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Q&As

Have a question about practising as an occupational therapist in Ontario? See the answers to some of your commonly asked questions.

Q&As

Including Forms and Other Documents in the Record

Question: Should forms or other documents (for example, standardized assessment forms, funding applications or vendor quotes) be included in the clinical record? Answer: As outlined in the College’s…
Q&As

Why Should I Consider Taking an Occupational Therapy Student?

Question: Why should I consider taking an occupational therapy student? Answer: You are investing in the future of occupational therapy. Occupational therapists play a vital role in shaping…
Q&As

Record Keeping Considerations for Employers

Occupational therapists are responsible for keeping detailed records about their clients' care. These records are legal documents and are very important for ensuring clients receive safe, ethical, and…
Q&As

Delegation of Controlled Acts

Question: Are occupational therapists permitted to delegate any controlled acts to others? Answer: No, occupational therapists are not permitted to delegate controlled acts to others. There are 14…
Q&As

Documentation after leaving employment

Question: Do I need to respond to questions or requests about past clinical records if I have already left my place of employment? Answer: Yes, as regulated health…
Practice Guidance

What Should Occupational Therapists Consider if Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Practice?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to various technologies designed to simulate human thinking and learning. AI works by collecting information and using algorithms to learn, predict and make decisions….
FR
Q&As

Gift Giving

Question: Can I accept a gift from my client? Answer: A reminder to occupational therapists about gift giving. As the holiday season approaches, occupational therapists may start receiving…
Q&As

Client is Driving With a Suspended License

Question: My client, whose driver’s license was medically suspended, revealed that he has been driving. Do I need to report this to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)? Answer:…
Q&As

Surveillance and Occupational Therapy Practice

Increasingly, third parties are asking occupational therapists to review surveillance material and render a professional opinion as part of their assessment, independent medical examination or paper review. Surveillance…
FR
Q&As

Discretionary Reporting

Interprofessional Reporting Question: In some settings, an organization may decide who should report a client to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). If the organization decides that…
FR
Q&As

Use of Externs in Occupational Therapy

Question: Who are clinical externs? Answer: As described in the Ministry of Health’s document Enhanced Extern Program Guide 4.0 October 2021 (oha.com), “externs are clinical learners who are…
Q&As

Advertising with Testimonials and Google Reviews 

Question: I understand that client testimonials are not allowed when advertising occupational therapy services, but what about Google reviews? Answer: Occupational therapists are required to follow the Ontario…
Q&As

Defining Psychotherapy in Occupational Therapy Practice

The College has received questions from occupational therapists about the Standard for Psychotherapy, 2023. This Psychotherapy Q&A resource was developed in consultation with the College’s Practice Subcommittee and…
Q&As

Managing Unavoidable Conflicts of Interest

Question: I live in a smaller community and work as the only occupational therapist at the primary health team clinic. Sometimes I am asked to see a client…
Q&As

Provisional Registration and Psychotherapy

Question: I hold a provisional registration certificate. Can I practice psychotherapy? Answer: The Standard for Psychotherapy, 2023 (coto.org) states that an occupational therapist must hold a general certificate…
Q&As

Consent for Occupational Therapy Service in Schools 

Occupational therapists working in schools may be delivering service under different models of care depending on factors such as employer, location, and funding source. The College often receives…
Q&As

Standards of Practice Webinar Q&A

On May 2, 2023, the College presented a webinar on the updated Standards of Practice. The following questions from the webinar were received, and general responses are provided…
Q&As

Occupational therapy billing practices

Occupational therapists are expected to: Engage in fair, equitable and transparent billing practices. Communicate any fees and related information upfront to the client. Follow the requirements set out…
Q&As

Co-signing Occupational Therapist Assistants’ Documentation

Question: Am I required to co-sign the occupational therapist assistant's (OTA) documentation?Answer: No. However, an occupational therapist must review their OTA's documentation as part of the communication and…
Q&As

The College’s public register

Question: What is the purpose of the College’s public register? Answer: The Ontario government requires all regulatory colleges in the province to maintain a public register. The College’s…
Q&As

Client wants to make a complaint to the College

Question: What should I do if my client tells me they want to make a complaint to the College? Answer: If a concern or issue arises during or…
Q&As

Updating your information

Question: What are the consequences of not updating my information with the College? Answer: If you have not updated your information within the required timeframe and this is…
Q&As

Termination of Employment

Question: What should I expect when I have been terminated from my employer?Answer: If you have been terminated, your employer may have informed the College. A report by…
Q&As

Suspected abuse or neglect of an adult client with a developmental disability

Question: If my client is an adult with a developmental disability and I suspect abuse or neglect, where do I report my concerns?Answer: Occupational therapists can contact ReportON…
Q&As

Co-signing provisional occupational therapists’ documentation

Question: Do provisional occupational therapists need their notes co-signed?Answer: No, co-signing of documentation is not required. Although provisional occupational therapists must have a supervisor, provisional occupational therapists are…
Q&As

Frequency of documentation in the clinical record

Question: How often should an occupational therapist be documenting in the clinical record?Answer: It depends. Using clinical judgement is important in determining the frequency of your documentation. How…
Q&As

Disclosing Personal Health Information

Question: When can personal health information be disclosed without consent? Answer: Maintaining the confidentiality of all clients’ personal health information (PHI) is extremely important. Clients have the right…
Q&As

Am I Practising?

Question: I am an occupational therapist who has moved into a new role. The job title is not occupational therapist. How do I know if I am practising…
Q&As

Appointment Book for Clinical Sessions

Question: Do I have to keep the appointment book that I use to book clinical sessions? Answer: No. If the information is adequately summarized in the clinical record,…
Q&As

Documentation of Deceased Clients

Question: I have been notified that my client has passed away. What are my documentation obligations? Answer: After documenting in the client’s record the date and individual providing…

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