The Practice Standards & Guidelines are published by the College of Occupational Therapists of BC to help occupational therapists apply the Essential Competencies to BC practice.
The standards help OTs by:
- Defining their responsibilities,
- Describing minimal expectations for occupational therapy practice, and
- Defining safe, ethical, competent practice.
As part of the College’s continued commitment to Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility, planning is underway to review the College’s existing and future standards and guidelines with this lens. If you have questions or comments about this process or the current practice standards, please contact the College’s practice team to discuss. We welcome the conversation.
From Guidelines to Standards
Recently, the College has moved towards publishing practice standards vs. guidelines. This move is to provide occupational therapists with more detailed and clear expectations to guide their daily practice. The development of new standards is led by the Patient Relations, Standards, and Ethics Committee, which is comprised of both occupational therapists and members of the public.
Practice standards address the challenges occupational therapists face frequently. They offer clear direction and/or identification of issues influencing decision-making. Reviewing the practice standards and comparing them to current policies and procedures can help to ensure safe, ethical and competent practice.
Current Practice Standards
Infection Prevention and Control
- Infection Prevention and Control – All (HTML) – includes overview, definitions, the standard, and the risk assessment and management tool
- Infection Prevention and Control – All (PDF)
- IPAC Practice Standard (PDF)
- IPAC – Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)
Consent Standards
- Practice Standards for Consent – All (HTML) – includes overview, definitions, three standards, and the risk assessment and management tool
- Practice Standards for Consent – All (PDF)
- Consent Practice Standard 1: Obtaining and Maintaining Consent (PDF)
- Consent Practice Standard 2: Determining Capability to Give Consent (PDF)
- Consent Practice Standard 3: Documenting Consent (PDF)
- Consent Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)
Professional Boundaries Standards
- Professional Boundaries Practice Standards – All (HTML) – includes overview, definitions, four standards, expectations in practice, and the risk assessment and management tool
- Professional Boundaries Practice Standards – All (PDF)
- PB Practice Standard 1: Fostering Therapeutic Relationships (PDF)
- PB Practice Standard 2: Recognizing Professional Boundary Issues (PDF)
- PB Practice Standard 3: Preventing Professional Boundary Issues (PDF)
- PB Practice Standard 4: Managing Professional Boundary Issues (PDF)
- PB Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)
Preventing Sexual Misconduct Standards
- Preventing Sexual Misconduct Practice Standards – All (HTML)
- Preventing Sexual Misconduct Practice Standards – All (PDF)
- PSM Practice Standard 1: Recognizing Sexual Misconduct (PDF)
- PSM Practice Standard 2: Avoiding Sexual Misconduct (PDF)
- PSM Practice Standard 3: Addressing Concerns related to Potential Sexual Misconduct (PDF)
- PSM Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)
Conflict of Interest Standards
- Conflict of Interest (COI) Practice Standards – All (HTML) – includes overview, definitions, three standards, expectations in practice, and the risk assessment and management tool
- Conflict of Interest (COI) Practice Standards – All (PDF)
- COI Practice Standard 1: Recognizing Conflict of Interest (PDF)
- COI Practice Standard 2: Preventing Conflict of Interest (PDF)
- COI Practice Standard 3: Managing Conflict of Interest (PDF)
- COI Risk Assessment and Management (PDF)
Managing Client Information Standards
- Managing Client Information (MCI) Practice Standards – All (HTML) – includes overview, definitions, six standards, and the risk assessment and management tool
- Managing Client Information (MCI) Practice Standards – All (PDF)
- MCI Practice Standard 1: Collecting and Recording Client Information (PDF) (includes information regarding electronic records)
- MCI Practice Standard 2: Protecting Client Information (PDF) (Privacy and Security)
- MCI Practice Standard 3: Client Access to the Occupational Therapy Record (PDF)
- MCI Practice Standard 4: Disclosing the Occupational Therapy Record (PDF)
- MCI Practice Standard 5: Records Respecting Financial Matters (PDF)
- MCI Practice Standard 6: Retention and Destruction of the Occupational Therapy Record (PDF)
- MCI Risk Assessment and Management Tool (PDF)
Current Practice Guidelines
Please note that this guideline is currently being adjusted to reflect the October 2, 2017 changes to our bylaws. Your patience is appreciated.
- Supervising Support Personnel (PDF) (2011)
