Occupational Therapy is Always at Work at ERI

Do you walk the walk of your therapy talk in your own clinical workspace? Does your workplace support different ways of working and learning? In what ways might you consider and improve the physical and social-emotional wellbeing of your colleagues and yourself in the workplace?

In recognition and celebration of OT month, ERI’s in-house OT and Assistant Director of Continuing Education – Joann Sorg- is sharing how our workplace is supportive of different working and learning needs. Taking good care of our small and mighty team is essential so we can deliver on our mission to our clinical community!

What are some ways ERI meets the needs of employees who have caregiving roles outside of work?

Our company was founded by two working parents, so flexibility around schedules and timing has been built in from the start. Team members make the most of their work time by enjoying flexibility in work schedules to minimize long commute times or missed family events. Workplace flexibility means that remote work is not only possible but valued when it supports employees’ wellbeing.

When it comes to learning and job performance, employees value autonomy and a sense of meaning and purpose in what they do day-to-day. How does ERI balance autonomy in work roles with connection amongst team members?

Being a small company means that folks may play several roles and wear multiple hats. Some level of autonomy with decision making and prioritizing work tasks is essential for efficiency and delivering on our company goals. At the same time, connection is crucial for a sense of purpose and meaning in what we do.
The ERI team intentionally gathers both in-office and out of the office to enjoy connection as colleagues and friends. Over the summer of 2024, the team ventured out of the office to The Orchard House in historic Concord, MA. Following a tasty lunch at a nearby restaurant, we toured Louisa May Alcott’s home, learning about her family history and writing career. It was a truly refreshing day around her gardens and historic home. We even found connection to ERI’s aims in the writings of her father, Amos Bronson Alcott, whose General Maxims on Teaching lead to thoughtful musing about the evolution of continuing education since its writing in the 1820’s.

When we’re together in Medfield, we make time to gather around the table for lunch and easy-going conversations about families, events and travels and especially, our latest favorite TV shows, movies and books! We learn about the interests and experiences of our colleagues, from oil painting to formula 1, from golf to concerts and theater. We pack a lot into our lunch break and always leave the table filled up!

How does ERI support the physical wellbeing of team members in the office?

With much of our work at the desktop on screen(s), we make efforts to move our bodies whenever reasonably possible. Adjustable standing desks and yoga mats are a couple of our favorite pieces of equipment, but that’s not the only way to move. Some of us are known to journey up two flights of stairs for the restroom, rather than using the facilities directly outside our office. Walking meetings are welcomed back as the weather cooperates and even a quick stroll around our business complex is encouraged as a fresh air movement break. According to one employee, the only thing missing in the physical equipment department is a pull-up bar for some stretching, strengthening and regulating heavy work (hint, hint!).

What about work practices? How do these fit with different learning and working needs?

As clinicians, we know the importance of leaning on our strengths and using smart strategies to build on the skills that need a boost. Over the past 30+ years, our team has gathered experience, refined work practices, and responded sustainably to changes in the company’s and customers’ needs. All of this experience has allowed for established procedures and a comforting predictability when possible, so energy, efforts and attention can be directed toward creating and providing CE content with personalized customer service whether the customer is an individual clinician or a healthcare system with hundreds of clinicians. We are frequently considering and revising work practices that will facilitate each team member’s participation and accuracy with our job performance. We lend a hand. We embrace challenges with curiosity and capability.

This OT Month I’m happy to say that we have a robust and smooth goodness of fit between the environment, activities, routines, skills and abilities in the ERI Team that are very likely to contribute to ongoing progress toward our mission- provide evidence based and relevant continuing education that reminds therapists why they love what they do.

Joann Sorg, OTR
Assistant Director of Continuing Education

Continuing Education Courses with OH PT Approval

Ohio PT CEUs

Calling all Ohio pediatric PTs!

ERI has applied to or received approval by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association for the following pediatric continuing education courses. Browse these courses to find one that works for you. Currently, you can save $50 on all of these courses by using coupon code SPRING25 at checkout:

Live Webinars:

Don’t Wait for Gait! Therapeutic Evaluation and Treatment of Pediatric Gait
Liesa Ritchie-Persaud
May 7, 12 and 14, 2025
Approved by the OH Physical Therapy Association

Utilizing NDT in Pediatric Practice
Colleen Carey
July 16 and 23, 2025
Approved by the OH Physical Therapy Association

Baby Treatment: Contemporary NDT and Evidence-Based Intervention
Suzanne Davis
June 17, 19 and 20, 2025
November 4, 6, 11 and 13, 2025
Approved by the OH Physical Therapy Association

Mary Massery’s LINKED: Breathing & Postural Control Part 1
Mary Massery
August 8 and 9, 2025
Approved by the OH Physical Therapy Association

