local communities in need.
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS Jen Rosenberg Meaghan Brunelle Sandra Balavender Bill DiGiuseppe Becky Passante Alex Gauthier Alex Morton Caley Nigro Shirley Siguenza Jaclyn Skirkanich Pam Subtil Miranda Jasienowski Sara Robinson Nathan Biega Ryan Wills Erin Carlson Cindi Theriault Grace Triquet Fred Havlicek Curtis Henry Ryan McConville Alex Rosenberg Stephanie Santos Caitlyn Ayotte Noah Rattet Alyson Whelan Jaclyn Lomanno Joel Greenwood Meghan Blanusa Melissa Conelli Caty Halpin Caitlynne Dawson Juliana Colonis Justin Delgado Makayla Bigard Andrea Petramale Amy Bellone John Augustine Skylar Vumback Caty Halpin Sam Ostrowsky Sam Donahue Logan Deros Jacob Rooney
2 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 21 21 22 27 28 29 29 30 31 31 20 23 23 25 27 29 29 29 29 30
Fairfield Windsor Admin Guilford Guilford Essex Wallingford Lock St Danbury Westbrook New Haven Groton Middletown Avon Guilford Westbrook Southington Fairfield New Haven Guilford Watertown Lock St Watertown New London Guilford Essex Wallingford Groton Naugatuck Guilford Westbrook Windsor Branford Guilford New Haven Newington West Hartford Guilford Essex Admin & Westbrook Guilford Guilford Watertown Orange
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
These donations come from patients, employees, friends and family- anyone and everyone! In 2020, PTSMC set out to collect at least 2,020 items. We crushed that goal and collected 2,477 items that we donated to our local communities! It seems only fitting that our goal as a company for 2021 is:
2500 donations 2500 donations How can your clinic start preparing? Follow these steps: 1. Designate a Food Drive Leader. 2. If you are the leader, email Mallory Mason and include the following information: a. Name of the local group your clinic will donate to. b. The dates your clinic will collect items. For example, in preparation for Thanksgiving (11/1 - 11/20), or in preparation for the December holidays (11/15 - 12/15) or all the way through New Year’s Day. *Both are important to know for the Marketing Department to create signage. 3. Mallory will be sending flyers specific to each clinic’s collection dates. Post these in the Welcome Center and around the clinic. 4. Once it’s time to start collecting set up a collections box. Lots of clinics like to decorate around their box with the theme of the holiday they are collecting for. Make sure to send Emily pictures!
Melissa Rivera Sarah Barney Samantha Ostrowsky Madyson Fitzner Patrick Andrews
PT Aide PT Aide Physical Therapist PT Aide PT Aide
Danbury East Hampton Guilford Middletown Waterbury
Alyssa Griffo
Physical Therapist
East Hampton
PTSMC Happenings!
Happy Hour #1 was a hit! On September 14th, Wallingford hosted the first PTSMC Happy Hour.
Windsor supported the Town of Windsor Social Services's Hunger Action Month by hosting a collection box for the Weekend Wheels backpack program.
Simsbury stretched runners out at the Farmington Valley YMCA's Granby Road Race. Pictured in the right photo: PSC Betsy Holt (left) and Health Fitness Specialist & PT Aide Trainer Shelby Howe.
A Lock Street patient was so grateful they gifted each employee a BlendJet blender!
SoCIAl Media Sensation Lock Street
Zack Currie, Guilford PT, married his wife Kathryn.
Melissa Boutagy, Clinical Compliance Officer and Guilford PT, welcomed a son, Peter Joseph (PJ) Boutagy.
Emma Belval, Westbrook PSA, married her husband Dennis.
Shoutout to the Lock Street clinic for hosting weekly Spirit Days over the summer and sending the photos to the marketing team. We appreciate your initiative and creativity! Pictured above is their final Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day! To view all of their Spirit Day photos, check out our social media @ptsmc.
Engagement & Wellness Calendar October
#GETMOVING TEAM CHALLENGE In 2015, PTSMC created the #GetMoving Challenge, and since then it has evolved into a fun and motivational space for employees to challenge themselves, share a common goal and interact with others. This time around, we are adding a twist… the first ever TEAM Challenge.
