How Many Activities Do I Need?

How do you determine if you have the "right" number of activities represented in your application? From a purely numbers perspective:

• You must have a minimum 5 of the 32 activity categories represented in your application. For example, you may have (1) Case Study, (2) Fieldwork Supervision, (3) Learning - Formal, (4) Presentations - Live, and (5) Quality Improvement. You may certainly have more than 5 activity categories represented.
• You can use as many different individual activities within a single category as you want. For example, your application might have 7 case studies in it.
• Each single activity (e.g., each unique case study) may be used to address up to 4 indicators. It does not matter which competencies those 4 indicators represent; they can all be from 1 competency…or you can use the activity for 1 indicator in 4 different competencies…or any other combination of 4 indicators you can come up with.
• All indicators for all competencies must be addressed. You may use as many different activities as needed to meet that requirement and support the application.

Having the "right" numbers alone isn't enough, though. The goal is to select the best activity for each indicator. It is certainly possible that 1 activity may be used for only 1 indicator and nothing else. An applicant could have a uniquely different activity assigned to every indicator; resulting in 31 different pieces of evidence (in the case of peds, for example) if that's what they felt gave them the best application.

As you are choosing activities to assign to indicators ask yourself, "Does this activity best represent my ability to meet the requirements represented in this particular indicator relative to this competency? As you answer that question for yourself, jot your thoughts down and use them to guide your response to the reflection for that competency later!

Maria Elena E. Louch, Professional Development Program Manager

The Employment Verification Form

How do I track my hours for verification?

It is up to you how you would like to track the specifics of your service delivery. We ask only for the employment verification form to be submitted, so you just need to be sure that whoever is verifying the information feels comfortable and ethical with whatever tracking system you use.

Keep in mind that if you work in a setting in which you have a diverse caseload and you are applying for specialty certification, you may need a more discreet tracking system. For example, if I see a variety of diagnoses for phys rehab and am applying for Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation, my total hours worked is going to be fine. However, if I am applying for Specialty Certification in Low Vision, I need to be able to count only those hours with clients whose intervention included low vision as part of my service delivery hours for part B of the Employment Verification Form.

I’m Self-Employed, who can sign my Employment Verification Form?

Because private practice takes on many different forms, there are varying ways in which employment verification may be handled. Examples of who might verify the form include:

• an administrator for a company/organization that contracted with the private practitioner for services
• the referral source
• a business partner or co-owner
• the accountant for the practice

You may include multiple verification forms if that is what is needed. If none of the options listed above fit your situation and you have an alternative source for verification that you would like to use, you may forward that information for review and approval to prodev@aota.org prior to submitting an application.

What do I do if my former place of employment has closed or been sold?

In the case a business has been sold, you may still be able to get verification from the new owners since they are required to maintain records for a period of time. If you are able to contact a supervisor from a previous employer, you may use that person as well.

What do I do if my former supervisor no longer works at the institution from which I am trying to obtain employment verification?

Typically institutions will have employment records and another individual can verify the hours worked. Consult the human resources department of the agency/institution.

Until next time, keep working on collecting your evidence and moving forward on your application!

Living Life To Its Fullest!

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH &
Maria Elena E. Louch, Professional Development Program Manager

Reflections - How are they different?

When writing your application reflections, how do you keep from being redundant from one reflection to the next? The answer is...by keeping your focus!

Reflection 1 – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO (answered for all competencies): Describe how the professional development activities submitted for this competency helped you meet the identified indicators and why you believe they were the best approach to learning.

• This reflection should focus on the activities you submitted to demonstrate achievement of the various indicators in each competency. Why did you choose them?


• How did the activities you chose support your learning and professional development relative to the indicators? For example, did you learn new information or have old ideas validated? If so, describe them.


• Why were the activities you chose the best approach to learning? For example, was mentoring a good choice because of its interactive nature and the ability to develop interpersonal skills more fully?


• Did you discover that something wasn't very meaningful for you? Was there something to be learned form that discovery?

