About Shari Prater

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Physical Rehabilitation Network (PRN)
660 E. Calaveras Blvd
Milpitas, Ca 95035
VMware - Global Ergonomic Program Manager

SENIOR INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMIST, ERGONOMIC SPECIALIST
Provides onsite Comprehensive and Proactive ergonomic workstation evaluations to include written comprehensive reports, marketing of services, and class lectures for prevention of repetitive strain injuries and back lift safety programs. Performs Vehicle Assessments and is involved in Industrial Ergonomics to include field work, manufacturing, assembly and warehouse situations. Assist users to recognize ergonomic problems and adverse effects and identifies solutions. A Return to Work program was developed for injured workers in an industrial setting. This included full analysis of physical capacities and job descriptions for each job at the plant site. Researched and developed Written Job Descriptions for 52 positions for a local staffing company. This outlined essential job functions and physical capacities. Direct interfacing with Human Resource Managers, Health and Safety Engineers and employees at all levels of the corporate structure. Reports to the Director of Operations/ Ergonomic Program at PRN.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Responsible for evaluation and treatment of complicated surgical and repetitive strain patients. Heavy focus on marketing to insurance carriers, physicians, and claims managers; departmental budget, staffing- hiring, training, retention, termination; student program, volunteer program, job site analysis, functional capacity evaluation testing, equipment ordering, in-services to staff at general staff meetings, development of prescription pads, marketing brochures, and most in-house documentation materials used in the department. Directly over saw operations of two clinics and was responsible for staffing of therapists as well as support staff in the Hand Therapy department. Achieved E.P.I.C. lift certification. Reported directly to the owner of Rehab Outcome (bought out by PRN 1/99).

Community Hospital and Rehab. Center of Los Gatos- Physical Health Center
777 Knowles Drive
Los Gatos, CA. 95030 (408) 866-4059
CLINICAL COORDINATOR/ SUPERVISOR, LEVEL III CLINICAL THERAPIST
Responsible for setting up a new department, including developing of marketing materials, inter- and intra-departmental documents and procedures; developing the budget, tracking statistics on physician referrals, patient visits and equipment costs. Evaluation and treatment of patients, job site analysis; staff hiring and training; marketing to insurance carriers, physicians and the community including interviews on the radio, TV and newspapers. Organized and led community self-help groups; established a strong reputation in the Los Gatos and San Jose area for quality patient care and functional outcomes; was directly involved in establishing three new programs within my department in 2 1/2 years, while balancing the budget and being fiscally responsible. Gave monthly lectures at support groups and Hospital Orientation to new hires; participated in Utilization Review committee, Case Conferences, Quality Assurance committee, organized Monthly Hand Rounds for the physicians. Was a board member of the San Jose Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Reported to the Chief Operations Officer of the Hospital.

Frederick Finseth MD
Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation Center of Mountain View
2660 Solace Place, #B
Mt. View, CA. 94040
STAFF THERAPIST, CONSULTANT
Responsible for evaluation and treatment of complex surgical patients, job site analysis, and functional capacity evaluations using the LIDO system. Equipment ordering, observations of surgeries, program development, in-services, assisted in development of two brochures for marketing, development of evaluation forms and treatment procedures. Achieved Certified Hand Therapist status. Achieved certification on the LIDO. Reported directly to the Physician.

Hand Therapy and Rehabilitation Associates
251 E. Hacienda Ave.
Campbell, CA. 95008
SENIOR HAND THERAPIST
Evaluation and treatment of upper extremity patients. Heavy physician and insurance company contact. Responsible for program development, ordering supplies, marketing, in-services to staff, student and volunteer programs. Trained seven additional staff therapists. Achieved a Certificate in Supervision and Management. Reported to the owner of the company.

Pace Therapy
11411 Beach St. Cerritos, CA.
STAFF THERAPIST
Responsible for patient care. Developed five Medicare Rehabilitation Units within five Skilled Nursing Facilities. Provided in-services to licensed nursing staff including Medicare procedures, billing, public relations and marketing. Reported to the Northern California Representative of the Company.

Education:
Oxford Research Institute, Certified industrial Ergonomist 2011
Oxford Research Institute, Certified Associate Ergonomist 2003
Functional Capacity Evaluation- Residency Program 2000
E.P.I.C. Lift Capacity Certified Evaluator 1997
Certified X-ray Technician in California for the Bone Densitometer 1994
Certified Self-help Course Leader in Pain Management. Arthritis Foundation 1993
Certified Hand Therapist. American Society of Hand Therapists 1991
Certified Advanced Evaluator using the LIDO Workset 1991
Certificate in Supervision and Management, San Jose State University 1989
Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy, Honors. San Jose State University 1985

Memberships
Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)
Santa Clara Chapter of OTAC
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
Hand Study Interest Group-Northern California Chapter (Hand-SIG)
Bay Area Ergonomic Roundtable (BAER)
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
Human Factors and Ergonomic Society (HFES)
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)

Professional Development
Essentials of Cal/Safety Training –OSHA 5 days San Francisco, CA 2009
The National Ergonomics Conference and
Exposition Annual Conference-5 days Las Vegas, NV 2008
Doctor’s Demystify Current Science for
Experienced Hand Therapists-3 days San Francisco, CA 2007
50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors
and Ergonomic Society-5 day course San Francisco, CA 2006
Ergonomic Interventions and Research:
Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in
Healthcare, Construction and Other Industries. Berkeley, CA 2005
Critical Thinking Skills for the Functional
Capacity Evaluator San Diego, CA 2005
Anatomical and Biomechanical Basis of
Hand Therapy Protocols Sacramento, CA 2004
The Silent Compressor: The Nerve of it All San Ramon, CA 2004
Repetitive Motion Collisions (RSI) San Ramon, CA 2004
American Society of Hand Therapist (ASHT)
Annual Conference-5 days Hollywood, CA 2003
Certified Associate Ergonomic studies through
Oxford Research Institute. Passed exam. Pleasanton, CA 2003
The National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition Annual Conference -5 days LV, NV 2002