Happy Hour in New London
October 5th, 5:30-7:30 pm
Happy Hour in Newington
October 6th, 5:30-7:30 pm
Happy Hour in Naugatuck
October 7th, 5:30 -7:30 pm
#GetMoving
October 17th - November 27th
Fall/Winter Gear Order
NEW DATES! Oct. 25th - Nov. 5th
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
October 28-29 - Vote!
November Food Drive
Dates vary by clinic Nov-Dec
The #GetMoving Team Challenge runs for 6 weeks: Sunday, October 17th – Saturday, November 27th Individual component: Get active for 30+ minutes for 30 of the 42 days and you will earn a reward. Team component: In addition, each day you #getmoving a point will be earned for your team. Participants will be randomly put into teams on Day 1. The team with the most points at the end of six weeks will win an additional prize!
FINANCIAL Wellness WEBINAR Recording
How to participate: We will be using the Slack app to submit activities and support each other and work together over the six weeks. Each DAY you #GetMoving, post your activity in the group and it will count towards your personal and team’s running total. Posts can include a picture of your activity, you, your watch/activity tracker, your view, your dog, or you can just send a description, no picture required. Other participants will be able to see your post, “like” the post and support you. No one outside of the group will see the messages. The Slack group will also be where you get the latest challenge information, updates, and fun activities. How to sign up: Email Mallory Mason at the PTSMC Wellness Program email- Wellness@ptsmc.com. Signups will run through October 16th. Once the full group is established, teams will then be created and there will be an email sent out with more detailed instructions for participants. Join in on the first ever #GetMoving TEAM Challenge to stay connected, and enjoy a friendly competition with other PTSMC go getters.
Check out the recording of our Financial Wellness Webinar #2 with CT Wealth Management on Family Transitions for tips and an overview on finances, insurance, risk and checking all the boxes when it comes to life’s major stages: Marriages, Parents, Retirees. Recording link: https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/aQeXjWJmBv/2021-0 9-22_19.35_Financial_Wellness_Webinar_%232_ _Family_Transitions.mp4_ Check out the check lists from the presentation using this link to the PowerPoint: https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/Yk3jk8he0x
PTSMC Was Named a Top Workplace for the 11th Straight Year! In the spring of this year, PTSMC used the company Energage to release a survey to all employees. The results are compared to other, similarily sized companies to see how PTSMC ranks statewide. We were proud to come in second in the mid-size division for the Hartford Courant region and fourth in the small-size division for the Hearst region. PTSMC also utilizes the survey to gather anonymous feedback from employees, so that we can identify the strengths and opportunities we have moving forward. We appreciate everyone who completed the survey. Here are some of the results!
See how PTSMC ranks on the following statmenets compared to similar companies.
(Notice PTSMC had no red)
2021 Top Work Place Survey Comments Why would you recommend working at PTSMC? Everyone is so caring Patients are #1 priority
What contributes most to you wanting to stay with PTSMC? Autonomy with schedule Work environment, the people, co-workers PT for Life culture Family feel Teamwork
Share an example of PTSMC operating by strong values. Everyone is on the same page with patient safety, how to run the clinics efficiently and effectively, delivering the best care Even after a year of remote, not once have I felt disconnected from clinics and admin Always looking out for not only the patients, but each other on staff as well!
What tools and resources are most helpful at your job? Our people are the best tools and resources we have, coworkers, manager, administrative staff
Thank you to all employees who completed the survey! We value your feedback and wanted to share the most common themes in the over 500 comments we received.
What makes you hesitate to recommend PTSMC as a place to work? Heavy work schedule forces documentation to be completed outside the workday
The impact we have on patients’ lives
Pay is low compared to US averages
The environment and people are so motivating
What gets in the way of you feeling motivated at work? The PT incentive ~ it means more patients, which means more notes and less quality time with patients
What are your concerns about the direction PTSMC is going?
PT Aides need to be better trained and more PT Aide coverage
Besides pay, what would make you less likely to leave PTSMC? Communication with manager Advancement opportunities and growth
What do you like about the direction PTSMC is going?
Growth too quickly
High quality of care
Concern for too high of patient volume
Continued commitment to the mission for patients
In what ways are we not operating by strong values at PTSMC? Need more diversity and acceptance of cultural differences
What does PTSMC do to show you it cares about preventing burnout? Wellness program
What additional tools and resources would be helpful in your job?
