ADVANCE Outlook: OT : AOTA

AM-PAC, Evidence-based Practice and the Vision

Jill Glomstad — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:26:00 GMT

Recently, the American Occupational Therapy Association endorsed Boston University's Activity Measure for Post Acute Care (AM-PAC), a tool to measure client outcomes in three categories of function-mobility, daily activities and cognition. The assessment...(read more)

The Slagle Lecture: New Insight into OT's Ongoing Struggle for Recognition

EJ Brown — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:24:00 GMT

I have been studying the history and concept of occupational therapy for the past 21 years, mentored mostly by people like the late Helen Hopkins, the late Gail Fidler, ADVANCE columnist Jane Sorensen, and Texas educator Kitty Reed. The founders' names,...(read more)

Congratulations Are in Order!

Jill Glomstad — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:04:00 GMT

No AOTA Conference is complete without its annual night to celebrate the best, brightest and most dedicated. Last night's awards ceremony honored dozens of OTs who have helped advance the profession through research, practice, education, scholarship,...(read more)

Are You a Spider?

Jill Glomstad — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:12:00 GMT

That was AOTA President Penelope Moyers-Cleveland's question for her audience at the Presidential Address this year. Attendees received spider rings as they entered the hall to hear her speech, and Cleveland took the stage with a red cape that resembled...(read more)

Houston Heats Up

Jill Glomstad — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:53:00 GMT

It's sunny and in the 80s this week in Houston, but its occupational therapists who are really heating up the city as thousands have come from far and wide for AOTA's 89 th annual conference. If you've ever attended an AOTA conference, you know the opening...(read more)

Conference Update: A Speed Bump in the Future of OT Education?

EJ Brown — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:24:00 GMT

It's widely known within the profession that occupational therapy has an education "problem." The issue isn't in the quality of its academics, nor in a lack of program levels or foci. The difficulty that is arising lies in how far and wide the scope of...(read more)

Houston, Here We Come!

Jessica LaGrossa — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:53:00 GMT

The ADVANCE team is packed and ready to head to Houston for the 89th Annual AOTA National Conference! Well, some of us still need to pack, but we are definitely ready for the warm Texas weather and to see all of the friendly, familiar OT faces that we...(read more)

RA Defeats Motions to change board representation, upgrade member feedback options

EJ Brown — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:31:00 GMT

By a vote of 50-1, the Representative Assembly has defeated Motion 5 that would have changed the elective procedure for members of the AOTA Board of Directors to ensure that it included a broad representation of practice areas. It has also turned down...(read more)

RA Passes Consent Agenda, Motions on Re-licensure Model and Internat'l FW Resources

EJ Brown — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:19:00 GMT

The Representative Assembly is in full swing this week, having already voted on several measures and in discussion of several more. The assembly passed the items on Consent Agenda Y, and also voted unanimously to have the Commission on Continuing Competence...(read more)

RA Update: International Fieldwork, Licensure Standards for Re-entry Get Favorable Comments

EJ Brown — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:15:00 GMT

On day 4 of the 2009 Representative Assembly, the body is still awaiting passage of Consent Agenda Y, which recommends defeat of three orginal motions with which task groups (TGs) have replaced some substitute motions. They are: Motion 1 , which would...(read more)

Join the 2009 Representative Assembly

EJ Brown — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The spring RA officially opened yesterday, and role call is continuing. For those of you AOTA members who have never attended the RA at conference, this is a real opportunity to "see" and "hear" your elected reps in action. The meeting is being held on...(read more)

Show Your OT Pride on TV!

Jessica LaGrossa — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:31:00 GMT

Help AOTA spread the word of your profession during OT Month!

Put on your best OT gear, create a bright OT poster/banner and head to the national television morning shows to spread awareness about occupational therapy! Every weekday morning, each of these programs scans the crowd outside several times - a fantastic opportunity for our profession. Remember: Arrive early!

