News

Jun 8

Update: College Commitment to Anti-Racism

In January 2020, the Board updated the College values to reflect our commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect and supporting equity, diversity and inclusion. We felt it essential that we make clear that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated by the College. We acknowledge the existence of discrimination and systemic racism in our communities and throughout the province and know that we must all work together to do better.As a College, as a profession, as individuals and as society we must all continue to learn how we can better understand and address systemic - and any other form of - racism. We have...

Jun 7

Missing Children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School

The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario extends our deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by the devastating discovery last week of 215 childrenin a mass grave at a residential school in Kamloops. If you need support, you can call the Indian Residential School Survivors Societytoll-free at 1-800-721-0066. If you are feeling distressed or want to talk, the Hope for Wellness Help Linealso offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Call toll-free at 1-855-242-3310 or visit...

Jun 2

Survey on the Standards for Psychotherapy - Complete by July 5th, 2021

We invite all registrants to participate in this survey about their understanding of the Standards for Psychotherapy. Please complete the survey by July 5th, 2021. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/96TFYZX The purpose of the surveyis to gather intelligence from: occupational therapists who support clients with their mental health and wellness, or those who have a curiosity about the role of occupational therapy and psychotherapy. The results will be used to create or revise current resources, which will enhance safe, competent and ethical practice. The Standards for Psychotherapy were first issued in 2010 and revised August...

May 28

New: Information on Virtual Services

Effective June 1st, 2021, occupational therapists registered in other provinces who are providing virtual services to clients in Ontario can do so based on their existing registration in the province they are located. The rules for in-person services are unchanged in that occupational therapists providing in-person services to a client residing in Ontario, must obtain temporary or general registration in Ontario. What does this mean for occupational therapists outside Ontario providing virtual services to clients in Ontario? The College is taking the position that occupational therapy service delivery occurs in the province...

May 26

Update: Use of Social Media Document

We've updated the College's Use of Social Mediadocument. Occupational therapists using social media in their practice will find that the revised Use of Social Media document promotes professionalism, privacy, confidentiality, and professional boundaries. If you have any questions about this document, contact the Practice Resource Service at...

May 19

Office Closure: Victoria Day

The College will be closed on Monday, May 24th, 2021 for Victoria Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 at 8:30am. If you need to find information about occupational therapists in Ontario, please visit the public register at Find an Occupational Therapist. Have a safe and happy long...

May 19

COVID-19 Update: Revocation of Directive #2

Effective May 19th, 2021, the Chief Medical Officer Health (CMOH) has revoked Directive #2 for Health Care Providers, approving the resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures. All health care providers should continue to follow the guidance issued by the Ministry of Health in the COVID-19 Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart, as well as all other sector-specific Ministry of Health guidance and other CMOH Directives. What this means for occupational therapists Occupational therapists can continue to deliver their health care services consistent with current guidelines for regulated health...

May 13

Ontario's Stay-at-Home order extended until at least June 2, 2021

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced the extension of the province's Stay-at-Home order until at least June 2, 2021.

Apr 28

Exemption from 2020 Professional Development Plan

Thank you to all the occupational therapists who have taken the time to complete their Professional Development (PD) plans.We hope that the process of setting and achieving learning goals over such an unpredictable year, or of reflecting on personal growth despite the challenges of 2020, will assist you in providing safe, quality care to the people of Ontario. As the College reflects further, we would like to acknowledge the evolving situation related to the pandemic and have made the decision to exempt the formal requirement to complete the PD Plan for 2020-2021. We still hope that those who have not completed the PD plan will...

Apr 22

New Provincial Orders: Change to Scope of Practice in Hospitals

On Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Government of Ontario released amemo from the Ministry of Health providing information on new orders in effect in Ontario. The new order is available to read here:Ontario Regulation 305/21 Regulated Health Professionals, made under theEmergency Management and Civil Protection Act, 1990. This order authorizes health care professionals including occupational therapists to provide patient care services outside their regular scope of practice in hospitals, and enables hospitals to employ, contract, appoint or otherwise engage regulated health professionals from out-of-province. Under theEmergency...

Apr 20

Revised Requirements for Professional Development Plans (Update: Exemption from 2020 Professional Development Plan )

[Updated April 28, 2021] As the College reflects further, we would like to acknowledge the evolving situation related to the pandemic and have made the decision to exempt the formal requirement to complete the PD Plan for 2020-2021. Learn more about this decision:https://www.coto.org/news/exemption-from-2020-professional-development-plan Professional Development is about growth, which can take place in many ways, sometimes through planned activities such as enrolling in a course, and sometimes through unplanned events such as the sudden onset of a global pandemic. Each of us continues to be impacted by COVID-19 which has...

Apr 20

Updated information about accessing COVID Care Learning

The College has been encouraged to share these COVID-19 education resources onCOVIDCareLearning.ca to support occupational therapists if you are redeployed. The rapid rise and severity of COVID-19 cases may result in large redeployments of health professionals across the system. We are committed to helping you prepare if you are one of the individuals whoare redeployed– and thank you for your help during these challenging times. Use these free resources curated for COVID-19 education: At the onset of the pandemic, a provincial team launched theCOVIDCareLearning.caplatform as an essential learning tool for redeployed...

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