“What is needed is a competency for an understanding for the complexity of cancer.”
With so many patients living with cancer today, it’s important to know how to treat them, before treatment, during treatment, & well after they conclude treatment – & it isn’t just enough to know what the buzz words of oncology are. Kristin Carroll, PT, of Survivorship Solutions, LLC is our special guest today, discussing the creation of competency standards for OncoPTs & why they are critical for our patients.
Kristin’s Bio
Kristin received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University. She has been in clinical care and leadership roles within the Boston and Hartford healthcare systems for over 28 years. She has spent the last 10 years focused on oncology rehabilitation with continued coursework in lymphedema, oncology rehabilitation specialty courses through Julia Osborne and the American Physical Therapy Association and earned certificates in Chemotherapy/ Biotherapy Agents and Radiation Therapy from the Oncology Nursing Society.
Over the past 5 years, Kristin’s path has focused on advising national cancer centers and hospitals on implementation of cancer rehabilitation programs. In 2016, Kristin, along with co-founder, Jillian Schmitt, MSPT, founded Survivorship Solutions, LLC. Their company collaborates with national and global experts in cancer survivorship and rehabilitation to grow team competencies in oncology knowledge and evidence-based care. Their company standardizes cancer rehabilitation programs and services within cancer care to ensures a seamless and consistent experience for each person diagnosed with cancer to maximize function and quality of life.
The ability to negotiate the multifaceted industry of cancer survivorship through program development, planning and growth; data collection, benchmarking and analysis; accreditation standards adherence and best practices while showcasing revenue opportunities and reducing overall healthcare costs, has made her a leader in value-based cancer rehabilitation consultancy.
Kristin has been a mentor, clinical coordinator, and educator at both the system and collegiate level. She continues her educational journey by educating interdisciplinary cancer rehabilitation teams through seminars within Survivorship Solutions’ Virtual Learning Academy, contributing to guest podcasts on Breast Friends Cancer Support Radio, contributing to Alene Nitzky’s book “Navigating the C: A Nurse Charts the Course for Cancer Survivorship Care”, and as an invited speaker at the International Breast Cancer and Wellness Summit 2018 and 2019.
Actively involved in the oncology community, Kristin is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); Oncology Section and Palliative Care and Hospice Special Interest Group.
2:35 What does survivorship entail?
5:28 What is Survivorship Solutions?
9:20 Why is it so important to have competency standards for OncoPTs?
14:13 What resources are available to become a competent OncoPT?
26:52 Kristin’s words of wisdom for OncoPTs
“If you want to be competent, you stay on that bus. If you’re not ready to invest in our profession, get off the bus.”
Want to learn more about Survivorship Solutions? Click here.