and
CFS Allied Health Education
ABC® Approved Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes Program
Now approved for 16 CE's through ABC
Please call (866) 936-7463 to register or for more information.
With a greater need for competent, reliable, and ethical patient care as it pertains to those who live with diabetes and the symptoms attributed to the disease, it is necessary to hold those responsible to a higher standard.
The fitter of therapeutic shoe certification is awarded as an attestation of competency for the public, those who require orthotic/prosthetic services as a result of diabetes, and those in other health professions. The awarding of an ABC® fitter certification provides the certified fitter with an appropriate and meaningful recognition of professional competence.
Applicants for certification are required to complete established educational, experiential requirements.
Scope of Practice - ABC® Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes
An ABC® certified fitter of therapeutic shoes is an individual trained and qualified in the provision of non-custom therapeutic shoes and non-custom diabetic multi-density inserts. A certified fitter of therapeutic shoes is competent to practice within the scope of non-custom therapeutic footwear only.
The ABC® certified fitter of therapeutic shoes is bound by the ABC® Code of Professional Responsibility, which is enforced by a Professional Discipline program. The ABC® certified fitter of therapeutic shoes is obligated to support and conform to professional responsibilities that promote and assure the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession. The time-limited certification is based on participation in the Mandatory Continuing Education program.
Eligibility Criteria:
- 250 hours of patient contact which includes fitting of therapeutic shoes
- An attestation form verifying the shoe fitting experience. This form must be signed off by the candidate's supervisor, a referral source or a coworker who is familiar with the candidates work experience.
- Completion of an NCOPE approved Therapeutic Shoe Educational Course
- Successful completion of an ABC administered 100 question, multiple choice exam
Fitter Examinations:
| Exam Date | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| November 17-22, 2008 | September 1, 2008 |
Tuition & Fees:
All applicants are required to submit an
application and examination fee in order to become eligible for the
Certified Fitter exams.
Tuition: 1+1 Class - $295
or DLP
ALL Online $295
No two-part hidden fees!
ABC Application Fee - $75
ABC Examination Fee - $175
Certification Awarded
Fitters who successfully complete the eligibility requirements
prescribed by ABC®
are conferred the credentials of ABC®
Certified Fitter
of Therapeutic Shoes (CFts).
ABC Application Form
Shoe Fitter Certification Application (PDF)
Maintaining Fitter Certification
All ABC Certified Orthotic and Mastectomy Fitters are required to
maintain certification by participating in continuing education,
adhering to the Code of Professional Responsibility and remitting annual
fees.
Mandatory Continuing Education Program
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics &
Pedorthics (ABC) has long recognized the need for effective continuing
professional education. Continuing education is meant to maintain and
develop the quality of care offered by individuals credentialed by ABC,
and is the norm in health care professions. Educational activities are
designed to maintain, develop, and increase the knowledge, skills, and
professional relationships that Certified Fitters use to provide
services for the public, thus inherently promoting professional
development.
A Mandatory Continuing Education credit is defined as one credit equals
one contact hour. The minimum requirements for each five-year
registration cycle are as follows:
Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes - 25 Credits
Distance Learning Program (DLP) Details
A minimum of 16 contact hours will be required. The program consists of an 12-hour self-paced online component that is comprised of Flash-based narrated PowerPoint lectures, labs, self assessments and videos followed by a 2-4-hour virtual web-meeting class covering the hands-on and lab components. It is ideal for the busy professional that has intermediate computer skills and shoe fitting experience.
Online (Done before attending the Web-based Virtual Class)
|
Module |
Lecture / Lab / Self Assessment |
| Basic Foot Anatomy | Online |
| Terminology | Online |
| Material Science | Online |
| Foot Pathologies | Online |
| Documentation | Online |
| Ethics | Online |
| Diabetic Complications | Online |
| Functional Foot Assessment | Online |
| Patient Evaluation | Online |
| Shoe Fitting | Online |
Web-based Virtual Class (Allow 2-4 Hours. Call to schedule)
Patient Evaluation & Techniques
Pedograph, Patient Evaluation & Foot Assessment Labs
Foot Measurement, Shoe Fitting & Selection / Shoe Fitting Lab
Shoe Lacing / Shoe Adjustment Labs
1 + 1 Online Program Details
A minimum of 16 contact hours will be required. The program consists of an 8-hour online component that is comprised of Flash-based narrated PowerPoint lectures followed by an 8-hour live class covering the hands-on and lab components. It is ideal for the busy professional that has intermediate computer skills.
Online (Done before attending Class Day)
|
Module |
Lecture |
| Basic Foot Anatomy | Online |
| Terminology | Online |
| Material Science | Online |
| Foot Pathologies | Online |
| Documentation | Online |
| Ethics | Online |
| Diabetic Complications | Online |
| Patient Evaluation | In Class |
| Shoe Fitting | In Class |
Class Day
08:30 am – 09:45am Entrance, Progress Note & Exit Labs
09:45 am – 10:00 am Break
10:00 am – 12:00 am Patient Evaluation & Techniques
12:00 pm – 01:00 pm Lunch
01:00 pm – 02:30 pm Pedograph, Patient Evaluation & Diabetic Foot Assessment Lab
02:30 pm – 02:45 pm Break
02:45 am – 04:30 am Foot Measurement, Shoe Fitting & Selection / Shoe Fitting Lab
04:30 pm – 05:30 pm Shoe Lacing / Shoe Adjustment Labs
Cost (Per Student) and Location:
The 1 + 1 Online format course fee is $295 for 1 day of online and 1 day of live instruction.
The DLP format course fee is $295 for 100% online instruction. No travel required!
NOTE: The second day of the 2 day live class is the "+1" part of the 1+1 class. The online portion must be completed before taking the live portion of the class.
Please call (866) 936-7463 to register or for more information.
Dates:
|
2008 |
| 1 + 1 Format - Dates: |
| September 12: Los Angeles, CA |
| October 11: Louisville, KY |
| October 25: Atlanta, GA |
| December 5: Baltimore, MD |
|
|
| Instructors: | |
 |
Bob Schwartz C. Ped., BOC Pedorthist, CFO |
 |
Lori Schwartz C. Ped., BOC Pedorthist, CFO |
 |
Rick E. Sevier BS Ed., C. Ped., BOC Pedorthist, ROPA |
Please call (866) 936-7463 to register.
Access Online Portion of Program Here
(Password Required)