Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 68 Occupational Therapy Professional Organizations Shawn Phipps, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Learning Objectives After reading this chapter, you will be able to: 1.Describe the importance of lifelong membership and participation in OT professional organizations. 2.Understand the structure and function of state, national, and international OT professional organizations. 3.Describe the roles of NBCOT and state regulatory boards in the licensing, regulation, and credentialing of OT practitioners in the United States.

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Learning Objectives (Continued) 4.Understand how professional and regulatory organizations serve the consumers of OT through standard setting and education. 5.Appreciate the roles that both volunteer and paid staff members in professional organizations play in developing and supporting all aspects of the OT profession and the clients served by its members.

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Purpose of Professional Organizations Seek to further the: (a) profession, (b) interests of professionals, and (c) public interest by building a strong community that has power in numbers Collectively advance the profession in a way that cannot be achieved by an individual efforts Unite the profession around shared mission and vision Develop strategic initiatives to achieve the vision Advance the practice of OT

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Purpose of Professional Organizations (Continued) Safeguard the public interest Provide opportunities for professional networking Represent the interests of students & practitioners through: –legislative advocacy; and –public promotion of the profession

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Importance of Lifelong Membership Access to knowledge, networks, and resources that can advance professional careers Employers value membership in professional associations. It demonstrates individual’s: (a) dedication, (b) commitment, and (c) professionalism Builds leadership capacity and interconnected collegial networks Opportunity for the lifelong exchange of ideas and a forum for discourse on: (a) the direction of OT (b) education, (c) practice, and (d) research

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Importance of Lifelong Membership (Continued) Higher standards of professionalism through professional development activities, conferences, adherence to core values, and the profession’s code of ethics Broadening of the OT scope of practice and the scientific body of knowledge Socialization of students and practitioners through guided interactions with mentors and professional peers “Members only” access to publications, resources, conferences, online communities, and professional development opportunities

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) National OT professional organization in the United States Incorporated in 1917 as the Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy in New York On behalf of OTs and clients, AOTA is responsible for: –guiding and developing professional standards; –professional development; and –advocacy of stakeholders

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (Continued) Members and volunteer leaders are the “bosses” and supported by staff employed by AOTA Members and volunteers are responsible for: –developing and refining AOTA’s mission and vision; –practice standards; –professional development; and –a code of ethics

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association Board of Directors –Legal and financial responsibility for AOTA’s strategic direction and business operations –President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer Representative Assembly –“Congress” of the OT profession that is responsible for setting policy for AOTA and the profession Commissions –Develop guidelines for practice, education, ethics, and professional development

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association Special Interest Sections –Grassroots network of AOTA members representing a variety of practice areas and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas Assembly of Student Delegates –Provides a platform for students to share their perspectives on student issues that affect the profession of OT

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) –Develops, implements, and monitors standards for all OT and OT Assistant educational programs through accreditation

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association AOTA Staff –Includes OT practitioners, attorneys, accountants, policy specialists, and administrative personnel –Organize conferences, continuing education, professional development, publications, and gather data that provides evidence for OT practice –Publish AJOT & OT Practice

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Association American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) –Fundraises and provides financial support to political candidates that support OT through private donations from AOTA members

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Affiliated State Associations OT state associations are independent, but affiliated with AOTA Serve the local and regional needs of OT practitioners Work to advocate for legislation that improves access to OT services at the state level Each state president is a member of the Affiliated State Association Presidents, supporting close synergy among state and federal activities

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins State Regulatory Boards OT is licensed or regulated in all states Focus on consumer protection Practice acts define the legal scope of practice for OTs at the state level After passing the NBCOT certification examination practitioners can apply for a state license or certificate to practice

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Nonprofit organization that advances practice, education, research, and public awareness of OT Financially supported through private donations Publishes the Occupational Therapy Journal of Research: Occupation, Participation and Health (OTJR) Maintains the Wilma West Library Supports students and scholars through educational scholarships and research grants

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Credentialing body for OT and OT Assistants practicing in the United States Develops and administers the initial certification examinations after the completion of Level II fieldwork Passing score is required to obtain a state license or certificate to practice International OT practitioners must also pass the NBCOT examination in order to practice in the United States

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Established in 1952 as the official international organization for the promotion of occupational therapy Over 70 member countries around the world Over 6,000 individual members, representing over 160,000 OT practitioners worldwide Official partner with the World Health Organization (WHO) Recognized as a nonprofit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) by the United Nations (UN)

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) (Continued) Advances international standards for OT practice, education, and research Promotes international cooperation for over 70 national OT national associations Coordinates with other international allied health organizations Supports the development of educational programs relevant to each country’s cultural uniqueness Publishes the WFOT Bulletin 2 times per year Organizes the WFOT Congress every 4 years

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) (Continued) Occupational Therapy International Outreach Network (OTION) –Provides volunteer and work opportunities for OT students and practitioners interested in international practice –Provides a forum for partnerships between OT practitioners in resource-rich countries serving person with disabilities in resource-poor countries

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Conclusion OT professional organizations offer the opportunity to collectively advance the profession in a way that cannot be achieved by an individual student or practitioner alone Non-profit organizations seeking to advance OT practice, education, and research Lifelong membership and participation in local, state, national, and international OT professional organizations is critical for advancing the OT profession worldwide

Copyright © 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Websites American Occupational Therapy Association – American Occupational Therapy Foundation – National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy – World Federation of Occupational Therapists –