Reflection 2 – PRACTICE CHANGES (answered for the 3 competencies of your choice): How has your practice changed as a result of meeting this competency?

Now that you've engaged in all the activities discussed previously, how has that translated in terms of your practice? What did you start doing differently or start emphasizing more? For example, do you find you are now more conscious of certain cultural issues with clients? Do you consistently implement a new evaluation or intervention methods? Do you engage families in ways you never did before? Are you able to articulate with greater confidence to others the value of OT and what you’re doing?

Reflection 3 – CLIENT OUTCOMES (answered for same 3 competencies as #2): Describe how the practice changes you have identified above have influenced your client outcomes.

Continuing with the examples above, now that you are more conscious of cultural issues, do you find that you encounter less resistance form clients? Has implementation of new interventions resulted in a change in the type of outcomes you see? Are you able to be more effective programmatically because you are advocating for services with greater confidence and more evidence to support your position?

Take your time to reflect carefully on each section and how it relates to the rest of the information you are submitting as part of the application. And remember, 300 – 750 words go faster than you think…this blog entry is 410 words!

Maria Elena E. Louch, AOTA Professional Development Program Manager

Successful Certification Applications...Step 1!

Many times practitioners ask my advice on how to be successful in applying for Board or Specialty Certification. Simply, it is a goal-setting process in which you must carefully attend to all steps in the application process.

First of all, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading the directions! The first thing I tell practitioners to do when they are considering certification is to download the application and read over it completely. Read it once to just let the words wash over you; read it a second time for understanding. And as you are completing the application, read each section you are working on to make sure you are following the instructions correctly! Don’t hesitate (or wait until the last minute!) to ask questions either.

Then--just as we would do with a client--set realistic goals for the completion of each step. When I was preparing my application for board certification, I completely under-estimated the time it would take to gather all the evidence and to complete the reflections. Assuming you actually have a fairly well organized collection of evidence to support the various professional development activities you’ve engaged in, a minimum of 3 months is not an unreasonable expectation. Especially if you’re not planning to block an entire weekend or more to work on the application!

Take your time with this…it’s supposed to be a meaningful process that helps you really look at your practice and think about where you’ve been, how you’ve grown professionally, and where you’re going next. Savor the journey…and take a friend along for the ride!

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH

Competence/Competency - what's the difference?

Competence is all about building capacity. Competency is the examination of current performance against standards. This is considering an individual's actual performance in a particular situation.

AOTA certification programs focus on continuing competence, or the building of capacity to meet identified competencies. This is important because what a profession can be is dependent on the continuing competence of its members.

With this being said....what have you done lately to build your capacity? Have you begun your Board or Specialty Certification application? If so, great! Keep going. If not, what is holding you back? Maybe you don't know where to begin? The first step is to download the application handbook and read through it. Please continue to visit this blog as the process of applying for Board & Specialty Certification is presented and discussed. I look forward to your input & questions.

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH

AOTA Conference - Board & Specialty Certification

AOTA conference will be here before we know it. I'm looking forward to that California SUN! However, I know that my employer is paying for my attendance; therefore, I'll be at many sessions to learn new information to share with students and colleagues when I return to Iowa.

Are you working on your Board or Specialty Certification application? Planning on attending conference? Check out these sessions offered by other AOTA certified practitioners who will help clarify the connection between their session and certification! You can use Program Builder on the AOTA website to customize your conference schedule.

Below are some courses you might consider!