What about PTSMC is motivating to you?
Managers that are understanding and caring I can take time when I need time Promote programs to take care of self, to be healthy & active Schedule is managed with appropriate staffing Staff outings Flexibility
What do you like about meetings at PTSMC? Positive, informative and social Ideas are valued from staff
What do you dislike about meetings at PTSMC? PT Aides attend and most of the meeting doesn’t pertain Haven’t attended a formal meeting at PTSMC- not enough meetings to have an opinion
How do people show you they are committed to the mission at PTSMC?
How does PTSMC make it easy for patients to come first in decisions?
Clinicians are patient centered
Our culture preaches Patients 1st
Everyone steps up when needed to go the extra mile
PT Aides are integral to help make it all work
Decisions at the top by the President are made with the Mission in mind Our clinic staff go out of their way every day to exceed our patient expectations. This is evidenced in our NPS scores >90% over the past 4 years.
Clinicians are accommodating to patients needs, even though it is not best for them
What makes it difficult for patients to come first in decisions at PTSMC? Busy schedules, too many evals
What are some of the ways management shows that patient safety is a top priority? COVID-19 protocols Ensuring proper practices
How does PTSMC help ensure patients receive excellent care? Prioritize the patient ~ ALL staff Training programs: DOCS, mentoring, Customer Experience Coordinator, SIPTA ~ everyone attends culture training
Why do you feel patients receive less than excellent care? Too many patients and not spending adequate time with their PT
What does PTSMC do efficiently and well? Care for patients and employees Communication
Teamwork
What do president, vice presidents, partners & directors do to show they know what’s really going on?
What is happening at PTSMC that president, vice presidents, partners & directors do not understand?
Monthly meetings to connect employees and discuss business operations
PT burnout, documentation requirements outside of scheduled time
Monthly President communication
PTs as revenue generators are under paid
Ask for feedback
How are different points of view encouraged at PTSMC? Leaders are honest and open in communication Opinions and ideas are encouraged and considered We accept people of all walks of life and treat all patients equally
How are new ideas encouraged at PTSMC? Surveys, meetings, asking for them
What does PTSMC do inefficiently or poorly? Need more PT Aide staff PTSMC continued education lack challenge, lack of company community for wanting to be more educated in specific topics
What do you most value being well informed about at PTSMC? The PULSE Employees are informed about policy, insurances, pandemic Progress and director of PTSMC
What gets in the way of new ideas at PTSMC? Depends on the director, some are more open than others Productivity recommendations, clinic business, documentation burden
The culture PSC calls are great No surprises- transparency has improved and would like that to continue
What would you like to be more informed about at PTSMC? Company happenings ~ Timely communication about general goings on, growth plan
What do you find most meaningful about working at PTSMC? Improving the quality of people’s lives Acknowledgement of hard work and ability to grow within the company
What’s getting in the way of your job feeling more meaningful? Paperwork and stress of workload
Relationships with coworkers and patients
What makes you feel appreciated at PTSMC? Coworkers thanking me Positive feedback and appreciation from manager, coworkers and patients
What gets in the way of you feeling genuinely appreciated at PTSMC? Need to request time off too far in advance
What gets in the way of you using your full potential at PTSMC? How does PTSMC empower you to use your full potential? Education dollars, opportunities and support to learn every day PTSMC gives tools to be successful
What aspects of your benefits package do you find most valuable?
Pay
401(k)
Growing company with the same Administrative sized staff
Time off
How does PTSMC help you balance work and life? Accommodating with schedule Acknowledges out of work commitments and helps to balance
Continued Education
What improvements to work/life flexibility would you value most? Pay for documentation time – every PT takes it home
Flexible
What makes this job better than expected? Coworkers, family feel Opportunity Caring environment
How has this job not met your expectations? Pay is low, not competitive to other companies Overbooking schedules
Too many evals, too many patients at a time, need to get documentation done Unable to deliver quality care, just surviving Insurances
What change in your benefits package would be most valuable to you? Less expensive healthcare cost and lower deductibles
I love my job because of... (60 employees commented) Main Themes: My coworkers The difference we make in patients’ lives The family feel The earning environment My LOVE for what I do Feeling supported Our teamwork