News

Jul 20

Now Available: 2021 QA Requirements

The 2021 Quality Assurance (QA) requirements are now available in MyQA. Occupational therapists canlog in to begin their Professional Development (PD) Plan, Self-Assessment (SA) and Prescribed Regulatory Education Program (PREP). This year's PREP is on Ethics and Professionalism. A reminder that the 2021 PREP is due October 31, 2021, as is the SA (for those occupational therapists required to complete one this year). Occupational therapists can access the 2021 PD Plan now and make goals for this registration year. The completed 2021 PD Plan will be due May 31, 2022. Additional information is available on our website and in MyQA....

Jul 15

Updated Directive #3 in Effect July 16, 2021

On July 14, 2021, the Chief medical of Health issued an updated version of Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007. The updated Directive #3 goes into effect July 16, 2021. We recommend occupational therapists communicate with their employers and the long-term care and retirement homes where occupational therapy services are provided to ensure there are processes and procedures in place to comply with Directive 3. If you have any questions, please contact our practice team at...

Jul 12

HPRO Equity and Anti-Racism Survey - Closes July 31, 2021

The Health Professions Regulators of Ontario's Anti-BIPOC Racism Working Group have developed an Equity and Anti-Racism surveyto explore how equity and anti-racism may influence the work of health professions regulators in Ontario. Equity refers to addressing disproportionality between and across different groups while anti-racism refers to an active process of identifying and addressing racial prejudice and discrimination. This survey was designed to explore issues related to equity and anti-racism in the health professions regulatory sector in Ontario. Participation is entirely voluntary and anonymous. No personal identifying...

Jul 12

Update: Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16, 2021

On July 9, 2021, the Ontario government announced the province will be moving into Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021. Learn more about Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16. What this means for occupational therapists There is no impact to the existing delivery of health care services. Occupational therapists and other regulated health professionals continue to operate, consistent with current guidelines for regulated health professionals. View the College's Return to Work Guidance for OTsand visit our dedicated COVID-19 page for resources and information. If you...

Jun 25

June 24th Webinar: All Things Privacy - Information for Regulated Health Professionals

Health lawyer and health privacy expert Kate Dewhirst discusses changes to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), how to prevent and address privacy breaches, the responsibilities of the Health Information Custodian, and answers top privacy questions.

Jun 24

June 24, 2021 Board Meeting Highlights

2020-2021 Leadership Outcomes Outcomes for Year 1 of the 2020-2023 College Leadership Priorities were delivered.View the presentation onlineand learn more about key accomplishments for the College. Committee Competency Framework The Board approved the adoption of the Committee Competency Framework, which will be available later this year. As is the case with the Board, College Committees should be comprised of individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience to discharge their duties effectively. Improving how the College is governed will strengthen our protection of the public and enhance public confidence in the...

Jun 18

June Board Meeting

Our next College Board meeting will be held online on Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Board meetings are open to the public. To reserve a virtual spot, please contact, Andjelina Stanier, Executive Assistant at 1.800.890.6570/416.214.1177 ext. 232 or email astanier@coto.org. View the June 24, 2021 Board meeting packageand...

Jun 8

Update: College Commitment to Anti-Racism

In January 2020, the Board updated the College values to reflect our commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect and supporting equity, diversity and inclusion. We felt it essential that we make clear that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated by the College. We acknowledge the existence of discrimination and systemic racism in our communities and throughout the province and know that we must all work together to do better.As a College, as a profession, as individuals and as society we must all continue to learn how we can better understand and address systemic - and any other form of - racism. We have...

Jun 7

Missing Children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School

The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario extends our deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by the devastating discovery last week of 215 childrenin a mass grave at a residential school in Kamloops. If you need support, you can call the Indian Residential School Survivors Societytoll-free at 1-800-721-0066. If you are feeling distressed or want to talk, the Hope for Wellness Help Linealso offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Call toll-free at 1-855-242-3310 or visit...

Jun 2

Survey on the Standards for Psychotherapy - Complete by July 5th, 2021

We invite all registrants to participate in this survey about their understanding of the Standards for Psychotherapy. Please complete the survey by July 5th, 2021. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/96TFYZX The purpose of the surveyis to gather intelligence from: occupational therapists who support clients with their mental health and wellness, or those who have a curiosity about the role of occupational therapy and psychotherapy. The results will be used to create or revise current resources, which will enhance safe, competent and ethical practice. The Standards for Psychotherapy were first issued in 2010 and revised August...

May 28

New: Information on Virtual Services

Effective June 1st, 2021, occupational therapists registered in other provinces who are providing virtual services to clients in Ontario can do so based on their existing registration in the province they are located. The rules for in-person services are unchanged in that occupational therapists providing in-person services to a client residing in Ontario, must obtain temporary or general registration in Ontario. What does this mean for occupational therapists outside Ontario providing virtual services to clients in Ontario? The College is taking the position that occupational therapy service delivery occurs in the province...

May 26

Update: Use of Social Media Document

We've updated the College's Use of Social Mediadocument. Occupational therapists using social media in their practice will find that the revised Use of Social Media document promotes professionalism, privacy, confidentiality, and professional boundaries. If you have any questions about this document, contact the Practice Resource Service at...

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