Key: Institute = IN, Workshop = WS, Short Course = SC, Research Platform = RP

Wednesday

IN 010 (CBOT) (Cert) Back to the Basics: Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing Throughout the Lifespan

IN 020 (Cert) Strategies for Collaboration in School-Based Practice

Thursday

WS103 (Cert) Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing in Children and Adults: Cases and Advocacy

SC102 (Cert) A Self-Management Program for Individuals With Parkinson's Disease

SC114 (Cert) Implementing the Principles of Occupational Justice Into American Occupational Therapy Practice: System-Wide Barriers and Creative Solutions

SC118 (Cert) Self-Report Evaluation To Identify and Predict Occupational Performance in Adults with Low Vision

RP203 (Res) (Cert) Further Investigation of Brain Physiology Underlying Sensory Processing Disorders Using Electroencephalography

SC201 (Cert) Occupational Therapy Practitioners in the Land of Low Vision and Blindness Rehabilitation: Navigating the Maze

SC219 (Cert) Vision and Falls: Recognizing Risk Through Screening and Prevention

WS214 (SIS) (Cert) School System Annual Program: IDEA Part C: Early Intervention and Occupational Therapy Services

RP244 (Res) (Cert) The Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Treatment Interventions With Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Saturday

SC314 (AOTA) (Cert) Response to Intervention and School-Based Practice: Linking Policy to Practice

SC337 (Cert) Visitability and Universal Design as Foundations for Inclusivity and Occupational Performance

WS305 (SIS) (Cert) Gerontology Annual Program: Essential Skills for Working With Older Adults With Low Vision

Sunday

WS405 (Cert) Optics and Occupational Performance: Using Devices to Enhance Treatment Outcomes

SC429 (Cert) Transactional Approach to Analyze Complex Meanings and Benefits of Occupation in Older Adulthood

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH

Why AOTA certification?

AOTA Board & Specialty Certification provide a framework for professional development that is specifically geared to the profession of occupational therapy.

For example, I am an occupational therapist Board Certified in mental health (BCMH). My signature looks like this: Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH.

I could have pursued certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner (CPRP) certification, which is administered by United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA). This is a certification related to psychiatric rehabilitation, and I value this certification; however, it is not unique to occupational therapy. My AOTA Board & Specialty Certification is unique to occupational therapy, and my employer recognizes my advanced knowledge and skills and the expertise which was required to obtain this certification.

I've heard of a couple of therapists who were successful in obtaining increased salaries as a result of obtaining Board and Specialty Certifications here in Iowa.

The process of Board & Specialty Certification is built upon the Standards of Continuing Competence, an AOTA Official Document developed by CCCPD. It is important that I emphasize that obtaining Board or Specialty Certification is a process, something that takes time. Recently in an article in the AOTA MHSIS Quarterly (page 2), Victoria Schindler chronicled her process in the development of her Board Certification application for mental health.

Take a minute and review Victoria's article. I'm certain you will find her review of the process helpful and encouraging. Then I encourage you to establish a personal goal for when you will begin your application!

Hope to see you at AOTA Conference and come back to visit this blog often!

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH

Welcome to the Board & Specialty Certification Blog!

Greetings! I'm glad you took some time from your busy schedule to check out the Blog the Commission on Continuing Competence & Professional Development (CCCPD) has launched in conjunction with the Board for Advanced and Specialty Certification (BASC).

This Blog will provide information on the Board & Specialty Certification processes and offer resources and tips to assist you not just in preparing for certification, but in the ongoing process of professional development. We encourage you to come back regularly to see new information as it becomes available! AOTA Board and Specialty Certification is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated the capacity for meeting identified competencies and indicators that reflect either advanced (Board) or specialized (Specialty) occupational therapy practice through a peer reviewed reflective portfolio process. Check out the AOTA Certification Home Page link to download certification information.

Board Certification is available to occupational therapists who have been practicing for at least 5 years in a broad area of practice and have 5,000 hours in the certification area, 500 of which are direct service to clients. Board Certification is available in Gerontology, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Physical Rehabilitation.

Specialty Certification is available to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants with at least 2,000 hours experience in occupational therapy, 600 hours which must be concentrated in the specialty area delivering services to clients. Specialty Certification exists in the following areas: Driving & Community Mobility; Environmental Modification; Feeding, Eating & Swallowing; and Low Vision.

We hope that this Blog will help to answer some of your questions about getting started in the application process or help you navigate through the application process in your pursuit of Board or Specialty Certification.

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH