Join us for this live, in person learning session on Friday, Oct. 9, from 1:00 - 5:00 pm and Saturday, Oct. 10, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (ET) at APTA Centennial Center in Alexandria, VA.

To enhance this dynamic learning experience, we’ve set up a discussion board for all participants. Since this session includes live interaction, you can use the board to ask questions, exchange ideas, and let the speaker(s) know which topics matter most to you. Feel free to post comments or questions whenever they arise.

Key features:

• Format: Live, Synchronous, interactive format
• Cost:
• $599 PT/PTA members
• $799 Non-members
• Earn CEU: 1.0 (10 contact hours)

Course Description: 

Emergency departments are one of the most complex and high-stakes environments in healthcare, where clinical decisions must be made rapidly with limited information and resources. While physical therapy has established a presence in this setting, current models of care remain highly variable, often underutilized, and inconsistently integrated into emergency workflows.

This session will challenge the status quo and redefine what physical therapy should look like in the emergency department. Moving beyond traditional consult-based and mobility-focused models, participants will explore how physical therapists can function as essential contributors to clinical decision-making, patient flow, and safe disposition planning.

Through a combination of historical context, current state analysis, and forward-looking frameworks, this session will introduce a systems-based approach to practicing at the top of scope. Attendees will learn how to optimize when, where, and why physical therapy is delivered in the emergency department, aligning care with patient needs and operational priorities.

Using real-world cases and implementation strategies, this master class will equip clinicians and leaders with the tools to move from presence to impact—shifting physical therapy from a supportive service to a critical component of emergency care delivery.

Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the current state of physical therapy practice in the emergency department and identify gaps limiting top-of-scope care
2. Differentiate between traditional consult-based models and optimized, integrated approaches to emergency department physical therapy
3. Apply a systems-based framework to determine the right patient, right time, and right setting for physical therapy intervention
4. Integrate physical therapy into emergency department workflows to support clinical decision-making, patient flow, and safe disposition
5. Develop strategies to advance physical therapy practice toward a redefined standard aligned with patient and system-level outcomes

I understand that this onsite event may involve physical, technical, or hands‑on activities that carry inherent risks, and I voluntarily assume all risks of injury, property damage, or other loss. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release and hold harmless the event host, instructors, organizers, facility owners, and their employees, agents, and representatives from any liability arising from my participation. I agree to follow all instructions and safety guidelines and accept responsibility for my own actions. I confirm that I am physically and mentally able to participate and will disclose any condition that may affect my safety. In an emergency, I authorize the host to seek medical assistance on my behalf and understand I am responsible for related costs. By participating, I confirm that I have read, understand, and agree to this waiver and release of liability.

Photographic Disclaimer - I understand that I may be photographed and/or audio/video recorded during an APTA event. By registering for an APTA event, I hereby grant APTA the irrevocable right, permission, and license to take photos and/or audio/video record me at this event and publish, reproduce, and otherwise use the photos and audio/video recordings in all forms and media for educational, trade, web, advertising, and all other lawful purposes without compensation. I release APTA from all forms of claims and liability related to my photo and audio/video recording. I agree that the photos and audio/video recordings shall be the sole property of APTA, and I grant, assign, and transfer to APTA all necessary rights to that effect.