MCFD Paediatric info sessions

The Government of BC has announced a series of information sessions for families, service providers and sector partners over the coming weeks. The content of the discussion will center on the October 27th announcement of family connection hubs. Visit the website to register.

Information sessions will be held on the following dates. 

Information sessions for families

November 29, 2021
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST)

December 1, 2021
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm PST

December 4, 2021
9:00 pm to 10:30 am PST

Information sessions for service providers

November 29, 2021
9:00 am to 11:00 am PST

December 3, 2021
11:00 am to 1:00 pm PST

December 3, 2021
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm PST

Information sessions for sector partners

December 2, 2021
10:00 am to 12:00 pm PST

CAOT and CAOT-BC Applauds Initial Plans for Expansion of OT Training Program in BC

Re: Occupational and physical therapy seats coming to northern B.C.

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists -BC Chapter (CAOT-BC) is thrilled with the BC Government announcement of funding for 24 new occupational therapy training seats in BC. The province is providing $1.1 million to expand the UBC Master of Occupational Therapy program to the north in partnership with UNBC with 16 students ready to be accepted in September 2022. Eight seats have also been added to the UBC Vancouver program starting in September 2020.

This is a time to celebrate that the longstanding provincial shortage of occupational therapists is being addressed by this government. Increasing the number of occupational therapy seats at UBC and UNBC will enable more British Columbians to train closer to home and, in turn work closer to their home communities. This is especially welcome news for people living in the North, one of two regions in BC where residents have had an increasingly difficult time accessing the vital health services occupational therapists provide over the past years. Expansion in this underserved area of the province will help the students that live there study close to home and then work locally.

This has been a key advocacy issue for CAOT-BC for more than a decade. Catherine Backman, President of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists says “this announcement is important to improving access to occupational therapy for British Columbians, and for BC students to study and work closer to home.” The BC Board member for CAOT, Giovanna Boniface, states “there has been a steady increase in demand for occupational therapy over the past decade. The increase in British Columbia-based training is a step in the right direction to increase access to vital occupational therapy services in underserved regions including the north and Fraser Valley.”

These 24 training seats are an important step towards addressing our workforce shortage, but more work is necessary to improve access to services for all regions of the province, including the underserved Fraser Valley. CAOT-BC will continue to work with the government to ensure our workforce keeps pace with the growing demand for services and the need to train our bright future students here at home.  

About Occupational Therapy

OTs are regulated health professionals that improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians by creating client-centred solutions that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. OTs work as valued members in health teams that support people with a variety of physical, mental, or cognitive conditions in their homes, communities, hospitals, workplaces, and schools. Occupational therapy interventions improve lives and save money across the age span in all aspects of society. By considering the individual in his or her environments, an OT is able to determine the skills required to maximize an individual’s potential to participate and thrive in their daily lives.

Contact:

Tanya Fawkes-Kirby
Managing Director, CAOT-BC
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
1-800-434-2268 ext. 265
tfkirby@caot.ca

#OT365

Announcement from the Canadian IDDSI Expert Reference Group

Canadian IDDSI Expert Reference Group formed in preparation for January 1, 2019 launch of IDDSI in Canada

Canada is in the preparation stage of implementing the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework in healthcare facilities and community settings across the country. Although we know that implementation of IDDSI is critical for optimizing safety and nutrition care for those living with dysphagia, we recognize that the implementation process is complex. Following the direction of many other countries, Canadian practitioners felt it was important to convene an expert reference group to guide and support IDDSI implementation here in Canada.

We are pleased to announce the formation of the Canadian IDDSI Expert Reference Group (CIERG), a group of dedicated volunteer professionals from across Canada. Together with Canadian representatives from the International IDDSI board, this group will promote, monitor, support, advocate and communicate recommendations for implementation of the IDDSI framework within Canadian organizations and industry.

Read full announcement

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Interim board member appointed for British Columbia

CAOT-BC welcomes back Giovanna Boniface as interim board director for BC, effective immediately, and with a term ending September 30^th 2019. Giovanna is well-known to BC's occupational therapy community, as our former CAOT-BC Managing Director and National Director of Professional Affairs, and will bring her considerable knowledge and depth of experience to the board table. 

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CAOT-BC Announcement

CAOT-BC is pleased to welcome Tanya Fawkes-Kirby as the new BC Managing Director!

