New Clinical Education Course Reguirement For Clinicians Providing STAR Cranial Remolding Orthosis

In addition to your education and professional experience as a certified orthotist or prosthetist, it is now required for all new clinicians to take an Orthomerica STAR cranial course prior to sending in a cranial order.  This requirement can be met in two ways:

• Clinicians may attend an 8 hour Orthomerica cranial course, pass the proficiency exam and provide an acceptable impression.

• Clinicians may complete Orthomerica’s online course:  “Orthotic Management of Deformational Plagiocephaly and Other Head Shape Deformities”, pass the proficiency exam, and provide an acceptable impression.

Clinicians who have taken an 8 hour Orthomerica Cranial Course in the past, and have sent Orthomerica impressions and paperwork that meet the quality standards for cranial orthoses, will be exempt from taking an additional course.  Clinicians who are exempt are welcome to take the online course for review and to receive CEUs for the course.

More information

Over the past six years, our STAR Cranial Remolding Orthosis Program has grown exponentially as a result of the increased incidence of head shape problems, and Orthomerica’s clinical education, regulatory and marketing efforts.  Clinical education courses have been offered at local, state, and international meetings and our cranial seminars are unparalleled in the industry.  Orthomerica clinical educators teach cranial courses at orthotic university programs across the United States, helping to ensure that this treatment continues to be part of the orthotist’s scope of practice.

Orthotists have used cranial remolding orthoses to treat babies with head shape problems since the late ‘70s, prior to the FDA reclassifying these devices in 1998.  Experienced clinicians specializing in cranial remolding orthoses began using Orthomerica as their fabrication facility in 2000, when Orthomerica became the first central fabrication facility for the O&P industry with FDA clearance.  Credentialed orthotists already have the educational background, manual skills, equipment, and expertise to manage infants with head shape deformities.  Although a large number of practitioners have taken additional training in this treatment, there are still great numbers of orthotists interested in developing a specialty in this area of practice.

The online course has been developed so that clinicians can learn the course content at their leisure, without leaving their home or office.  This comprehensive course has elements of PowerPoint, outside reading, and hands on casting components to reinforce the concepts.

Full day (8-hour) on-site STAR Cranial Seminars are offered at least 3 times per year in the United States and abroad.  They may also be taught at individual facilities and at state and national meetings.

Facilities that purchase the STARscanner Data Acquisition System from Orthomerica are also invited to attend an annual two-day STARsummit Meeting in Orlando, FL.  This advanced seminar brings cranial clinicians and craniofacial specialists from all over the world together to discuss the latest clinical protocols, innovative treatment options, research, and other topics to further their expertise in the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly and other head shape problems.

Orthomerica is dedicated to providing the highest educational content and cranial remolding orthoses to the orthotic and prosthetic profession.  We are confident that practitioners taking these educational courses and the babies they serve,will benefit from the comprehensive information provided. 

Participants who successfully complete the online course will be awarded 10 ABC approved CEUs.  Participants completing a full day STAR cranial course will be awarded 8 ABC approved CEUs. 

For more information about the Orthomerica Online Course, please contact our Online Cranial Course Coordinator at 877.737.8444.  Dates for our on-site STAR cranial courses will be posted on our website when the information is available.

Sincerely,
Orthomerica Products, Inc.