September, 2006
- College Communiqués
- Announcement – New College Staff
- Continuing Competence Program Launch
- New Practice Guideline Published
- Change in criteria for eligibility to practice in the USA
- Registration Renewal 2006-2007
- 2006 Annual General Meeting
College Communiqués
These are published by the college to inform both direct and indirect recipients of occupational therapy services of the release of documents, changes in regulation, and college procedures that influence the provision of occupational therapy care in British Columbia.
Announcement – New College Staff
Mary Clark is the college’s first Director of Program Development and Communications. In this role Mary will assist with the development of practice guidelines and other college documents. She has over 20 years of experience in communications and recently completed her Masters in Distance Education. The college is starting to actively use online technologies for its committee work. Introducing this process to other committees and developing online practice resources will be another focus of Mary’s work in the coming year.
Launch of Continuing Competence Program this Summer
One of the mandates of the College under the Health Professions Act is to implement a continuing competency program. The College is launching the first component of its Continuing Competency Program – Self-Assessment Tool and Professional Development Plan. Registrants will receive their information package this summer. This part of the program focuses on competency maintenance and enhancement. Through completion of a self-assessment tool, registrants will reflect on their own application of the essential competencies in practice to determine learning needs, then develop a plan to address areas needing enhancement or improvement. Registrants will have six months to complete their self-assessment and professional development plan. A declaration of completion is required by February 28th, 2007 and a condition prior to renewal or registration. Additional supports will be available to registrants to assist with a successful implementation of this program.
New Practice Guideline Published
A new Practice Guideline titled Collecting, Recording and Protecting Client Information was approved by the Board on January 28, 2006. This practice guideline provided to registrants with the Spring issue of the college newsletter, focuses attention on primary considerations for record keeping from the client perspective.
COTBC practice guidelines are published to assist occupational therapists in meeting the Essential Competencies of Practice. They are designed to increase registrants’ knowledge of their responsibilities; describe expectations for practice; define safe, ethical competent practice; and guide critical thinking for every day practice. In keeping with the college’s commitment to quality improvement, we will be seeking feedback from registrants and other stakeholders about this guideline later this year. Opportunities for discussion through college presentation sessions are available on request.
Change in criteria for eligibility to practice in the USA
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) announced a change in the eligibility criteria for OTR examination candidates effective December 31, 2006. This change affects Canadian and internationally trained occupational therapists who may be considering writing the U.S. exam for OTR certification to practise in the USA. Candidates applying after January 1, 2007 must have graduated from a post-baccalaureate accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NBCOT. Internationally educated occupational therapists who meet current eligibility criteria (approved diploma/baccalaureate degrees) must be approved to take the exam prior to December 31, 2006 and have until December 31, 2007 to become certified as an OTR. Otherwise, individuals will have to meet the new policy requirements. Go to the NBCOT website at www.nbcot.org for more details.
REMINDER - Registration Renewal for 2006-2007
Registration renewal forms will be sent to registrants in May 2006. Registrants are reminded that renewal of registration is due July 1, 2006. Pursuant to the College Bylaws, registrants who fail to renew their registration by July 31, 2006 must be cancelled from the register until registration is reinstated by the Board. This requires a special meeting of the Board. In circumstances where a person has been cancelled from the register, the Registrar contacts the registrant and his/her employer to notify that the registrant is not legally practising and is not able to work until reinstated to the register. It is an offence under the Health Professions Act to practice while not registered. To avoid late fee penalties and cancellation from the register, please be sure to return a complete application, the annual registration fee and other required documentation by the due date. Please note that the College accepts complete renewal applications submitted with a cheque post-dated for July 1, 2006.
Annual General Meeting - Mark Your Calendar
The date for the College's sixth annual general meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2006. The AGM will again be held in conjunction with the meeting of the British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists (BCSOT). As the schedule of activities is confirmed, this information will be updated.
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