COTBC News Archives - Page 5 of 34 - College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia

Health Professions and Occupations Act Receives Royal Assent, in Force Date not Known

November 28, 2022

Bill 36, the Health Professions and Occupations Act, has received Royal Assent and is now law in British Columbia.

After going through three readings and the Committee stage, the Health Professions and Occupations Act received Royal Assent November 24, 2022.

When the new legislation is in force, it will replace the Health Professions Act as the governing legislation for health regulatory colleges in BC.

The BC Government has not yet released an implementation schedule and in force date for the Health Professions and Occupations Act. BC health regulatory colleges, including COTBC will continue to operate under the Health Professions Act until the in force date for the new legislation.

COTBC will communicate with registrants, applicants, and other stakeholders as more information is confirmed about the Health Professions and Occupations Act.

More information

Patients the focus of new health legislation

Bill 36 Health Professions and Occupations Act (3rd reading, November 24, 2022)

Opportunity to Serve on Quality Assurance Committee (QAC)

November 22, 2022

The College is looking for a registrant to join the Quality Assurance Committee.

Role of the Committee

The Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) is responsible for carrying out the duties prescribed to it under section 26 of the Health Professions Act, including administration of the quality assurance program and scheduling of the quality assurance program cycle.

We Value Diversity

We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Committee members bring valuable perspectives to guide committee activities and support informed and good decisions for our public protection programs. We welcome members of equity-seeking groups to consider serving with the Quality Assurance Committee.

Committee Membership

The QAC is comprised of four registrants and two public representatives appointed by the Board. Appointments are three-year terms, up to a maximum of nine years (or three terms).

Commitment

QAC members meet in person about three times per year for a one- or two-day session, typically in Vancouver. They may also meet virtually as needed. Some pre-reading is required in preparation for meetings, but no other work is usually required in between.

Honoraria

Members receive an annual honorarium of $525.00 and are reimbursed for travel and expenses in accordance with the College’s expense policy.

How to Apply

If you are interested, you must be a full registrant in good standing and understand the College’s public protection mandate.

Please see Careers & Partnerships on the COTBC website to download and complete the Committee Member Expression of Interest form and email it to the College by December 15, 2022 at qaprogram@cotbc.org. Questions can also be sent to the same email address and we will be pleased to follow up.

COTBC Welcomes New Deputy Registrar Megan Shields

November 22, 2022

Join us in welcoming Megan Shields as the College’s new deputy registrar.

As a member of the executive leadership team, Megan will work closely with the Registrar/CEO to ensure registration, quality assurance and practice programs are aligned with the strategic directions and mandate of the organization. She will also assume the role of overseeing the complaints program and assisting the public and registrants engaged in the complaints process.

We chatted with Megan about what inspires her in her new role.

What inspired you to take on the role of Deputy Registrar Officer at the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC)?

I am very humbled to be joining the team at COTBC. The Deputy Registrar role offered an irresistible opportunity to work with leaders in our profession on impactful and progressive initiatives that support safe, ethical, and effective practice across the province. Being part of the leadership team to make advancements in regulation for occupational therapy is intrinsically motivating for me. I am very grateful to be able to learn from both Kathy Corbett and Carin Plischke during this transition time at COTBC.

What do you feel that you bring to this role?

Over the course of my career thus far, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of practice settings in the public and private sectors, for both physical and mental health. Having a varied clinical skillset is advantageous in my role as Deputy Registrar to advance standards of practice and quality assurance. I look forward to bringing a strong work ethic and core values of excellence and fairness to the exciting and challenging work ahead.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

I am originally from Ontario but have called BC home for the last ten years. My family and I moved from Vancouver to Victoria for the start of my role as Deputy Registrar, which has been an exciting change. We are very happy with our decision to re-locate to the island! We are keen to instill a love for the outdoors for our two daughters, and looking forward to many adventures of skiing, hiking and camping ahead. A few bucket list items include skiing at Mount Cain, hiking the Nootka trail, and exploring Strathcona Provincial Park.

Learn About the New Competencies

October 25, 2022

As of May 1, 2023, BC occupational therapists are expected to meet the new Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada (COTC). These will replace the Essential Competencies of Practice published in 2011. Like the previous competencies, these reflect a broad range of skills and abilities required of occupational therapists throughout their careers.

The new competencies must be applied and interpreted considering the requirements of the practice context and the client’s particular situation. Two COTBC initiatives will assist BC occupational therapists in understanding how to apply the COTC to their practice:

A Learning Module – available to registrants in their QAP portals this coming November
Doing Better Together Team – a group of BC OTs who are planning activities and resources designed to take a closer look at each of the six domains:
1. Occupational Therapy Expertise
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Culture, Equity and Justice
4. Excellence in Practice
5. Professional Responsibility
6. Engagement with the Profession

Watch for more information in November.

Questions about the new competencies can be addressed to practice@cotbc.org.

Register for COTBC 2022 Annual General Meeting

October 14, 2022

The College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia is pleased to inform registrants that the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held during cOnnecT Day.

Saturday, November 5, 2022, 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel
1180 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC

For those that are unable to attend in-person, the cOnnecT Day events, including the AGM, will be offered virtually as well.

We are pleased to provide the COTBC 2021-2022 Annual Report and the Agenda for the AGM:

- 2021-2022 Annual Report
- The 2022 AGM Agenda

Following the AGM, the College will upload a video of the proceedings to the website.

We are thrilled that cOnnecT Day is able to resume this year! Plan to join us for a day of learning, reflecting, and connecting. We are pleased to have Harmony Johnson, vice president of Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation at Providence Health Care, as this year’s speaker on “Bringing Positive Changes into Practice”, reflecting on the In Plain Sight report and its calls to action to improve equity in health care. Joined by a panel of two occupational therapists, speakers discuss the importance of delivering anti-racist culturally safer care. View this agenda to learn more about the event.

To attend the AGM or cOnnecT day in person or to attend virtually register today.

The following is provided for your reference:

COTBC Welcomes New Deputy Registrar

October 13, 2022

We are pleased to announce Megan Shields will join the College as our new deputy registrar. Megan will join the College team on October 31, 2022.

Megan moved from rural Ontario to British Columbia to complete her Occupational Therapy Master’s degree in 2012. Since then, she has worked as an occupational therapist in the public and private sectors, primarily in the fields of mental health and return to work. Megan most recently held the roles of Occupational Therapist Clinical Advisor and Program Manager at WorkSafeBC.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the Deputy Registrar works closely with the Registrar/CEO to ensure registration, quality assurance and practice programs are aligned with the strategic directions and mandate of the organization. The Deputy Registrar will also assume the role of overseeing the complaints program and assisting the public and registrants engaged in the complaints process.

Outside of Megan’s role at the College, she anticipates exploring all that Vancouver Island has to offer with her husband and two daughters.

We are excited to have her on board and look forward to registrants and our partners getting to know Megan. Welcome Megan.