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Today’s Guest
Danielle Mains
“We all go through the same processes and the same fears, so it’s just being understanding and realizing that. Kind of cliché, right? We all put our pants on the same way.”
Danielle Mains is a PT that graduated in 2007 from the Medical University of South Carolina. After graduating, she moved back to Kentucky, where she lives with her husband and four children. She works as the Director of Clinical Education for Numotion, a complex rehab company.
In this episode, Danielle tells us about her journey from being a physical therapist, working as an independent assisting living to becoming an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and finally Director of Clinical Education.
She tells us that what made her love ATP was the fact that she was able to provide healthcare to families and kids because the role of a TP and an ATP in the world of complex rehab is providing custom manual and powered wheelchairs, pediatric equipment and other types of equipment for their therapies.
In our conversation, we discussed the role of Numotion as an equipment supplier, acting as an intermediary between manufacturers and clients, and the Medicare guidelines for providing custom complex rehab technology.
Finally, in this episode, Danielle tells us about the importance of continuing education for therapists and the resources available through Numotion and the Numotion Academy of Mine. In this episode, you’ll see that there are many different opportunities that we had no idea existed but continue to broaden.
Episode Highlights
What both an Assistive Technology Professional and Specialty Account Manager are and how to become one
Transferable PT skills used as a sales rep and product manager
Who would be best at these roles
Danielle Mains’s Transition:
Bio:
Danielle Mains is a 2007 graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC where she received a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences- Physical Therapy degree. As a practicing therapist, Danielle spent 7 years working with the Pediatric and Geriatric populations with an emphasis on pediatric mobility. In 2014, Danielle decided to expand her reach with complex rehab and joined Numotion as an RTS and then ATP. Throughout the years, she has also had experience on the manufacturer side as a rehab sales specialist and served on a leadership team as product manager for a national CRT company. Her passion for educating others about CRT came full circle in February of 2020 when Danielle joined the Clinical Education team at Numotion. She is currently serving as the Director of Clinical Education for Numotion. Danielle resides in Morehead, KY with her husband, Matt and four children, Hayden (17), Belle (14), Noah (9) and Kate (4).
What caused you to make this alternative career shift?
I recall the day that I found out it was an option for me, “just a therapist” to become an ATP. I was standing on the front porch of a little girls home where we (the ATP and myself) had just delivered some equipment that meant safety, security, and just a moment of normalcy in their day. Once I found out that I could play a vital role in the world of Complex Rehab I was all in.
What is your desired transformation(s) from this alternative journey?
For me, I have always loved to teach others what I know. I also like to set goals, reach those goals and then determine “what’s next?” Currently, I am in my “dream role” as cliché as that sounds, I have the ability to share my knowledge, work with the industry leaders in CRT and put together amazing education programs to educate other clinician’s, ATPs, and customers.
What has been your biggest struggle with this alternative career and life path?
The biggest struggle I have had, and continue to have (almost daily), is the internal feeling or questioning that I could be doing more if I were practicing as a therapist or an ATP in the field.
What was at stake if you didn’t take the risk of pursuing this alternative career?
My mental health…. for sure! I’m not saying that there aren’t stressors as an ATP/Supplier or Clinical Educator but the first time that my manager at Numotion asked me “What can we do to support you? What do YOU need?” my mind was blown. I was so used to “give me more” or working for myself and trying to figure out how I was getting paid that it really stuck with me. I strive to make sure that all of the ATP’s and Clinicians that I work with feel that same way. It is an awesome feeling to know that you are valued and supported!
Resources
Numotion Academy of Mine – for CEUs. Use check out code rehab rebels to support Rehab Rebels.
National Student Exchange Program
Non-clinical Networking for Rehab Professionals facebook group
Meredith has years of experience serving clients to land Non-Clinical Careers. She has put everything she knows into her flagship course to guide you to landing your Non-Clinical Career.
Features of the course:
- Life, career, and values assessments
- Overview of 25 non-clinical career paths and how to get there
- Worksheets, templates, and reference materials
- Over 1700 students have enrolled
- Lifetime access to the course content, non-clinical student group, and more
Rehab Rebels receive 20% off this flagship course.
Episode interviewing Meredith coming soon 🙂
Books:
Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice
Seating and Wheeled Mobility A Clinical Resource Guide
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