Tanya has worked as an OT since graduating from UBC’s first MOT class in 2006. She has worked in both public and private practice areas, including community-based spinal cord injury rehab, brain injury rehab, and complex multi-injury rehab planning and case management. Tanya currently works in her own practice focused on providing environmental adaptations in peoples living spaces to improve accessibility and functioning in her clients’ daily lives. She also provides Cost of Future Care Assessments through her practice and has been qualified as an expert in occupational therapy for the purpose of Life Care Planning in the Provincial Court of BC.

Tanya is an active volunteer for CAOT-BC and has enjoyed actively participating in subcommittees and working groups with the Private Practice Business Network over the years. She is excited to represent and collaborate with occupational therapists in our province to advance practice, improve awareness, and increase access to occupational therapy in British Columbia.

Tanya has started her role effective October 29^th. Her days of work are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and she can be reached at tfkirby@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268 ext 265. 

#OT365

CAOT-BC Announcement

It is with sadness and gratitude that CAOT-BC announces Giovanna Boniface’s departure as Managing Director of CAOT-BC and National Director of Professional Affairs, effective July 12, 2018.

Since 2012, Giovanna has played a critical role in the growth and success of CAOT-BC, and the development of the chapter model and the National Director of Professional Affairs portfolio. Under Giovanna’s leadership, CAOT-BC has become a well respected, influential and prominent allied health organization in BC.

CAOT thanks Giovanna for her 6.5 years of dedicated service and significant accomplishments. She will be missed by staff, members, stakeholders and community partners. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours. Sarah Charles, CAOT-BC Service Coordinator, will serve as the main point of contact during the transition to a new Managing Director, scharles@caot.ca.

Recruitment for the CAOT-BC Managing Director role is underway, with a closing date of July 31, 2018.

If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please contact Janet Craik, CAOT Executive Director, jcraik@caot.ca

#OT365

BC Citation Award Winners: Motion Specialties & Roy Grieve

The purpose of the BC Citation Award is to acknowledge the contribution or accomplishment to the health and well-being of British Columbians of an agency, program or individual, who is not an occupational therapist.

CAOT-BC is pleased to announce the 2017 Citation Award Winners for BC: Motion Specialties and Roy Grieve! 

Motion Specialties 

Since 2015, Motion Specialties has partnered with CAOT-BC as a host venue for regional CAOT-BC Networking & Education Days. In addition to providing an in-kind venue, Motion Specialties has organized sponsorship for the event to support the costs of refreshments, audio-visual needs as well as other logistical requirements.

As a result of this support, CAOT-BC has been able to target revenues from these events to public awareness activities. 

Now run three times at the Burnaby location, Motion Specialties and their dedicated staff have helped make each event a success. 

Roy Grieve

Roy works at Creative Mobility Products in Kelowna, and is well known by local occupational therapists. In his nomination, Roy was described as: 

“[A] tattooed, ball cap-sporting friendly fellow, always with a Tim Horton’s coffee somewhere in sight…Upon receiving a work order, he makes sure to call the clinician, just to communicate that he is headed out on the job and clarify anything ambiguous. …He knows all the OTs, Physios and nurses by name. In the home, Roy is an expert at efficiently setting up beds, lifts, poles and the like. …If anything goes wrong, Roy is immediately on the scene to trouble-shoot, repair, replace and/or service his clients in whatever is needed.…Roy is the most persistently grateful, humble, and dedicated employee I have ever met.” 

Congratulations to the award winners, and a big thank you for your contributions and support!

#OT365

A message to registrants of the upcoming DMJOT Course

After the recent tragedy of losing our dear colleague Dianna Mah-Jones, we would like to let you know that the following course will go ahead:

Manual Therapy Strategies for the Adult Neurological

Population: Upper Quadrant

Teresa Siebold B.H.Sc.PT, B.Sc., NDTATM PT Instructor

October 21 & 22, 2017 in Vancouver

Please confirm your registration with Melissa Austin:

Phone: 604-862-1689      

E-mail: Melissa.Austin@vch.ca

Tragic loss of an esteemed colleague

With heavy hearts we share the news of the tragic passing of one of our own, Dianna Mah-Jones and her husband Richard Jones. 

Our deepest sympathies go to her family, friends and colleagues. Dianna was a significant contributor to the occupational therapy community. She touched the lives of many in her roles as mentor, educator, and leader, to name a few.

In 2015 she was named the CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year and was recently honored as the VCH and Provincial Health Care Hero in June 2017. Dianna will be missed dearly.

A Message from CAOT-BC

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe that on October 1, 2016 CAOT-BC will be celebrating its fifth birthday. We have come a long way and have a lot to celebrate and even more to look forward to.

