Online

Friday, February 21, 2025 
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Appropriate collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) improves clients' ability to better access occupational therapy in Canada (von Zweck & Gillespie, 1998; Blake et al., 2015; Blandford, 2018).  However, many OTs state they are not confident in assigning service components and supervising OTAs due to lack of understanding of the OTA knowledge, skills and role within our profession (Nancarrow & Mackey, 2005; Stephenson, 2015; Penner et al., 2020). The decision to assign service components to OTAs and supervise appropriately can be challenging for OTs based on various risk factors, particularly the OT/OTA team dynamic.

This half-day workshop is ideal for occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), managers, and employers who wish to improve client outcomes by utilizing processes beneficial in developing an effective OT/OTA intraprofessional approach. During this workshop, the history of OTAs within Canada will be described, including the evolution from on-the-job training to current accredited education programs. Specific processes to assist OTs to develop professional working relationships with OTAs will be explored, and the importance of this relationship for successful assignment of service components and supervision to ensure safe and effective occupational therapy service delivery will be reinforced. This will be followed by an overview of determining whether a service component will be assigned to a specific OTA, or a roster of OTAs located in a particular setting, based on risk factors pertaining to the OT, the client, the service component(s), the OTA(s) and the context where the therapy will occur. If the therapist decides that assignment will proceed, the next topic is the development and documentation of a supervision plan.

To provide clarity from a national perspective, it will be reinforced that provincial regulations vary, and OTs need to review guidelines/standards within their jurisdiction to ensure a clear understanding of their responsibilities. Throughout the workshop, case studies will be discussed within small groups to enable implementation of the processes learned throughout the workshop.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Recognize educational knowledge and skills of occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) graduating from an accredited educational program.
2. Apply strategies to develop and implement professional working relationships with OTAs.
3. Identify effective methods to determine assignment of service components and appropriate supervision of OTAs.
4. Understand the significance of the OT/OTA collaboration in improving client outcomes.
5. Support and recognize OTAs within the occupational therapy profession within Canada..

Target audience

Occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), managers, and employers who wish to improve client outcomes through optimal collaboration between OTs and OTAs.

Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc. To provide clarity from a national perspective, it will be reinforced that provincial regulations vary, and occupational therapists need to review guidelines/standards within their jurisdiction to ensure a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

Client age group

Young children (0-4 years old), Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Acute Care, Chronic Disease Management, Cognition, Dementia, Developmental Disability, Dysphagia & Digestive Disorders, Education & Fieldwork, Generalist, Global Health, Health, Promotion & Wellness, Independent Living & Housing, Indigenous Health, Intensive Critical Care Unit (ICU)/ Emergency Department (ED), Mental Health, MSK Rehabilitation, Older Adults, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces

Workshop level

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop.

Presenter

Heather Gillespie

Heather Gillespie has worked as an occupational therapist for 45 years, having received her formal education from the University of Manitoba in 1977. Her clinical experience in Saskatchewan and British Columbia has been in acute care, rehabilitation, home care, residential care, and with Veterans' Affairs Canada. She has been fortunate to collaborate with occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) throughout her clinical practice. Currently, Heather is an OTA Instructor through the Distributed Learning Therapist Assistant Program at Medicine Hat College, Alberta and throughout her 13 years in this position, she has educated students in various locations across Canada. She is also a peer review team member for the OTA/PTA Education Accreditation Program and is involved in CAOT's OTA Practice Network. Heather is looking forward to sharing the knowledge and experiences she has gained throughout her career related to collaborating with and educating occupational therapist assistants.

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by December 19, 2024

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after December 19, 2024

Registration deadline: February 21, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)  

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees. 

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Included in your registration fee:

Half-day online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by February 5, 2025 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after February 5, 2025. Substitutions and transfers requests received by February 5, 2025 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before January 10, 2025 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until January 24, 2025. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs