Author: Janet Courtney

What Platform and EMR are used at Lighthouse Therapy?

What is the platform and EMR used at LHT?

There are many options when it comes to online platforms for teletherapy sessions and EMRs. Luckily, we’ve spent time testing what platforms work best for our therapists and are constantly trying to adapt and improve the systems we use. Here are the platforms and EMRs we currently use for sessions and medical records at Lighthouse Therapy.

Zoom – The Virtual Meeting Platform

 

Most of us are likely already familiar with this video call platform. Zoom is one of the most commonly used platforms for teletherapy sessions and virtual classrooms.Â

 

Zoom is a virtual space where therapists can easily conduct sessions with students. It offers features like screen sharing, whiteboarding, and breakout rooms to create interactive and engaging sessions.

 

This is the platform most often used at Lighthouse as it is the one most therapists and students are familiar with. However, it’s not the only platform we use.Â

 

monday.com – Our EMR Platform

 

For our EMR (Electronic Medical Records) we use monday.com. It provides a way for therapists to safely share medical records with schools and parents online.

 

monday.com streamlines administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, and documentation. This allows therapists to focus much more on patient care. monday.com also offers specific features tailored to therapy practices, such as progress notes and many other tools for telehealth integration to facilitate remote therapy sessions.

 

Another notable feature of Monday.com is that Lighthouse Therapy has customized the interface to be extremely simple for therapists. Therapists have a single user interface (dashboard). There, they can see a calendar of their appointments for the week or month, their list of students, a list of appointments, and input notes. All of this can be done from a single interface without navigating anywhere. This makes providing services simple, and it means the therapist has very little to learn how to use the system.

An Overview of Our Platforms

 

I hope this gives you a clearer understanding of what our main platform and EMR are and why we use them. Zoom is the most common video call platform, so many of our therapists prefer that. However, Coviu offers a video call platform designed specifically for teletherapy, so it can help with smoother sessions once you’ve adapted to it. Monday.com is our EMR that allows the smooth and secure sharing of medical records.

 

If you have any further questions, feel free to visit our frequently asked questions section here. Thank you and I hope you have a very blessed day!

How do therapists choose their caseloads?

How do therapists choose their caseloads?

This is one of the common questions we’ve gotten when interviewing therapists. Lighthouse Therapy manages caseloads differently than many other companies. Today, let’s really dive into this question to show you how and why we handle caseloads the way we do at Lighthouse.

 

How are caseloads measured at Lighthouse Therapy?

At Lighthouse, students always come first. We wanted to show this in the way we handle caseloads. Because of this, we measure out caseloads by students rather than hours.

 

We consider one student to be one 30-minute session a week, so typically, part-time is 20-30 students per week. The rest of the time is taken up with notes, IEP planning/writing/attending, parent/teacher communication, and other activities that make up the 20 hours per week.

 

Is there a minimum & maximum?

The minimum caseload at Lighthouse Therapy is 20 students a week. This number can definitely change depending on when during the school year you are hired and how many students need to be served at the time.Â

 

As for a maximum caseload, we do not technically have a limit. There is one thing that will always come to the forefront when asking for more students. What is clinically appropriate? We want you to make as much as you’d like here. Our only caveat is your students need to come first. As long as the total number of students is not compromising the quality of their sessions, we’re happy to see you serve as many as you’d like.

 

How long does it take to get the desired caseload?

 

As mentioned a little in the previous question, getting your desired caseload can depend greatly on a couple of factors. One is the time of year that you are hired. At certain times of the year, we have less need for therapists and thus have less opportunity for therapists to gain students. Typically, the beginning of the school year will help you get to your desired caseload faster, but this is not always the case.

 

Another thing to note is that adjusting to teletherapy can be a lot all at once. We want to give you the time to get used to these changes as we incrementally raise your caseload to the preferred number of students.

How do I increase or decrease my caseload?

Raising or lowering your caseload is as simple as reaching out to one of our clinical supervisors and letting them know what your new desired caseload will be. It may take some time to reschedule some students with other therapists, but soon, you’ll get to that balance you’re looking for.

 

We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed or overworked, so if you’re beginning to feel like that, don’t feel guilty for asking to take a few students off of your caseload. We are a company run by therapists. We understand.