Firstly, we must start by thanking all of our members for their continued support. Our association’s strength and continued growth stems from the tremendous work, dedication and tireless efforts of many volunteers and staff. We couldn’t do it without each and every one of them.

This past year was very productive for CAOT-BC with focused efforts and resources on key areas  including- public awareness, promotion and representation of the profession and building member services.

Working with The Pace Group, a three phase public awareness campaign was fully implemented including development of a key message, engagement with government and media and finally, an occupational therapy day held at the BC legislature on May 12, 2016. Over the course of this campaign, CAOT-BC met directly with 4 Ministries, 40 MLAs and an additional 10 MLA representatives. In addition, CAOT-BC has made presentations to the Premier’s Office, Seniors Advocate, MP Mark Warawa, Ministry of Advanced Education, Minister of Children and Family Development, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation, Ministry of Health and most recently, the Select Standing Committee on Health. CAOT-BC will build on key learnings from these activities and continue government relations efforts with the goals of raising awareness about the unique contributions of our profession to health and well-being and ensuring that British Columbians have access to occupational therapy when they need it.

This past year we have enhanced BC member services and resources even further. Most notably, CAOT-BC joined the electronic health library of BC (e-HLbc ). This means that our network has access to evidence at their fingertips—access to over 12 million bibliographic citations and abstracts for 6,148 journals and 5,100 full text journals. We have also added other exclusive benefits including discounted tickets to sporting events (Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Giants), Playland and the PNE as well as Broadway Across Canada shows.

Another notable activity was the launch of Talk to an OT events during OT month 2015. These events paired volunteer occupational therapists with retail home medical equipment stores and pharmacies across the province to host in-store education clinics. Going forward, we will continue to build on this successful model to raise awareness about occupational therapy at the community level.

CAOT-BC also offers many other province-specific benefits including:

• Regional and practice-specific representation via the Advisory Committee
• CAOT-BC website and CAOT-BC blog
• BC-specific monthly newsletter (OTalk BC)
• Free access to twelve (12) special interest groups

Some of our activity highlights over the past year included:

• CAOT-BC  team expansion with the addition of Sarah Slocombe as Service Coordinator
• Implementation of the CAOT-BC Public Awareness Campaign (including preparing a key message, engagement in media, public and government relations)
• Hosting two (2) CarFit training sessions and check-up events
• Publication of the CAOT-BC Private Practice Fee Survey (2015)
• Provision of three (3) grants to members presenting research via the CAOT-BC Research and Education Grant
• Announcement of the CAOT-BC Occupational Therapist of the Year award—Congratulations to Patricia Erlendson!
• Special interest group growth to twelve (12) practice areas--our newest network has a focus on Chronic Pain
• Hosting our 3^rd  UBC MOTII student fieldwork placement
• Hosting two (2) Networking & Education days
• Submitting a written and verbal response to the Ministry of Health policy papers and call invitation to present to the Select Standing Committee on Health
• CAOT-BC representation at over 40 events (consumer, inter-professional, intra-professional) either as an invited presenter, to host a promotional booth or both
• Participation in committees , task groups and other meetings including: BC Continuing Care Collaborative, Health Sciences Association, Driver Fitness Advisory Group (BC), BC OT Workforce Collaborative, Pediatric Occupational Therapy Council, OT Aboriginal Health Network,  Shared Services BC, Alliance of Canadian Occupational Therapy Professional Associations and the BC Healthy Living Alliance

Looking forward to our next year, CAOT-BC will continue work diligently to represent the interests of occupational therapists, promote the profession and increase engagement with the BC occupational therapy community. Renewing or starting your CAOT-BC membership is worth it now more than ever. With access to professional development, group affinity programs, insurance coverage for your practice and member exclusives such as the Find an OT online directory and FREE WFOT membership, membership saves you money. Join over 1400 of your colleagues and gain access to the wealth of resources, support and opportunities offered by your professional association. Learn more at www.caot.ca  or email caotbc@caot.ca.

We must continue to work hard to raise the profile of the profession so that it is understood that occupational therapy is vital to the healthcare system. This task is not an easy one, but working together as a team I am confident that we can achieve our vision that OT is valued and accessible across the province.

Sincerely,

Giovanna Boniface, OT, CCLCP

Managing Director of CAOT-BC /Directrice de l'ACE-CB

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists / Association Canadienne des Ergothérapeutes

l’Université de Sherbrooke MOT program now accepting Canadian non Quebec residents!

l’Université de Sherbrooke MOT program is now accepting Canadian non Quebec residents (university students that have completed 75 credits, with a GPA of a minimum of 3.0 and who have successfully completed a French exam).