If you let AOTA know your group will be attending, we'll call in advance to notify the producers. Please contact AOTA's media relations manager, Heather Huhman, at praota@aota.org or (301) 652-6611 x 2963 with questions or details about your trip.

Fox & Friends (FOX)
1211 Avenue of the Americas
Lower C1
New York, NY 10036

Good Morning America (ABC)
147 Columbus Avenue
6th Floor
New York, NY 10023

The Early Show (CBS)
524 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

The Today Show (NBC)
30 Rockefeller Plaza
Suite 385-E
New York, NY 10012

Be sure to visit our online shop for OT gear!

Results of the ADVANCE 2009 Survey of Issues Facing State Occupational Therapy Associations

EJ Brown — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:56:00 GMT

State association officers across the country who participated in a recent issues survey told us of myriad challenges they will have this year on two fronts: finding and fighting legislatve encroachment from other disciplines and keeping their own numbers up and their coffers full.

The cover story in our March 2 edition focuses on the details of these issues, some of which are new challenges from unlikely places. Many are continuing battles that have become turf wars over reimbursement as much as scope of practice.

Thirty percent of the 50 states responded to the online questionnaire, sent out in January. Virtually two-thirds of those respondents said they were monitoring or fighting athletic trainers' associations attempting to gain licensure for their profession to practice as rehab providers. Some are trying to change the definition of "athlete" to "anyone who is active" in order to claim status as a rehab provider. Vermont has already passed a law forcing insurance companies to pay ATs for such work. In many states OT associations, working with PT and speech-language pathology, have held fast the gate in initial encounters, but every year the task becomes harder. Meanwhile, recreation therapists are also pushing to be recognized as using "life activities" as tools and goals in their work, taking it beyond the leisure arena. In some places pediatric occupational therapists are losing Medicaid reimbursement.

States evaluated their goals for 2009, many wanting to work on member recruitment, retention and leadership training as well as increasing continuing education offerings. Ten percent of respondants were also in the process of trying to upgrade their practice acts to reflect
AOTA's model act.

Even when smaller states maintain a 50-percent enrollment, they don't have enough to hire legislative watchdogs. Staying informed becomes an overwhelming task. Most states still have only a 10- to 30-percent membership enrollment. To find out what you can do to help your state association, read Jill Glomstad's March 2 cover, available this week in the print and digital editions. Also look for an upcoming audio interview with an experienced OT lobbyist who will give her advice on how smaller states can keep up with legislative challenges and initiatives.

AOTA Board & Specialty Certification: Why & How

Jessica LaGrossa — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:14:00 GMT

This afternoon I attended AOTA's presentation on board and specialty certification by Pamela Roberts, PhD, OTR/L, SCFES, CPHQ, FAOTA; Winifred Schultz-Krohn, PhD, OTR/L, SWC, BCP, FAOTA; and Deborah Pitts, MBA, OTR/L, CPRP.

It is an area that can be confusing and intimidating to occupational therapists. Most of those in attendance have been in practice for 10 years or less and are in the beginning stages of investigating the possibilities specialty certification.

Many OTs wonder, "Why should I seek out AOTA certification?" Good question! The presenters explained that the current practice environment requires more and more that OTs be able to communicate the immediate effectiveness of interventions and demonstrate continuous professional growth. AOTA board and specialty certification provides formal recognition for practitioners who have engaged in a voluntary process of ongoing professional development and gain improved client outcomes.

Clinicians may seek out specialty certification for personal accomplishment, professional recognition, and/or advancement.

And, as an added bonus, one of the presenters pointed out that some organizations will give a bump in salary as long as you maintain your specialty certification!

So, now that you know why it can be as asset to seek AOTA certifications, you must figure out what you should specialize in.