 

Overview

So, let’s briefly go over what we just discussed today. At Lighthouse, we measure our caseloads as students to focus clearly on why we do what we do: to see students grow and thrive. One student is equivalent to one 30-minute session a week.

 

The minimum caseload at Lighthouse is 20 students, though it may be easier or more difficult to get to this number depending on the time of year that you’re hired. We have no maximum caseload but expect that you won’t take on more students than you’re ready for. If you’re stressed, they’re more likely to be as well.Â

 

If you do happen to take on too many students or if you’re looking to increase your caseload, all you need to do is reach out to your clinical supervisor and request raising or lowering your number of students.

 

I hope this has made it much more clear to see how we manage caseloads at Lighthouse Therapy. If you have any further questions, visit our frequently asked questions page by clicking here. Thank you for taking the time to understand how we handle caseloads at Lighthouse. I hope you have a blessed day!

what kind of support is provided for therapists

What kind of support is provided to therapists?

Giving therapists the support they need to serve students to the best of their ability is not a desire; it’s a necessity. Our sole focus at Lighthouse Therapy is to be a company run by therapists, for therapists, for the betterment of students.Â

 

We have staff at every level who know precisely what struggles therapists face because they’ve faced it themselves as fellow therapists. Supporting each other is a value that runs through the veins of this company. But actions speak louder than words, so let’s talk about what kind of support we currently give to our therapists!

 

Mentors & Clinical Coordinator

 

As soon as therapists are contracted, they are paired with one of our mentors to help them adjust to Lighthouse’s online environment. We try our best to make sure that mentors are in the same field as their mentees. OTs with OTs and SLPs with SLPs. That’s our first step in helping you get started.

 

We also have our clinical coordinators to provide therapist support. These are highly experienced therapists here to help with questions, comments, and concerns when it comes to sessions, schedules, and our list of resources. You can always reach out to your mentor or clinical coordinator with a simple Google chat anytime you need assistance.

 

Google Chat Community

 

Speaking of Google chats, another one of the ways we offer support to our therapists is with a sense of community. We understand that a remote online job can sometimes feel a bit isolating when it’s just you at home with your computer.Â

 

To ease that feeling, we have group chats of therapists ready and willing to answer each other’s questions and provide support wherever they can. You’ve heard that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Here, it’s true. You’re entering a new environment, and a community of those who have done the same can make the transition much easier.

 

Tech Support

 

Lighthouse Therapy is an online company, and we understand that many of you might not be as familiar with the technology and software you’ll use in teletherapy. We get it, and we’re here to help!

 

Our tech support team is another form od therapist support that is here to fix your bugs and answer your questions. Whether it’s a computer problem or a lagging platform, we have experts ready and willing to help you smoothly traverse that hurdle. During regular business hours, feel free to reach out to them whenever you’re faced with an intimidating technical problem.

 

Pay Incentives

 

When it comes to resources, we have quite a list, and if you’re curious about what kind of resources are available, you can find our full list by clicking here

 

While you’re contracted with Lighthouse Therapy you will have access to a variety of materials to use. An extensive list of assessments and testing materials are available for learner evaluations. For ease of use, most of our assessments are available virtually, however, physical copies of certain assessments can be sent to you upon request. We also provide an OT kit to applicable students and therapists may receive a matching kit to use in sessions.Â

 

An Overview of Support at Lighthouse

 

In the end, we give therapists the resources and support necessary to serve students to the best of their ability. We provide therapist support through mentoring, a community of therapists like you, great tech support, and the resources and assessments needed to make a real difference in the lives of students.

 

The best way to see our learners grow is to support those who dedicate their time to nurture them. I hope this gives you a clear picture of the kind of support we offer here at Lighthouse Therapy. If you have any further questions feel free to visit our frequently asked questions page by clicking here. Thank you for learning more about us today! Have a blessed rest of your day!

what assessments are available at lighthouse therapy?

What assessments are available at Lighthouse Therapy?

If you’re used to working at a brick-and-mortar school, then you may be wondering how we distribute assessments in an online environment. Well, the answer is pretty simple, actually. All you need to do is request the assessments you need, and we send them to you.Â

 

We make as many assessments available online as possible. Still, we also understand that, especially in a field like occupational therapy, some assessments and materials must be physical. For occasions like these, we will mail out any materials needed.