Learn more about criteria for admission of Canadian students that are non Quebec residents here:

http://www.usherbrooke.ca/readaptation/admission/maitrise-en-ergotherapie-baccalaureat-maitrise-integre/contingent-autres-provinces-canadiennes-que-le-quebec-categorie-universitaire/

#OT365

Chris Courtney Award- 2014 Recipient

CAOT-BC would like to congratulate the 2014 recipient of the Chris Courtney Award, Liza Hart, from Bulkley Lodge in Smithers, BC.

The Chris Courtney award, originating with the British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists and maintained by UBC, recognizes the commitment of fieldwork educators across British Columbia.  The award was established in memory of Chris Courtney, who passed away suddenly in 1996. 

Chris was an Occupational Therapist who was passionate about continuing education and giving back to the profession. She was a champion of student education and was described by Occupational Therapy students as an excellent fieldwork educator.  The Chris Courtney Award for Excellence in Fieldwork Supervision recognizes at least one Occupational Therapist per year who demonstrates excellence in, and commitment to, the clinical education of Occupational Therapy students.  Fieldwork educators are nominated based on the following criteria:

• Provided supervision to  one or more students during a fieldwork placement in the 2 years prior to nomination;
• Created an environment that fostered trust, respect and valued learning;
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for student education;
• Utilized effective communication skills including feedback;
• Utilized effective teaching strategies;
• Demonstrated a willingness to educate students (educated more than 1 at a time, accepted multiple placements per year, or took students from other parts of Canada)

NOTCE Exam Registration Now Open

Attention new graduates in Occupational Therapy! Registration for The National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE) is now open. 

If you are eligible to write the NOTCE, you may register online or by downloading the registration form from www.caot.ca/exam for more information.

Registration closes on September 15, 2014.

Questions? Contact Ryan McGovern (Exam Services Administrator) at exam@caot.ca or at 1-800-434-2268 x235.

Happy Canada Day from CAOT-BC

CAOT-BC 2013 Outstanding OT of the Year

CAOT-BC is pleased to announce that Sarabjeet Charchun received the CAOT-BC Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year Award for 2013.

Left to Right: Paulette Guitard (CAOT President), Mary Glasgow-Brown (CAOT-BC Advisory Committee Chair)

This award was announced by CAOT-BC Advisory Committee Chair, Mary Glasgow-Brown and CAOT President Paulette Guitard at the CAOT Conference in Victoria on May 31, 2013.

Sarabjeet Charchun (CAOT-BC Outstanding OT of the Year)

The full awards presentation including a presentation by Sarabjeet will take place in the Fall of 2013. Details of this event will be circulated via the CAOT-BC e-News and CAOT-Blog, so stay tuned.

Left to Right: Sarabjeet Charchun, Giovanna Boniface (Managing Director, CAOT-BC)

Join CAOT-BC in congratulating Sarabjeet in this well deserved achievement! Please feel free to send Sarabjeet a message via the comment feature of this blog post. 

In Memoriam: Rella Mary Meston

 

Rella Mary Meston
May 7, 1957 – April 12, 2013 

The occupational therapy community is mourning the loss of an esteemed colleague and dear friend, Rella Meston.  She lost her long battle with cancer in the Palliative Care Unit of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on April 12. 

Rella graduated from the University of Alberta in 1979 with a Degree of Occupational Therapy.  She worked in various Home Care positions in Alberta, as well as being involved in provincial professional committess and activities. She and her family relocated to Nanaimo and Rella started a small private practice.  She then decided to support her husband in the operation of his business, letting her OT registration lapse.  When she wanted to return to health care, realizing that she could not work as an occupational therapist, she applied for a position as a Rehabilitation Assistant at the hospital – recognizing and respecting her different role while focussing on bringing the best out in her clients.  When the timing was right, Rella pursued re-entry into our profession, and once again was able to practice as an occupational therapist securing a permanent position with Home and Community Care in Ladysmith.  Rella valued and respected client-centred practice, and never stopped advocating for her clients and our profession.

Rella enjoyed a variety of leisure interests including hiking, biking, singing, and most recently achieving her dream of learning to play the harp.  She was always for living, as evidenced by her last hike up Mount Arrowsmith following surgery last summer.  She had an assistant in the event that she needed to stop, but she was determined to finish the climb – which she did!  Throughout the recent challenging progression of her illness, she maintained her witty sense of humor and fun loving personality.

