Professional Advocacy and Political Advocacy

1. Legislative advocacy A. Explain the difference between professional advocacy and political advocacy (lobbying).  Explain the role of a political action committee.  Determine if a political action committee exists for your profession or intended profession.  If one does not exist, evaluate a PAC in a different allied health profession. (use enough text to be thorough and complete.  Concise language is always appreciated)   2. Professional advocacy and the role of professional organizations A. Identify one issue related to professional advocacy in your current or intended profession.  This could include topics such as licensure or certification requirements, workforce development, the scope of practice limitations, or advanced entry-level degree requirements.   The best place to begin your investigation is with a  professional organization.  (Often there are more than one of these and it’s good to know who and what they are)   To complete this section: ·In about a page (500 words), explain the issue, describe the role and actions of the professional organization, and how this organization has attempted to impact legislative bodies, the public, and the healthcare environment related to this topic. Include citations for any professional organization and published sources related to your topic. Outline a plan that any professional could follow related to professional and legislative advocacy.  The goal of this section is for you to consider a plan that you might follow yourself and also that you might recommend to fellow professionals.  You should include the actions and organizations related to your plan. (see sample plan)  YOU MUST USE THE ORGANIZATION APTA American physical therapy association, which is my professional advocacy website. and that I the profession I am going in to.    Sample plan: Professional and legislative advocacy for a medical laboratory scientist   1. Professional advocacy Join and maintain membership in the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). Participate in state and local chapters of this organization.  Present one lunch n learn session to a student group or group of professional colleagues related to the value of membership in a professional organization.  www.ascls.org   2. Legislative advocacy Follow the activities of the ASCLS political action committee and the topics addressed at the annual legislative symposium.  (spring each year) Identify Wisconsin legislators who are members of committees related to PAC topics https://www.ascls.org/advocacy-issues/legislative-symposium   Write to appropriate legislators (or email) expressing support of the position of the PAC. (may request leave-behind information from Legislative Symposium delegates)    3. Reflection Consider what you understood about professional and legislative advocacy before you worked through this module and what you have learned.  What is an “aha” for you and how will you communicate your learning/understanding about advocacy to your fellow professionals?