February 2008

Dear State Occupational Therapy Association Member,

As a President of the Iowa Occupational Therapy Association and a member of the Commission of Continuing Competence and Professional Development (CCCPD), I would like to share some information related to AOTA board and specialty certification. I would like to thank your association President for allowing me space on your state webpage and/or newsletter.

In May 2004, the CCCPD was charged by the AOTA Representative Assembly (RA) to develop new Board Certifications in Gerontology, Mental Health, Pediatrics, and Physical Rehabilitation; and Specialty Certifications in Driving and Community Mobility; Environmental Modification; Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing; and Low Vision. Panels made up of volunteers with expertise in each of the areas were established to work on the development of the certifications. Literature review, interviews, surveys, focus groups, expert consultation, and observation were used to develop the final competencies and indicators that make up the requirements for each certification.

You may ask, "Why should I become board or specialty certified?" As you know, the practice of occupational therapy is changing on a daily basis. The current practice environment requires more and more that practitioners be able to communicate the immediate effectiveness of their interventions and demonstrate continuous professional growth. Through its Board and Specialty Certification programs, AOTA provides formal recognition for practitioners who have engaged in a voluntary process of ongoing professional development and who are able to translate that development into improved client outcomes. Board and specialty certification provides you with an advantage in marketing yourself to employers and marketing your services to clients. Moreover this program allows you to show payers that you possess the specialized and advanced knowledge and skills they want provided to their clients.

Potential benefits which may be realized by the practitioner through obtaining board or specialty certification could include: an increase in client referrals, a promotion or raise in pay for services, formal recognition by peers and other stakeholders, as well as improved client outcomes. Perhaps first and foremost, advanced and specialty certification is a process which promotes increased skills and professional development and offers personal satisfaction.

Board certification recognizes advanced achievement by occupational therapists in the broad areas of practice (Gerontology, Physical Rehabilitation, Pediatrics & Mental Health). This certification aims to create a community of occupational therapists who share a commitment to ongoing continuing competence and the development of the profession. Further, board certification can assist occupational therapists in ongoing professional development in the areas of best practice, education, and research in occupational therapy. Specialty certification, available to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants was developed to acknowledge the specific skills in specialized areas of practice (Driving & Community Mobility, Feeding, Eating & Swallowing, Low Vision, & Environmental Modification). These specialized credentials assist practitioners in competing in the ever changing healthcare marketplace. The board and specialty certification process were developed based upon the AOTA standards of continuing competence (knowledge, critical reasoning, interpersonal skills, performance skills & ethical reasoning). The certification programs are based upon continuing competence, or the building of capacity to meet identified competencies.

I believe it is important to note that what a profession can be is dependent on its members. What your state can be is dependent on the actions and activities of you as a state association member! Applying for board/specialty certification is a process. It is something that will take time, but it is time well spent on your professional development as well as the ongoing development of our profession. To apply, practitioners develop a reflective portfolio based on competencies and indicators specified in the application handbook. Honestly, we think that many practitioners will be surprised to note that much of their work day to day will meet the competencies and indicators required for the application process.

We are excited to share with you news of an upcoming FREE seminar on board/specialty certification on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at the AOTA Conference in Long Beach. You must register for this seminar but there is no charge. The registration form can be found online or in the AOTA conference program which was mailed to members. The session will take place from noon-6:30 pm. At the free seminar sponsored by CCCPD, participants will learn about the board and specialty certification process, be able to ask questions about the process, hear and exchange tips to earning certification, and participants can even bring their professional development materials to see how what they've completed to date can be used to meet the required documentation for the board/specialty certification application process.

Want to know more? We urge you to attend the free seminar and to visit the AOTA website. Just click on professional development where you can download the application handbook for all the board and specialty certifications without any charge, and stay tuned to the AOTA website where a board/specialty certification Blog is soon to be unveiled. Do you have more questions about the process? Please email prodev@aota.org

Hope to see you in Long Beach!

Christine Urish, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH
President, Iowa Occupational Therapy Association
AOTA - CCCPD Member