Meaningful Con Ed that Doesn’t Break the Bank

One of the things we often hear at the MTAM is how expensive and time-consuming professional development (PD) can be. We think there are some misconceptions on what constitutes quality PD, what it costs, and where and how you can access it. This article will help get you up to date and dispel some of the myths around PD and make sure you’re getting PD credits for the work you’re already doing.

Skeleton Seemore Bones wearing a green t-shirt, tie-dye bandana and reflective sunglasses. Seemore is standing beside a bookcase in the MTAM Resource library. Reading articles, journals or books, listening to relevant podcasts or watching videos can be written up in a review and submitted for credits. You may already be doing this when you come across a new condition or an injury you don’t have experience with. To help you find resources MTAM has a free lending library that you can access, or there are many open-source journals. The Massage Therapy Foundation also has a lot of great resources for RMTs.

Maybe you get together with colleagues to review anatomy, assessment or treatment techniques. This is a great way to refresh your skills, learn new ones and get some PD credits. A study group doesn’t have to be all RMTs, it can be sharing information and knowledge with other health care practitioners. By filling out a quick declaration form you can get PD credits for study groups.

An RMT with long blond braided hair, wearing a blue scrub top, is giving a massage treatment to a person's shoulders and neck. The person is lying prone on a massage table.

Mentoring a student or another therapist also qualifies as PD. If you’ve taken on a practicum student, helped a colleague learn a new treatment, skill, or assisted them with business practices you can receive PD credits. Creating learning materials or explaining processes to others is a great way to review and refresh your own knowledge. The mentee also receives PD credits for learning new skills. If you already provide education at a more formal level, for example teaching or supervising at a massage therapy college or teaching a continuing education course or workshop you can receive credits for this type of teaching as well.

A self-assessment questionnaire sitting on a table. A black pen is placed on top of the survey. If you’re unsure where to start with your PD we recommend that you take the self-assessment survey (it’s free!). This survey will help you set your goals for the next year and help direct you in your PD. Everyone’s PD goals are unique and should be tailored to your needs.

The amount of PD credits for each of these activities varies and requires you to send in a declaration form. You can access declaration forms here. If you’d like more information on starting one of these activities, please contact the Education and Practice Coordinator.