Rella will be sadly missed by her two daughters, Kerri and Janelle, as well as other family members,  friends and colleagues.

Coming Soon: The BC Services Card

Beginning February 15, 2013, the provincial government will introduce the BC Services Card, which will be phased in over a five-year period. The new card replaces the CareCard, can be combined with the driver’s licence and also serves as government-issued identification. All BC Services Cards will have an expiry date, enhanced security features and most will have a photograph, which will help to improve patient safety and reduce card misuse.
 
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) will be the first program available through the new card. With this change, and beginning February 15, 2013, there will be a new requirement for most adult BC residents to renew their enrolment in MSP by 2018.
 
New regulations will also come into effect for health care providers, including the duty to verify patients’ enrolment in MSP and the duty to report MSP misuse.For information on these requirements and more, please visit: health.gov.bc.ca/insurance/pros.html where you will find the following resources:
 

·         BC Services Card ID fact sheet;

·         Questions and answers;

·         eLearning tool; and,

·         Technical readiness information.

In January 2013, a public communications campaign will be launched to inform BC residents about the BC Services Card and the changes to MSP. Kits with posters, brochures and other communications materials will be delivered to health providers and other locations in communities across the province. Your office will receive one of these kits along with an order form for additional materials, which will be available at no charge.
 
If you would like more general information, please visit: BCServicesCard.ca or by telephone 1-800-663-7867 (604-660-2421 in Metro Vancouver and 250-387-6121 in Victoria).

COTBC News

New Deputy Registrar Joins COTBC

COTBC has recently announced that  a new Deputy Registrar will start with the College in January 2013.

"Cindy McLean brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position of Deputy Registrar. She is currently registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Alberta and has a strong history of working in the professional regulatory environment. From 1997-2004 Cindy was the Registrar of the Alberta Association of Registered Occupational Therapists, now known as the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists. Cindy is also a Certified Management Consultant and for the past seven years has been a consultant leading projects for both regulatory organizations and government agencies. With expertise in facilitation, project management, policy development and clinical practice standards, Cindy brings a breadth and depth of experience well grounded in the regulatory context and well suited to the role of Deputy Registrar.

Cindy will be moving to Victoria to begin her position in January 2013."

COTBC Election Results

"It is with pleasure that we announce the results of the most recent Board election. Angenita Gerbracht from Prince Rupert and Darlene Russell from Penticton were re-relected, and we welcome new Board member Lindsey McMitchell from Port Coquitlam. Their terms of office begin on February 1, 2013. Many thanks to Lorraine MacDuff from Nanaimo for putting her name forward to serve on the College Board. Although unsuccessful in this election, we hope she will consider volunteering in other ways with the College"

CAOT Citation Award Winners- British Columbia

Paulette Guitard (CAOT President), Carol Petkau (Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association), Lori Cyr (CAOT Board Director, BC)

October 26, 2012 (Vancouver)- CAOT-BC would like to congratulate the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association and Spinal Cord Injury BC as the recipients of the CAOT Citation Award (BC), 2011. The awards were given during a joint reception between the College of Occupational Therapists of BC and CAOT-BC.

The Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association is a charitable organization that has been offering support and services to people with acquired brain injuries and their families since 1997. View the FVBIA website to learn more about this non-profit organization. 

Spinal Cord Injury BC (formerly BC Paraplegic Association) was established in 1957, helps people with spinal cord injury (and those with related physical disabilities) and their families adjust, adapt and thrive post injury by providing answers, information and unique community experiences. SCI BC currently serves over 1,200 people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in British Columbia.

View the SCI-BC website to learn more about this association.

Vancouver Coastal Health Announcement

Over the past year Vancouver Coastal Health as been working with groups across the health authority to redesign the professional practice leadership structures for the Allied Health professions within Vancouver Coastal Health. Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy are phase 1 of this work. The redesign was necessary as there has not been a consistent health authority wide Occupational Therapy practice leadership structure since Vancouver Coastal Health formed as a health authority in 2001, but rather representation in some areas and not in others, which necessitated the development of councils and committees that attempted to reach out to all our occupational therapists across the health authority. After consultation, collaboration and redesign Vanccouver Coastal Health is now very excited to announce their new VCH Occupational Therapy PracticeLeadership Team.

The official launch date is Oct 1, 2012, after two weeks of orientation and team-building. All individuals will officially be in placed on the team as of Sept 17th, so please do not hesitate to contact any and all of the team members as needed.