 

What assessments do you have available at LHT?

 

We provide an extensive list of assessments. To simplify it, we’ve organized it and put it all below!

 

Psychoeducational Assessments

Academic Achievement

Woodcock-Johnson IV: Tests of Academic Achievement (WJ-IV Ach)

Academic Achievement Battery (AAB)

Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement- Third Edition (KTEA-3)

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test- Fourth Edition (WIAT-4)

Adaptive Behavior

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales- Third Edition (Vineland-3)

Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3)

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Sensory Profile 2

Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS)

Cognitive/ IQ

Woodcock-Johnson IV: Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-IV Cog)

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fifth Edition (WISC-V)

Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales- Second Edition (RIAS-2)

Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test- Second Edition (RIST-2)

Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence- Second Edition (CTONI-2)

Developmental

Developmental Profile 4 (DP-4) **Fall 2020 release

Executive Functioning

Brown Executive Function/ Attention Scales

Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function- Second Edition ADHD Form (BRIEF-2)

Processing Abilities

Test of Visual Perceptual Skills- Fourth Edition (TVPS-4)

Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing- Second Edition (CTOPP-2)

The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration- Sixth Edition (VMI-6)

Woodcock-Johnson IV: Tests of Oral Language

TAPS-4: A Language Processing Skills Assessment

Social-Emotional/ Behavioral

Behavior Assessment System for Children- Third Edition (BASC-3)

Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)

Beck Youth Inventories-2 (BYI-2)

Occupational Therapy Assessments

The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration- Sixth Edition (VMI-6)

Sensory Profile- 2

Test of Visual Perceptual Skills- Fourth Edition (TVPS-4)

Sensory Processing Measure

Sensory Processing Measure Preschool

Speech-Language Assessments

Comprehensive Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 5 (CELF5)

Comprehensive Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 5 Metalinguistics (CELF5 Meta)

Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Preschool 3 (CELF Preschool-3)

Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language Second Edition (CASL2)

Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics (CAPs)

Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation 3 (GFTA3)

Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation- Third Edition (GFTA-3), Spanish

Khan-Lewis Phonological Analysis 3 (KLPA3)

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fifth Edition (PPVT5)

Expressive Vocabulary Test, Third Edition (EVT3)

 

At Lighthouse Therapy, getting the assessments you need is as simple as reaching out. We want to help therapists with the ability to focus solely on serving the students. We do this by making our resources easily accessible and providing therapists with the support they need.

 

I hope this answers any questions you have about how assessments are provided in online therapy. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to visit our frequently asked questions page by clicking here. Thank you for learning a bit more about how we operate at Lighthouse Therapy. Have a blessed day!

what's the difference between a 1099 contractor and a W-2 employee

What is the difference between a 1099 contractor and a W-2 employee?

The differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees can be vast, but ultimately, one is not any better or worse than the other. What it really comes down to is which is the right fit FOR YOU. Today, let’s learn about some of the differences so you can make informed decisions on which type of employment you prefer!

 

What is a W-2 employee?

 

Most of us have probably already heard of being a W-2 employee. As a W-2, employees are typically hired at an hourly or salary rate and trained once hired for the position. Often times, benefits and 401k’s will be included as long as you meet the company’s requirements. To keep it simple, companies often give their team much more support, resources, and reliability when they are W-2 employees.

 

What is a 1099 contractor?

 

As a 1099 contractor, you are your own boss. 1099 is like the halfway point between owning a business and being an employee. As a 1099 contractor, you will still be under “contract” with a company to work with them. However, you are typically paid a sum of money without taxes taken out, and it is your responsibility to file, invest, and find benefits for yourself. Again, depending on the circumstances, this could cost more or end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

 

Now that we have a basic understanding of what these are let’s talk about some of the differences between them and discover why we at Lighthouse Therapy contract therapists as 1099 contractors!

 

The Freedom of 1099 Contractors

 

Flexible Hours

 

As a 1099 contractor, you decide when and how much you work. At Lighthouse, we do ask that therapists expect a minimum of 20 students, but ultimately, how you schedule those sessions is completely up to you and your students.

