Clinical Success Manager — Stephanie Walsh

This week’s spotlight is on Stephanie Walsh, MSPT, a Non-Clinical 101 graduate who is now Clinical Success Manager for Sobe Rehab!

What is your full name, title, and company name for your current, primary role?

Stephanie Walsh, MSPT — Clinical Success Manager for Sobe Rehab

Where are you located?

I live in Niles, MI.

Where did you go to PT school, and what year did you graduate?

University of Indianapolis, 1991.

What did you do when you first finished school, and for how long?

I worked at a freestanding rehab hospital as part of the SCI team for about seven years.

In what setting(s) did you work, and what types of patients did you treat?

I worked in the rehab setting, treating mostly SCI and mixed disability. Later, I ventured into home-based rehab.

What did you enjoy about your early roles? What didn’t you enjoy?

I loved the patients, and I loved my co-workers—many of whom I am still friends with today. I also loved the multidisciplinary team approach.

I did not always enjoy the lengthy days with little time for paperwork.

What else have you done since then, prior to your current role?

I continued with home-based rehab. After having my first child, I decided to take weekend shifts in a post-acute vent unit. I continued to balance work around two children. Then, we moved to Niles, MI, where we currently reside, and I took seven years off to raise my three children.

Once my youngest went to school, I went to work in acute care at our local trauma hospital in South Bend, IN. This was a great way to re-enter the field.

After about six years, I decided to venture into all outpatient geriatrics in ALF/ILF settings and did that for six to seven years.

When and why did you decide to do something non-clinical?

I decided to do something non-clinical during Covid (2020-2021) when my husband, my two college-aged and one high school-aged kids were all home, and I was the only one leaving every day to go to work.

I loved the patients and was glad to be a visitor to them in those lonely days, but I decided that, after 30 years of patient care in multiple settings and enduring the Covid time, I wanted to seek a remote job that allowed me to still use my skills as a PT.

It sounded challenging, but I knew there was something for me.

What are you doing these days?

I work for Sobe Rehab as a clinical success manager. I do documentation review to ensure our PTs, OTs, STs, PTAs and COTAs are all documenting in alignment with Medicare guidelines. I am a documentation and clinical resource for our 400+ therapists.

I also work closely with our staff hospice team and therapists to oversee daily operations of 50 active teams/locations. I run reports, write summaries for physicians, and communicate with MDs, RNs and case managers as required to discuss medical necessity of our services.

Are you still treating patients, or are you solely non-clinical?

I initially kept a small patient caseload, but as of January 2023, I am solely non-clinical.

How long have you been in your current role?

I started this role October 24, 2022.

What do you wish you would’ve known before going into this clinical success manager role?

I wish I would’ve known more about technology and how to be more organized with technology.

Did you get any special certifications or training along the way to help you get into your current role?

Yes! I took Non-Clinical 101 and loved it.

The course opened my mind to so many potential opportunities and helped me learn all the possibilities out there for clinicians like me who are ready to leave patient care.

It made me realize that, yes, I was definitely ready for that change and that I am qualified to do a non-clinical role.

Once in the role, I took any course I could find on documentation requirements and Medicare compliance—something I continue to do!

How did you find your job? Did you apply or find it through a connection?

I found my job on The Non-Clinical PT’s job list 🙂 I applied, and it worked out for me!

Did you do anything special to your resume and cover letter to land the job?

Non-Clinical 101 offers resume help with templates and great recommendations geared towards specific jobs. This was helpful, and I used it!

What was the interview like for the clinical success manager role?

Initially, I had several phone interviews to learn what they needed and what I could offer. Then, I had a Zoom call.

How have people reacted to you leaving patient care?

I did patient care for 30 years, so reactions were all good and happy for me that I found such a great job.

What’s a typical day or week in the life like for you? What types of tasks and responsibilities fill your time?

I start at 9:00 am Monday-Friday.

We have a company-wide app, where we all communicate in message streams. We also have virtual workrooms, where we can meet daily and discuss items as needed.

I have a daily to-do list, including at least two reviews, reports to run and oversee—different ones for different days—and messaging co-workers and therapists for follow up on items that need to be completed or addressed.

Each day can look different, depending on calls from therapists to assist with clinical situations or if I am called to review charts for various reasons.

Never dull or boring, and the days go fast to 5 pm.

What are some of the rewards of your role? What are the biggest challenges?

One reward is that I am still helping patients indirectly to get the care they need. I am also helping and teaching newer and younger therapists documentation and providing expertise in treatment ideas based on my years of experience. It is also rewarding to help company operations and contribute to our success as a team in providing excellent care to our senior population.

My biggest challenge is technology. Fortunately, our team is very supportive of each other, and help is always available.

How did your clinical background prepare you for this role? Which skills transferred?

This was an excellent role to transition into as an experienced PT. The last several years, I worked in an outpatient geriatric setting providing patient care to the same patients we treat at Sobe Rehab. I had also used multiple EMRs, which was helpful when transitioning into this role.

Roughly speaking, how are the hours and pay compared to patient care?

The hourly rate is lower than when I was a PT in patient care, but there are trade-offs with remote work, such as very little money spent on gas, food and other expenses.

The hours are more efficient, and I feel like there is no time wasted in an eight hour day. I also still have energy left at the end of the day.

What type of person do you think would do well in your clinical success manager role?

Friendly yet somewhat authoritative, as you are asking therapists to document better, and it takes time and effort. Definitely attention to detail and the ability to listen well. Problem-solving skills are also a must.

Do you work remotely or onsite?

I work 100% remotely.

Does your organization hire PT, OT, or SLP professionals into non-clinical roles? If so, what type of roles?

Yes, there are two of us PTs doing documentation review and other tasks. We recently had an open position for a PTA for therapist supervision and support with the EMR.

Did you read any books, take any courses, or do anything special overall to get you where you are today?

I took the Non-Clinical 101 course, and I have taken multiple documentation courses with Summit Professional Ed and PhysicalTherapy.com, among other platforms offering articles, webinars and seminars. I take a course or two per month to keep up with changes.

What is a typical career path for someone in your clinical success manager role?

A typical career path is to become a licensed practitioner and continue gaining experiences in the field that will then shape you for this role.

What is next for you? What are your high-level career aspirations?

I am content to remain in my current role, to continue to pursue education, and to provide expertise and knowledge to our therapists.

What would you recommend to someone who is considering going into a role like yours? Do you have any special words of wisdom for the readers?

I think you have to like documentation and understand the part it plays in keeping our profession alive!

What would you teach to today’s graduate students in your profession, if you had the opportunity?

Documentation is so important and helps us justify why what we do is important and necessary.

Do you have any special advice for others who want to follow in your footsteps?

Take the Non-Clinical 101 course and learn what role suits your personality. Then, pursue that role!