Baby Beats and Breaths: Therapeutic Interventions for the Premature Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise
Holly Schifsky
August 8 and 9, 2025
Application has been made to the OH Physical Therapy Association

NEW! Supporting Infant Movement Development in the NICU: Modifying Manual Therapy Interventions for the Medically Complex Infant
Holly Schifsky
October 6, 8, 13 and 15, 2025
Application has been made to the OH Physical Therapy Association

In-Person Courses: 

Utilizing NDT in Pediatric Practice
Colleen Carey
June 20 and 21, 2025
Sylvania, OH
Approved by the OH Physical Therapy Association

Baby Beats and Breaths: Therapeutic Interventions for the Premature Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise
Holly Schifsky
August 8 and 9, 2025
Columbus, OH
Application has been made to the OH Physical Therapy Association

Click each link to learn more about the courses and to register. Have you taken 3 or more courses with ERI? With our loyalty program, you can receive $100 off your fourth course! Login to your dashboard to see if you qualify and contact our office at 800-487-6530 or email info@educationresourcesinc.com

We Want to Hear from You! Seeking Focus Group Participants

focus group

Got a Minute? 

ERI is seeking therapists for upcoming one hour focus groups to be scheduled sometime in June. We want to gain a better understanding of our customers to help inform new initiatives, plans and decisions across ERI. This way, we can provide you with exactly what you want and need to further your educational goals. We are specifically seeking therapists working within the birth to five year old population.

How to Apply

Complete this short survey to be considered for selection into our focus groups: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ERIfocusgroup
Anyone who submits an application will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. In the event you are chosen to participate in one of the focus groups, you will receive free registration to any ERI on-demand course of your choosing. 

Deadline for Application

Deadline to sign up is by May 5. We look forward to hearing from you and value your thoughts and opinions! 

Announcing a New Position with ERI!

remote job social media part time work

Are you connected with the OT and PT communities online? Do you enjoy learning, exploring, and sharing ideas and info with fellow therapists? Is social media a consistent part of your daily routine?

ERI’s mission is to provide clinically relevant and evidence based continuing education while reminding therapists why they love what they do. The Social Media Ambassador has the opportunity to further this mission through meaningful connections and interactions in the OT and PT communities nationwide or even worldwide.

This is a remote role with a combination of independent, self-directed work and virtual, real-time monthly collaboration with our clinical team. We are a small but dedicated, energetic and supportive team.

ERI has two openings for a Social Media Ambassador to support our courses and conferences, specifically for school-based, pediatric clinicians.

We are looking for an OT/OTA and PT/PTA preferably with school based experience to:

  • Engage in social media groups on Facebook and accounts on Instagram through shares, posts, comments, polls, stories, etc. on a frequent basis
  • Share clinically relevant insights and impressions with ERI clinical and marketing team
  • Meet virtually with ERI Assistant Director of Continuing Education monthly

For full details of role, required and preferred qualifications and skills, please download the below job description: Social Media Ambassador – Roles & Responsibilities for Therapies Conference.

To apply for the position, please fill out the application and submit your CV/resume. Deadline for application submissions is Sunday, May 4, 2025. We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about you!

NEW Feeding Course for Pediatric Therapists

Sensory processing, structural differences and varying experiences can each play a role in feeding challenges for children through adults. Join speaker, Danielle Carey, CCC-SLP, during this live webinar to strengthen your holistic approach to assessment and intervention for clients with feeding challenges, looking at muscle weakness, abnormal rest posture and swallowing patterns, sensory processing differences, retained reflexes, the mealtime environment, and more. 

feeding and swallowing disorders

Pediatric Feeding Difficulty in Infants through Adolescents

Feeding challenges in childhood through adulthood can arise from sensory differences, structural differences, a lack of experience with advanced textures, or all the above. Enhance your feeding knowledge with this holistic approach that acknowledges the role of structural differences, retained reflexes, sensory differences, muscle weakness, and abnormal breathing/rest posture/swallow patterns on mealtime participation and eating. We’ve offered three dates to choose from: 

Danielle will take the therapist through determining how to functionally assess for tongue ties and to determine when releases are warranted. You’ll also learn and embrace a neurodiversity affirming approach that accounts for individual differences including emotional support and counseling techniques that contribute to positive outcomes for clients and families struggling with feeding. This new course is full of insightful strategies and practical information that feeding therapists can start using with their families immediately. 

Looking for Ways to Save?

Save $50 on any of the above course dates by using coupon code SPRING25
by April 25! If you’ve taken four or more courses with us, you’re eligible for $100 off your next course. Check your ERI dashboard and call our office for this loyalty discount. Additionally, you can save money by bundling courses or registering as a group. Check out all the different ways you can save!