 

Flexible Location

 

Another perk of being a contractor at Lighthouse is that everything is online. This means that your workspace is totally up to you! Whether you want to work in a home office or are alternating between a few locations, you can still work anywhere as long as you have a computer, microphone, and headphones. (We do still expect our therapists to look and act professional during their sessions of course.)

 

Flexible Pay

 

Another benefit that comes to mind is the flexibility of pay. As we said before, we do have a student minimum of 20 kids however, making more money is as simple as increasing your workload.Â

 

We always want the best services possible for the students we serve, so we try to incrementally increase students to your desired caseload so as to not overload you as soon as you start. However, we do have some therapists serving 60-70 students a week. Again, the main thing we keep in mind with this number is ensuring that students receive appropriate services first and foremost.

 

The Responsibilities of 1099 Contractors

As a 1099 contractor, you are your own boss. This also means, however, that you have the responsibility of being your own boss as well. Let’s dive into some of these added responsibilities.

 

Responsible Taxes

 

As a W-2 employee, the company you work for takes your taxes out automatically, for you to file and receive the returns you’re owed. As a 1099 contractor, it is expected that you will put some of your paychecks away to go toward filing your taxes on your own.Â

 

We recommend that you consult an accountant to help with this and make the process as smooth as possible. In doing this, you may find some tax breaks and write-offs that you never would’ve expected previously.

 

Responsible Retirement

 

As a 1099 contractor, there isn’t any automatic enrollment in a 401k. Because of this, investing part of your paycheck towards retirement is within your control. This gives you much more freedom to make the smartest investment decisions you can make.

 

Again, we recommend talking to an investment professional to get a clear idea of what to expect when saving up for retirement.

 

Responsible Benefits

 

I’m sure you’re seeing where this is going already. As a 1099 contractor, you get to choose your insurance coverage and what it costs you. As a W-2, if your employer offers insurance that doesn’t work for your family, you’re stuck with it. The higher rate of pay as a 1099 contractor affords you the ability to choose what insurance is appropriate for your family.

 

Overview

 

Clearly, there is a lot to consider when looking for what type of employment works best for you. We’re not here to mislead or paint a picture that simply looks pretty. We want to inform and prepare you to make the choices that best fit your needs.

 

If you’re looking for a job that is simpler from a tax and insurance perspective, then a W-2 is probably the choice for you. However, with that comes a lack of freedom and flexibility when it comes to a work/life balance. If you’re ready to take on the responsibility of being your own boss and taking care of your own needs, then being a 1099 contractor is probably the right choice for you.Â

 

Finally, if you’re leaning towards being a 1099 contractor, and you’re a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or one of the many other kinds we contract, check out our jobs page for more info. We’re always looking for top-tier therapists.

 

I hope this makes the differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees easier to understand. If you’re still left with some questions, click here to go to our FAQ’s page. Thank you, and have a blessed day!

 

Key Differences

Are ASHA CCC's Required?

Are ASHA Certificates of Clinical Competence Required?

ASHA CCC’s stands for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This certification is recognized across the United States as a standard of excellence in the field. However, it’s important to note that while the CCC credential is highly valued, it does not dictate where a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is allowed to practice.

In the United States, SLPs with ASHA CCC’s have the flexibility to work in various settings, including a school setting. Advancements in technology have successfully allowed SLPs (and other related service professionals) to provide services remotely across state lines. This is a benefit to both students and schools, especially in underserved communities.

However, while the ASHA Certification (CCC) signifies a level of expertise and competence in the field, there are only three states that require it for state licensure- Nevada, Virginia and Maryland. In addition, there are only 11 states that require the CCC certification for Medicaid Billing (MI, DC, NC, WV, KY, MN, NE, KS, NM, NV, ID). State licensure and/or educational credentialing continues to remain the most important criteria for SLPs working in schools.

What does this mean for schools? As SLPs across the country become increasingly frustrated with their national association (ASHA), administrators may observe more and more SLPs dropping their ASHA CCC’s as it’s not a requirement for work. Therapists who hold an active, valid license in the state where they reside as well as the state where students reside, may be sufficient.