Areas of board certification:

Gerontology (BCG)
Mental Health (BCMH)
Pediatrics (BCP)
Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR)

Areas of specialty certification:

Driving and Community Mobility (OT: SCDCM; OTR: SCADCM)
Environmental Modification (OT: SCEM; OTR: SCAEM)
Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing (OT: SCFES; OTR: SCAFES)
Low Vision (OT: SCLV; OTR: SCALV)

"You will earn letters to go after your name, and no one will know what they mean," pointed out a Schultz-Krohn, "so you will have to tell them. So it's a great opportunity to educate others!"

Now, here are the basic requirements...

Minimal Initial Requirements for Board Certification:

5 years as an OT
5,000 hour experience in OT in certification area in the last 7 calendar years
500 hours experience direct delivery of OT services in the certification area in the last 5 calendar years

Minimum Initial Requirements for Specialty Certification:

2,000 hours as an OT or OTA
600 hours experience in the last 5 calendar years of direct delivery of OT services in the specific specialty area

Criteria (used to be called indicators) required to meet each competency are based on the Standards for Continuing Competence and identify the:

knowledge
critical reasoning
interpersonal skills
performance skills
ethical reasoning

The application process is based on peer-review and includes demonstration of relevant experience, a reflective portfolio and ongoing professional development.

Demonstration of relevant experience can be proven via employee verification forms. You may have as many forms as many different employers as needed to document the required hours. Volunteer service delivery may also be included. (this is a form that you fill out)

Your reflective portfolio must include physical evidence verifying and supporting the professional development activities that you submit to demonstrate achievement of he competencies and their criteria. It should also include one reflection for each competency that describes how the activities demonstrate how you meet the competency and criteria; influenced the way you practice; and affected the outcomes your clients had.

"A portfolio was chosen rather than a test because individuals can test at a high level, but may not be practicing at a broad level," explained Schultz-Krohn.

Hints to creating a portfolio:

collect evidence of participation in professional development that best demonstrates how you meet the competencies and criterion
make sure all required evidence is included
write a reflection for each competency

Ongoing professional development includes a self-assessment in which you must describe your current practice in relation to the certification and how you envision your practice area changing in the future as well as what you have discovered that you want to learn more about in relation to the competencies. In addition, this section includes a professional development plan in which you establish 1 measurable goal for each of the Standards for Continuing Competencies.

"This is your chance to express what will best help you and your clients," Schultz-Krohn said of the reflective portfolio. "It is a treatment plan for yourself."

And as far as being overwhelmed by the process, Pitts told attendees, "It is important to remember that the work that you do to meet NBCOT, board certification, state licensing, etc requirements is the same work...the same activity that allows you to meet all of these criteria can be presented to all these different venues. You are already doing all of this."

The presenters provided some pointers for attendees for pulling together evidence.

Evidence Do's:

have at least 1 activity for every criterion and competency
ensure that all evidence is relevant to the assigned criterion and competency
include a minimum of 5 activity categories across the competencies
label, label, label your evidence

Evidence Don'ts:

don't use a single activity for more than 4 different criterion
don't give a single piece of evidence more than 1 label when entering it in the application (for example, a "presentation" can not also be a "program development)
don't include an excessive amount of evidence

The persenters also suggested to "focus" when getting started!

F.O.C.U.S.:

F: frame the context of the competency and each criterion by reading the client outcome

O: objectify thoughts by identifying key words

C: clarify key words by using the application glossary and the OT Practice Framework

U: unmask personal biases and put them aside so they don't inappropriately influence your interpretation

S: summarize and synthesize your interpretation of the competency and the criteria by validating them against each other.

Now, are you interested in becoming board or specialty certified by AOTA? If so, applications may be submitted in either June or December of each year and are peer reviewed by 2 or more trained reviewers who are also AOTA Board or Specialty certified. Certifications are renewed every 5 years. The first renewal cycle requires a full peer review of a reduced application (2 indicators per competency); all other renewals are by random audit.

