Reporting requirements for employers
Employers, managers, facility operators and other regulated health care professionals are legally required to make a mandatory report if a concern involving an occupational therapist arises. These reports are made to the COTO or other regulated health care professional Colleges.
Your reporting obligations as an employer
There can be many reasons that an employer or manager, facility operator, and other regulated health care professionals must make a report. These can include concerns about patient safety or violations of professional standards. Making reports is an important part of maintaining quality of care. It provides a safe work environment for occupational therapists and patients alike.
- Employers/managers must report if they have revoked or restricted the privileges or practice of, suspended or terminated an OT (or other regulated health care professional) for reasons of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- All must report if they receive notice of resignation or a voluntary restriction or relinquishing of privileges or practice from an OT(or other regulated health care professional)who is the subject of an investigation into allegations related to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- All must report if they receive notice of resignation or a voluntary restriction or relinquishing of privileges or practice from an OT(or other regulated health care professional) and they have reasonable grounds to believe that the resignation, relinquishment or restriction, is related to the OT’s or other regulated health care professional’s professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- Employers/managers must report if they dissolve a partnership, health profession corporation or association involving an OT (or other regulated health care professional) for reasons of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity.
- Facility operators must report if they have reason to believe that a regulated health care professional is incompetent or incapacitated.
- Facility operators are required to file mandatory reports if they suspect sexual abuse of a patient by an OT or other regulated health care professional.
Mandatory reporting FAQ
There are many important facets when it comes to mandatory reporting. To gain a better understanding of the reporting requirements and processes, as well as procedures for reporting sexual abuse, read through our FAQ.
Filing a report
Mandatory reports must be filed within 30 days after the occurrence happens.
However, reports must be made immediately if there are reasonable grounds to believe that:
- the professional will continue to sexually abuse the patient or other patients; or
- the incompetence or the incapacity of the professional is likely to expose patients to harm or injury, and there is an urgent need for intervention.
How to file your report form
If you have to make a report about an employee or regulated health professional, there are two ways to file.
- Our online report form
- Send by mail, email, or fax:
Office of the Registrar
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
20 Bay Street, Suite 900
PO Box 78
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2N8
Fax: 416-214-0586
Email: investigations@coto.org
Relevant resources
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