This week’s spotlight is on Courtney Emmenegger, OTR/L, ATP, a non-clinical occupational therapist who is now
Specialty Account Manager at Numotion!
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What is your full name, title, and company name for your current, primary role?
Courtney Emmenegger, OTR/L, ATP – Specialty Account Manager at Numotion.
Where are you located?
St. Louis, MO
Where did you go to PT/OT/SLP/A school, and what year did you graduate?
Saint Louis University – 2021
What did you do when you first finished school, and for how long?
OT in ARU for 2.5 years
In what setting(s) did you work, and what types of patients did you treat?
Acute Rehab – neuro, geriatrics, SCI
What did you enjoy about your early roles? What didn’t you enjoy?
I loved interacting with my patients and watching them progress. The job was very physically demanding and I was not able to keep up with it due to my health.
When and why did you decide to do something non-clinical?
Our rehab sold and I decided it was the perfect time to try something new! I already completed the wheelchair evals as the therapist at the rehab, so this was an easy non-clinical switch!
What are you doing these days?
I am an account manager for Numotion.
Are you still treating patients, or are you solely non-clinical?
I am solely non-clinical.
How long have you been in your current role?
Since December 2023
Did you get any special certifications or training along the way to help you get into your current role?
I did not – though I do feel a non-clinical 101 class would have been helpful!
How did you find your job? Did you apply or find it through a connection?
I found it through the connection of completing wheelchair evaluations while working at the rehab.
Did you do anything special to your resume and cover letter to land the job?
I was able to include skills I learned in clinical practice to bridge the gap to the new role!
What are some of the things you did to stand out, take initiative, and advance in your career?
I am now switching to be an ATP. I think my clinical background, and also my desire to help the client/patient first and foremost, was the most helpful in advancing to this role!
How have people reacted to you leaving patient care?
Most people were supportive, as it is an adjacent role still within the medical world!
What’s a typical day or week in the life like for you? What types of tasks and responsibilities fill your time?
I work in a hybrid role at the moment. I spend time educating therapists, MDs, etc. on why custom equipment can be helpful to their patients, as well as coordinating the paperwork needed to process the orders through insurance!
What are some of the rewards of your role? What are the biggest challenges?
The largest reward of the role is when a patient receives their chair – it truly is heartwarming! The largest challenge of the role is dealing with insurance and denials, similar to in clinical practice!
How did your clinical background prepare you for this role? Which skills transferred?
I believe “people skills,” as well as knowledge of the diagnoses in practice, have been very helpful for this role!
Roughly speaking, how are the hours and pay compared to patient care?
I work a few more hours than I did as a clinician, but it is much more flexible. I make my own schedule now so I as long as I complete my work, I am able to do so in the way that works best for myself, my clients, and my clinics!
What type of person do you think would do well in your role?
I think someone who loves to socialize and is organized would do well in this role. It is not traditional marketing–more education–but there are aspects where these characteristics are helpful to success!
Do you work remotely or onsite?
I work hybrid, partially from home completing order processing and partially on the road visiting my clinics and offices!
Does your organization hire PT, OT, or SLP professionals into non-clinical roles? If so, what type of roles?
Numotion does hire clinicians for non-clinical roles including Specialty Account Manager (my position), ATPs, management, clinical education, and roles in order processing.
Did you read any books, take any courses, or do anything special overall to get you where you are today?
I have taken many courses through Numotion Academy of Mine to prepare for the role, and know more about the equipment and process now. I would very much recommend this, even to practicing clinicians!
What is a typical career path for someone in your role?
There are so many options for someone in my role for career paths. Many people actually stay as an account manager for a long time, however, if you choose to move up or change directions, you can be an ATP, a manager of the account managers, clinical educator, and many other roles within the CRT world!
What is next for you? What are your high-level career aspirations?
I am switching to be an ATP, also with Numotion!
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 would encourage someone looking to switch into this role type to soul search and make sure they are ready to leave clinical practice. While I love my job, I do miss aspects of clinical practice, as it is a different world!
What would you teach to today’s graduate students in your profession, if you had the opportunity?
I would love to teach graduate students more about the intricacies of custom wheelchairs and how they can use the devices to assist their future patients! I do not feel like I knew enough about this coming out of school!
