Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have moved from overseas and would like to join the AHTA. Can my past membership to another country’s Hand Therapy Association assist in my application?

A. Yes - Conferred Membership means that Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, working in Australia , who are members of Hand Therapy associations in countries, which are IFSHT members, may be accepted as Members of the AHTA upon:

 (a)  Provision of a reference and statement of recommendation from a Member of the AHTA, Member of AHSS, or AHTA Mentor. 

(b)  Proof of current membership to an IFSHT organisation or of having passed a procedure for membership, in their own country, of equal rigor to Australian requirements.

Details of conferred membership can be found on the website in the by-laws. 

AHTA also recognises current CHT. Current certification meets the CPD criteria for receiving full membership to the association, however, full membership requires a years associate membership to the Association. "Conferred membership", as discussed above means you would be able to waive this years associate membership.

Q. If I have completed post-graduate studies that are not listed on the PD Guidelines on the website how can I use these for credit points when applying for full membership?

Your application should include the university hours in the Formal Courses Section ie.  Postgraduate university studies that specifically address the theory, evaluation and treatment of the  UE. (Refer to Post Graduate Education Table on page 7 of the application guidelines).

The membership secretaries update this table so let them know if you have done a formal course not listed so that they can endeavour to update the guidelines and make them more relevant for all members.

 Hours cannot be claimed for units such as evaluation and research unless projects specific to UE are stated. A maximum of 10 points may be awarded for each project, essay, poster.

Use the Post Graduate Education Table as a guide to what is fair for you to claim. Acceptable proof for each of these is outlined in the acceptable proof section found on the website Post Graduation Table. These credit points/hours would then be approved by the membership secretary on provision of evidence / a course outline stating UL content.
 

Q. I have taken maternity leave from work and am finding it difficult to complete the requirements for my CPA Log to maintain full membership. What are my options?

 A.  CPA Log requirements:

 (d)  Members are required to comply with the Continuing Membership Obligations and shall achieve the minimum following criteria within two years from the commencement of their obligation period:

(i)   400 hours of upper extremity hand therapy work experience (see Appendix 1 - Continuing Professional Activities (CPA) Scoring Guidelines – Category 1) (ii)     Continuing Professional Activities (CPA): a total of 18 credits per 2-year obligation period, comprising:

-   12 credits from ongoing educational activities (see Appendix 1 - Continuing Professional Activities Scoring Guidelines – Category 2)

-   6 credits from contributions to the profession (see Appendix 1 - Continuing Professional Activities Scoring Guidelines – Category 3)

Option 1: When CPA hours have been achieved, but not clinical hours. You can request Special Circumstances - Maternity Leave. An allowance for clinical hours with an extension of up to 1 year per child with written proof of leave may be granted on request.

Option 2: If the CPA hours have also not been obtained you can temporarily downgrade your membership. An Associate who has previously been a Member, prior to downgrading, may then be reinstated as a Member on presentation of 18 credit points and 400 clinical hours within a two year period so long as this application to reinstate occurs within 4 years from the date of downgrading.