Please note that there are upcoming changes for 2009: (effective June 2009 submissions)

Competencies and criteria will be reduced and streamlined so that there is a are 4-6 competencies for each certification and between 28-32 indicators.
A reduced number of narrative reflections, from 13 to no more than 6.
Special certification will do a self-assessment and professional development plan.

If you have additional questions (and I totally understand if you do!) you can use the following contact infomation:

www.aota.org/certification

prodev@aota.org

1-800-SAY-AOTA ext. 2838

Occupational Therapy. Living Life to Its Fullest

EJ Brown — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:45:00 GMT

When we walked into the RA meeting last Wednesday in Long Beach, the assembly was about to close its doors in executive session. In 15 years of covering the Representative Assembly, I had never heard of a closed-door session in task group preparation. All that usually entails is assigning delegates to the particular committees that will discuss the pros and cons of motions that will come before the body later, to make a recommendation that the group can either accept or reject.

As we were courteously escorted out of the room, along with everyone else who was not officially involved with the RA, I asked what was going on. (Reporters hate executive sessions. They are usually about keeping secrets the press thinks should not be kept.) So I was surprised when someone told me it had to do with an announcement that AOTA President Penny Moyers Cleveland was going to make in her presidential address on Friday. Something about a new "branding" the association was undertaking. It was meant to be an unveiling of some kind. So, ADVANCE waited, along with everyone else.

When the big day came, we learned that AOTA had adopted a new slogan, the first in more than 10 years, as I remember, that was meant to make the concept of OT "click" in the minds of the public: "Occupational Therapy. Living Life to Its Fullest."

The slogan supersedes "Occupational Therapy. Skills for the Job of Living." It is meant to associate OT in the public mindset with more than just function. Fulfillment is now the goal. The new brand is more in keeping with the context of occupational science, which sees "doing" as a first principle of human existence; that is, it is the nature of people to be active during their waking hours in activities and roles of their choosing that have meaning to them, personally. OT's job is to help them make healthy choices and undertake activities that lead to personal satisfaction in their lives.

In this context, occupational therapy goes beyond the clinic and the classroom. It goes to a lifestyle that involves a healing connection with others through participation, in all aspects of one's life.

All of this, of course, is to help set OT up for achieving the Centennial Vision, a practice model that AOTA wants to see the profession achieve by 2017. It is an undertaking that has consumed AOTA's time and resources for more than 5 years. And it means, as Cleveland states, that every OT and OTA out there needs to develop an "attitude of unreasonableness."

By that she means that you are not going to take no for an answer in any situation that is critical to your patient's welfare or your profession's future. You will need to know your stuff and be willing to go out on a limb to make what needs to happen, happen.

"We will be knocking on big doors," Cleveland told her audience. "These doors will not open by themselves, therefore we will knock loudly. We cannot practice business as usual. Knocking on these doors will take some of us out of our comfort zones."

Knocking on these big doors "means that many of us have to step up into leadership roles in our profession and in society."

Rather than looking up to our heroes, she added, "we would benefit more by looking into them, emulating them. If each one of us does our part, then many of these doors will open."

The doors she describes are the power brokers of other organizations whom OT needs to convince of its value. They include professional and consumer organizations whose goals and approaches to health intersect with ours. The doors are also those belonging to state and federal lawmakers and administrators who have the power to put us on solid footing.

In the past few years, AOTA has partnered with several such organizations in mental health and services for the aging, in particular. It will continue to pursue such partnerships. The national association is also partnering with the National Institutes of Health to revise its research agenda along the lines of national priorities in societal health issues.

"Your leadership story might be to promote the value of OT each and every time you encounter a new client and his or her family," Cleveland said of OT and OT practitioners, "reinforcing what you are bringing in terms of your knowledge, perspective and skills and most importantly, how those differ from the other professionals providing services to this client...your strategy might be to make sure your colleagues really know and understand OT...

"When OT says the impossible is possible, we are helping people live life to its fullest. We go forward with the message that living life and occupational therapy are inextricably intertwined."