PATHS TO CRANIALTECH

Reshaping Children's Lives^®

Our diverse and dynamic group of clinicians traveled many different paths to CranialTech. Some of them have agreed to share their stories.

Working as an OT for 3 years before joining CranialTech, I had explored most aspects of the field. I'd spent time in acute, in-patient, out-patient, hand therapy and school settings and become frustrated with extensive documentation, low funding, lengthy hours and efficiency issues. It started to feel that insurance companies dictated my job more than I did. I returned to school to pursue Massage Therapy in a medical setting.

While waiting to pass my MT boards, I was looking into pediatric positions and came across CranialTech. After exploring the website, I was very interested in this unique aspect of OT. This was the first position I'd seen where I would be working with infants, plaster and power tools on a daily basis. Who else can say that? I was also aware that quality was the highest priority at CranialTech, and "numbers" took a backseat.

CranialTech has given me the opportunity to improve children's lives by improving their head shapes. It is, by far, the most rewarding OT position I've held. I've also been promoted to a management position; an opportunity that is difficult to come by in the therapy field and allows for tremendous personal growth. Going into my 4th year at this company, I can say that there is never a dull moment and always vast opportunities to learn a great deal.

-- Leslie Smith, OTR/L - Annandale, VA - Clinician since July 2003

The work that I do at CranialTech is challenging, rewarding, and is continuously evolving.

I had been practicing as an occupational therapist for three years in various settings and felt like I couldn't really find my niche. I also felt like my hard work and dedication was not properly being compensated on a financial and professional level. When I started working for CranialTech, I soon discovered the work I was doing was the niche I was looking for. I was immediately impressed with how this company is so willing to invest in their employees and how they value the hard work of their teams. Their dedication to providing a quality product, encouraging a team environment, and focus on patient care has taught me more about professionalism and "patient first" attitude than I ever learned in my previous three years working in healthcare.

-- Joanne Chung, OTR/L - Glenview, IL - Clinician since June 2004

I am a pediatric physical therapist working at CranialTech. I've worked in peds for seven years now, but in 2003 I was looking for a change in location and a change in the "numbers game" that went with therapy treatment. I was feeling confined by the restrictions put on me to determine when, who, and how I could provide treatment. Although there was no option in my mind of giving up pediatrics, I was ready for some type of change. I found that change at CranialTech.

I love working at CranialTech. The atmosphere is one of absolute support and caring for the kids and families we treat. CranialTech believes in providing quality care and gives me the tools I need to provide that care. I've learned another completely new aspect of being a physical therapist, yet I can apply my peds developmental background to my job daily. I educate, assess, evaluate, and treat every day. I enjoy my job and am rewarded by the satisfaction and happiness we provide to the kids and families.

-- Angie Kaiser, PT - San Diego, CA - Clinician since October 2003

Prior to working at CranialTech, I was a pediatric physical therapist for three years. During that time I treated many infants and toddlers with torticollis. While treating these patients, I had the opportunity to see three different cranial bands on a regular basis. I noticed that my patients who wore the DOC Band^® had better results and wore them the shortest amount of time. I also noticed the parents of DOC Band children felt more empowered and active in their child's treatment than those parents in other bands.

Even though I had two other bands available within 15 minutes of my office, I always referred patients to CranialTech regardless of the 90 minute drive.

I chose to work at CranialTech because they are the specialists in cranial banding. Just as if I suffered a shoulder injury, I would go to an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in shoulders.

-- Justin Hea, PT - Charlotte, NC - Clinician since May 2006

I have been a physical therapist for 16 years. During that time I worked in various settings (acute care hospital, outpatient clinics, home health, EI facility) doing a little bit of everything. A couple of years ago, I was looking to return to work. I felt like the available job positions at the time were the "same old, same old". Then I found an interesting ad for a position at CranialTech that piqued my curiosity. When I went to the CranialTech website, I knew I had stumbled upon something out of the ordinary!

I enjoy working with babies, and working with my hands. This position allows me to successfully treat babies in a short period of time, which is very rewarding. I also like the idea that I am specializing in a relatively new, unique area of treatment.

-- Ginny O'Grady, PT - Oak Brook, IL - Clinician since August 2002

I have been an occupational therapist since 1994. Prior to CranialTech, I spent several years in various specialty areas including outpatient hands, skilled nursing and acute burn care.

Although all of my past work experiences were rewarding to me, I became very interested in pursuing occupational therapy work at CranialTech after my friend's son finished treatment to correct his positional plagiocephaly. She was also an OT and spoke very highly of her experience both from a parent and a therapist perspective. Because of her positive experience, I decided to look into job opportunities at CranialTech.

