Who are the members of
the Ethics Committee?
The WPTA Chapter Ethics Committee
(CEC) consists of three WPTA members elected by
the membership to process complaints against members
of the chapter and also to stimulate awareness of
ethical issues within the Chapter. Current members
of the CEC are Chair - David Reichenberger,
PT, and Rita Newton.
How do I register a complaint?
A complaint that a member has
been in violation of the Code of Ethics or Standards
of Practice is made in writing to the Chapter President.
The President reviews the complaint to determine
if the complaint contains a clear and concise statement
of facts that constitute the alleged unethical conduct.
A frivolous complaint is one that does not clearly
involve ethical allegations. Upon receipt of the
complaint, a copy is forwarded to the APTA Judicial
Committee and assigned a new case number. IF the
complaint indicates a crime that is classified as
a felony or any crime that is punishable by imprisonment
for six months or more, the member is suspended
from APTA membership until the next meeting of the
Judicial Committee, at which time a review will
take place. The Chapter President refers the bona
fide complaint to the CEC who appoints an investigator
to perform a comprehensive review of the circumstances.
The reviewer prepares a file and submits the file
to the CEC. The CEC then determines to a. dismiss
the complaint, or b. notify the respondent of his/her
right to a hearing. The respondent has the right
to appear before the hearing in person to present
and examine witnesses and evidence. The conclusions
and recommendations of the CEC are forwarded to
the APTA Judicial Committee.
What may the CEC recommend to the APTA Judicial
Committee?
The CEC may recommend dismissal
of the complaint or disciplinary action in the form
of a reprimand, probation, suspension or expulsion.
What then?
The respondent may request a
hearing or submission of written testimony at the
next meeting of the APTA Judicial Committee. The
final decision of the Judicial Committee may be
to approve the recommendation of the CEC, modify
the recommendation of the CEC or remand to the CEC
with appropriate directives.
Appeals may be made by written request by the respondent
to the APTA Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
reviews the appeal at the next regularly scheduled
meeting. The respondent can submit written testimony
or appear to present oral testimony.
If you have any questions or
concerns relating to the Code of Ethics or Standards
of Practice, please contact one of the WPTA CEC
members or contact president@wpta.org.
The mission
statement of the State of Wisconsin, Department
of Regulation & Licensing is to provide professional,
quality services to members of occupations and professions
regulated by the state in order to safeguard consumer
health, safety and well-being.
If
you feel a physical therapy practitioner is in violation
of the Wisconsin State Practice Act, please contact
the
Department
of Regulation & Licensing
www.drl.state.wi.us
or http://drl.wi.gov/index.htm
1400 E. Washington Ave., Room 173
Madison, WI 53703
1-608-266-2112
