Home Featured Archives - Page 3 of 8 - College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia

Registrar’s March Monthly: BC-PAN, Amalgamation, New Staff

March 24, 2023

The BC Public Advisory Network (BC-PAN) recently held a workshop on the Modernization of Health Regulation. BC-PAN was formed in 2019 to promote meaningful engagement in healthcare regulation across the province. The BC-PAN intends to encourage comprehensive engagement on important issues related to healthcare regulation in BC.

At the recent BC-PAN workshop, the group identified that the public might be unaware of changes coming to healthcare regulation involving amalgamation. COTBC is interested to hear from the public about their questions and concerns. A summary from the BC-PAN workshop includes highlights from other colleges (PDF) about their experiences joining other health regulators.

COTBC continues to engage with the Ministry of Health and the other regulatory colleges that form the amalgamation. We do not have an amalgamation timeline to share. Please continue to check the COTBC website for new information.

New Staff

On another note, I would like to welcome two new staff members to the COTBC team. I am pleased to announce Brenda Carroll has taken on the role of Executive Director of Inquiry, Discipline, Monitoring and Privacy, and Apurva Bhardwaj is Manager of Projects. Brenda and Apruva bring a combination of unique education, work history and skills that are an exciting addition to our organization. Welcome, Brenda and Apruva!

Career Opportunity

February 22, 2023

Do you have a background in regulatory issues or legal matters? Consider joining us in a part-time role that supports our Inquiry, Complaints, Discipline and Privacy Management Program.

COTBC’s Inquiry, Discipline and Monitoring (IDM) & Privacy portfolio addresses complaints about registered occupational therapists as provided under the Health Professions Act. This position requires you to design and implement systems and processes, as well as provide operational oversight and support to the administrative and legal functions of the IDM Program.

You’ll oversee intake and workflow, prepare, review, and edit documentation, and manage file protocols, including support for the Inquiry Committee.

You’ll also manage all aspects of the Privacy Management Program under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The privacy management program includes a set of policies, procedures, and tools to facilitate systemic privacy protection through the life cycle of personal information in the custody of or under the control of the College.

This position calls for the ability to act with high independence, attention to detail and accurate decision-making, and a demonstrated ability to work with initiative and sound judgment. This role is the primary liaison between the IDM Program and other internal teams such as Registration.

If you want more information on this opportunity, please contact the College’s Registrar and CEO, Carin Plischke.

FAQs About Professional Regulation and New HPOA

February 6, 2023

The Provincial Government has released a series of FAQs about Professional Regulation and the new Health Professions and Occupations Act.

View FAQs: Professional Regulation – Province of British Columbia

FAQs About Bill 36: Health Professions and Occupations Act

December 29, 2022

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

Read our frequently asked questions document (PDF) to find out what this means for the people of British Columbia.

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.

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: