November 25, 2024 — Employees at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) are charged with handling their patients with care. Sometimes, that care means physically lifting and moving patients around the facility. To do so safely for both the patient and the employee requires not only proper knowledge and training, but proper equipment.
For PEF member Scott Dobe, the Head Physical Therapist at OPWDD Western New York DDSO and other healthcare workers at the agency, having access to education and training is important.
“I’m a PEF executive board member, I’m a delegate, and I’m always looking for ways to help get more training to members,” said Dobe.
When Dobe learned that Craigmile Health, a Safe Patient Handling consultant and equipment provider, was holding a conference to help educate employees in the healthcare field on best practices, he shared the information with delegates attending the PEF Convention in September. One month later, 10 members, including Dobe, attended the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Summit in Utica, N.Y.
Dobe said it would have been difficult for him — or any member — to participate in the conference had it not been for Article 15 of PEF’s contract with the State.
“So much of what we had to do for the conference had a cost associated to it,” said Dobe. “The conference itself costs money. People do not always have that money in their pockets.”
But thanks to PEF’s contract, members can receive reimbursement for costs related to continuing education that allows them to do their jobs. Through the use of Article 15 of the PEF contract, Dobe and his colleagues were able to take advantage of the Workshop and Seminar Reimbursement Program, which allows members to apply for reimbursement for fees to attend conferences, workshops and other forms of educational events.
Additionally, PEF’s contract allows members to take up to three days per year away from their day jobs to pursue professional development. This benefit requires proof of attendance and typically requires some involvement and approval from the agency.
Dobe and his fellow PEF members received hands-on training at the conference, featuring real-world scenarios where therapists and nurses learned to work together to take care of patients, as well as how to use techniques and equipment to make sure patients are handled safely and securely. The training was geared towards nursing home and group home settings.
“Direct care workers can lift the weight of a 747 aircraft in a day’s work,” said Dobe. “This can cause fatigue, burnout and injuries. With safe patient handling techniques and devices to work with, we have found improvements in recruitment and retention and fewer workers’ compensation claims. It is a proven success.”
For Dobe, the training and the contract benefit go hand in hand.
“I see these benefits as intangibles,” Dobe said. “Most members focus on salary increases in their contract, which is important. But these benefits treat you like a professional and help you keep money in your pocket. Unions are meant to support and do good for their members. These intangible benefits do incredible good for members.”
Dobe said he will be pushing for more people to take advantage of the reimbursement benefit to accommodate whatever training and licensing their job requires.
“I am looking forward to making this an annual commitment,” he said. “I am glad that members are really looking at what this union can do to provide for them as professionals.”
Editor’s note: Members interested in taking advantage of the Workshop and Seminar Reimbursement Program should visit this Office of Employee Relations web page for guidelines. PEF Training Specialist Kim.Loccisano@pef.org is also available to answer questions.