Chapter 9: Professional Organizations
What are the 5 divisions of the AOTA national staff?
Human resources, membership, conferences, accreditation, federal affairs
How do professional associations promote and protect the profession?
It provides a communication network and channel for information It regulates itself through the development and enforcement of standards of conduct. Guards the interest of those within the profession
What is the membership section responsible for?
Marketing, communication, AOTA press and periodicals, sales and instructional technology
What are the 3 professional membership categories of AOTA?
Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students
Professional Associations
Organized and operated by member for members
How does AOTA help promote the professional development of its members?
Publications, continuation education, and practice information
What's the job of professional organizations?
They create, promote, and support the vision of the profession and its members
American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC)
They further the legislative aims of the profession by attempting to influence the selection, nomination election or appointment of persons to public office
What is the conferences section responsible for?
continuing professional development and practice
What is the representative assembly made up of?
elected representatives from each state, elected officers of the assembly, the association representative from the student, an OTA representative, the 1st delegate of WFOT, and the chairperson of the commissions
What is the human resources section responsible for?
finance, administration, and general counsel
What is the accreditation section responsible for?
research, and academic education
What's the mission of AOTA?
to advance the quality, availability, use and support of OT through standard setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public
Coordinated Online Opportunities for Leadership (COOL)
And organization developed to encourage membership participation on a variety of levels
What does AOTA direct its efforts to?
Assurance of OT service quality Improvement consumer access to health care services Promote the professional department of its members
What are the standing commissions of the RA?
Commission of Education Commission of Practice Ethics Commission Commission of Continuing Competence and Professional Development American Student Committee of Occupational Therapy Association
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
Established to help OT practitioners access international information, engage in international exchange and promote organizations of OT in school within countries where none exist Developed in 1952 Goal = promote and advocate for OT and establish minimum educational standards for member countries
What is the federal affairs section responsible for?
Reimbursement, regulatory policy, state affairs, affiliate relations, and special policy activities
Commission on Continuing Competence and Professional Development (CCCPD)
Responsible for developing standards for continuing competency and for communicating these standards to the various stakeholders
What kind of standards does AOTA develop?
Standards of education Standards of practice Ethical standards
What does the AOTA standards ensure?
That educational programs prepare student properly, guideline are in place of articulating OT practice, a code of conduct is provided to clarify ethical issues
What is the volunteer section of AOTA made up of?
The executive boards and the representative assembly
American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)
The foundation designed to advance the science of OT and increase the public understanding on the value of OT They provide grants and scholarships
American Organization for Occupational Therapists (AOTA)
The professional organization for occupational therapists Made up of volunteers and a national office staff (located in Bethesda, Maryland)
