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Website for members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and all Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists interested in treatment to the upper extremity. Contains links to other hand sites
  

AHTA Mentors

The AHTA supports mentoring relationships as part of its membership process. Mentoring helps to build a stronger association and ensures sharing of knowledge and skills.

AHTA Mentors

QLD:
Sandra Hookins Sandra@extendrehab.com.au Phone:(07) 3834 7060


VIC:
Sue Doman sue@doman.com.au Phone: (03) 9016 4263

WA:
Helen Fitzgerald hfitzgerald@inhand.net.au Phone: 0412 288 593
Sally Flavel sallyf@iinet.net.au Phone: (08) 9285 2815 or 0403 322 584

SA:
Suzanne Caragiannis suzanne_caragianis@bigpond.com Phone: (08) 8277 9667

NSW:
Cathy Merry cathymmerry@hotmail.com Phone: (02) 46 26 1333
Naomi White naomiw@sapphirephysio.com.au Phone: (02) 64 920 023

REGIONAL AREAS:
Barbara Watson parvenue@gil.com.au or team@handsontherapy.com.au  Phone: (07) 3843 6605


 

Mentoring as related to membership applications

As part of the process of applying for full or associate membership all applicants are required to ‘Be recommended by a Member of the AHTA, member of AHSS or an AHTA Mentor’ (AHTA By-Laws). This involves the full member writing a brief letter of recommendation to the AHTA for the applicant.

Applying for Associate Membership:

When applying for associate membership, the role of the full member who recommends a therapist for associate membership is to write a brief letter supporting the therapists' application to join the AHTA as an associate member.

How do you identify a full member to write your letter of recommendation? It could be:
• A full member that you work with or have worked with in the past
• A full member that you know through your State Interest Group Meetings
• An AHTA State Mentor

If the mentor does not know the applicant (i.e. A state mentor providing a letter of recommendation for a rural therapist), then the mentor may call or email the therapist to gain an understanding of their current experience and goals in becoming an associate member. This enables the mentor to provide advice and support on how the applicant can continue to develop their interest and skills as a hand therapist.

Applying for Full Membership :

When upgrading from associate to full member the applicant must have both a letter of recommendation from a full member and also have their application approved by their State Mentor.

The role of the full member who recommends an associate for upgrade to full membership is to:
• Support your application
• Provide a character reference
 

Some associates do not have access to full members where they work or in their regional areas. In these circumstances the AHTA state mentors are available to support and mentor associates in their application for full membership, as well as approve their application.

State Mentor Approval:

All applicants applying for full membership are required to contact the AHTA State Mentor prior to lodging their application. Contact must be established 3-6 months prior to submitting the application to ensure adequate time frames for professional dialogue between the therapist and mentor.

The purpose of this is to:
• Help you locate a mentor if you do not already have one
• Have your application reviewed to ensure it is complete and accurate before submitting
• Once your mentor has signed the ‘AHTA Mentor approval of application’ form, your application should then be submitted with your full membership documentation and PD Evidence to the membership secretary. By doing this the state mentor acts as the first of 3 reviewers on the application review panel.

Our Mentors are willing to assist with all AHTA Membership Applications, however if you for any reason do not want to approach your own states mentor for application support or approval you are welcome to contact any of the other State Mentors for assistance.