Working at CranialTech has been an excellent experience for both personal and professional growth. The company offers a comprehensive training program, continuing education with yearly conferences and great support throughout the year. I enjoy the interaction with the infants and their parents. I also like working with the physicians on a professional level. CranialTech gives you the tools to become highly skilled in evaluating and treating infants with positional plagiocephaly.

It is a great feeling to work for a company committed to providing the highest quality of care and CranialTech is definitely committed to that high level of service.

-- Margaret Finestone, OTR - Traveling Clinician - Clinician since September 1998

I have been an RN for four years and have worked in childrens hospitals in NICU, orthopaedics and general pediatrics. I love working with kids and babies, however 12-hour hospital shifts, nights and weekends made me burn out.

I was looking for a change when my daughter had to wear a DOC Band. When we first went to CranialTech, I was amazed at the clinical setting and that everyone seemed happy, even the families. I thought to myself this would be a wonderful place to work. As an RN, I had never heard of plagiocephaly until it happened to my daughter. Who could have known how the DOC band and CranialTech would change our lives?

At CranialTech, I get to work every day with infants and toddlers. Now, I have a set schedule with no weekends or holidays along with the ability to travel if I so desire. And the added benefit of a company who treats their employees great!

-- Michael Dehart, RN - Dallas, TX - Clinician since September 2006

After working in geriatric physical therapy for four years, I was looking for a way to move into pediatrics. With CranialTech's extensive training program, it was the perfect opportunity for me to move into the pediatric field. A clinician since 2005, I've been able to work with my hands and see great immediate therapeutic results on the children I treat!

-- Purvi Patel, MPT - Paramus, NJ - Clinician since October 2005

I worked in long-term care for two years prior to working with CranialTech. I was very burned out with long-term care and tired of not seeing many results with the patients I was treating. I answered an ad in the newspaper and spent time observing the CranialTech clinic. I was instantly intrigued and amazed with the office as a whole.

CranialTech has allowed me to expand my clinical skills in a variety of ways. I have gained a thorough knowledge of the skull and facial structures and their relationship to long-term concerns. My current understanding of torticollis treatment goes unmatched to anything I learned in school. Although the majority of the children we see in treatment have no underlying developmental or physical problems, my background has allowed me to educate families in the importance of tummy time and how to play with their babies to encourage normal motor milestone development.

The rewards of working at CranialTech are endless. CranialTech gives you the opportunity to use the highest quality product in treatment of plagiocephaly. The education in head shape analysis, casting, fitting, and cranial growth shows the dedication this company has for not only its product and employees, but most of all the babies and families we deal with on an everyday basis. It has been a very rewarding position to obtain such great results in plagiocephaly and to be able to educate families and other professionals in the medical field.

-- Lisa Hendricks, LPT - Charlotte, NC - Clinician since October 2001

I have been an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics for over 10 years. Having worked in both school and home-based settings, with a wide variety of diagnoses, I made a change and chose to work with CranialTech so I could focus on a specific population, truly becoming a "specialist" in one defined area.

I am thrilled with my decision to join CranialTech for many reasons -- I am able to work with the population that I enjoy most; I have direct contact with parents and am able to educate them regarding plagiocephaly, torticollis, synostosis, and infant development; and, I assist in creating a device that will correct a problem. Results are also measurable! In addition, CranialTech provides ongoing training and support that enhances professional growth.

-- Harlie Kanner, MA, OTR/L - Phoenix, AZ - Clinician since August 2003

As a new graduate, I was drawn to CranialTech because of the opportunity to practice in a non-traditional pediatric therapy setting. This company has given me a new outlook on the different and purposeful ways a therapist can use his or her skills.

CranialTech has given me the opportunity to provide a quality product with a wonderful result for the child. I work in a very team-oriented and goal-driven center which sees children, ages 2-24 months.

I have developed many new skills as a therapist for CranialTech -- head shape analysis; observation skills; casting techniques; communication skills; and many more. My experience with this company has been extremely rewarding, and I would recommend it to anyone!

-- Michelle Skaggs, MS, OTR/L - Charlotte, NC - Clinician since August 2002

We understand this may all be new to you. After reading these stories, if you'd like to speak with someone who has been in your shoes, please fill out our contact form and a clinician will be in touch with you.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in Cranial Technologies' website should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. If you have questions regarding treatment of an infant currently in the DOC Band®, clinicians at the center providing treatment should be contacted directly. For feedback or general questions about our website, please email the webmaster at wbmgr@cranialtech.com Website Last Revised: January 12 2007 Created: August 16 2002 ©1997-2008 Cranial Technologies Inc. All rights reserved. DOC, DOC Band and Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty are Trademarks of Cranial Technologies, Inc. U.S. Patents 5,094,229; 5,038,312; 5,951,503; 6,346,353. Site Design by Park&Co.