{"id":1686,"date":"2024-12-03T13:16:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T18:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-coto.pantheonsite.io\/?post_type=resource&p=1686"},"modified":"2025-01-13T12:11:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T17:11:48","slug":"standard-overview","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.coto.org\/resources\/standard-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Standard Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Introduction<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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The Standards of Practice establish the minimum expectations for all occupational therapists in Ontario. They describe how occupational therapists will provide safe, quality, ethical, accountable, and effective services. The Standards apply to all registrants of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (\u201cthe College\u201d), regardless of practice setting, job title, or role. The Standards, together with the Code of Ethics, Competencies, and Practice Guidance, establish the expectations for professional practice and the delivery of occupational therapy services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Code of Ethics<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The Code of Ethics defines the College\u2019s expectations for ethical practice. It includes a set of values and principles, and is intended for use in all contexts<\/strong> and for all levels of decision-making. It forms the foundation for occupational therapists\u2019 ethical obligations. Occupational therapists must know and adhere to these principles.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Competencies<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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The Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada, 2021,<\/em>articulates the broad range of skills and abilities required of all occupational therapists. Occupational therapists are to remain familiar with the Competencies to inform practice and professional development.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Standards<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Standards of Practice <\/strong>establish the minimum expectations for occupational therapists\u2014expectations that contribute to public protection. Standards apply to all occupational therapists, regardless of their role, job description, or area of practice.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Practice Guidance<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Practice Guidance provides information about specific practice situations or legislation. These are recommended practices.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How the Standards are developed and updated<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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The Standards are based on core occupational therapy principles outlined in the Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada<\/em> (2021). The College monitors and revises Standards regularly through its committees, subcommittees, focus groups, and panels. The College consults with registrants and the public to ensure the Standards include core practice elements before seeking approval by the College\u2019s Board of Directors. Registrant input is vital to ensuring the Standards reflect changing practice environments and expectations. Data from College committees and program areas such as Investigations and Resolutions, Quality Assurance, Registration, and the Practice Resource Service helps the College keep the Standards current.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Standards are used<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clients and the public<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Occupational therapy clients and the public use the Standards to understand what they can expect from occupational therapists. These expectations include knowing that services are being provided in ways that are accessible, culturally sensitive, equitable, and inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The College<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The College uses the Standards in all statutory programs to ensure that applicants and registrants have the competencies and skills to practise effectively, to address questions or concerns about a registrant\u2019s practice, and to review and support the provision of quality services. Failure to comply with the Standards constitutes professional misconduct (Ontario Regulation 95\/07<\/em>, s. 1 [1]). The College\u2019s Practice Resource Service is available as an additional resource to help registrants and the public if they have questions about the Standards and occupational therapy practice. The Practice Service is confidential and available at 416-214-1177 or practice@coto.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occupational therapists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clinical and non-clinical occupational therapists are expected to use these Standards in their daily practice and, when requested by the College, be able to demonstrate how their practice meets the performance indicators. Occupational therapists must be able to provide a reasonable rationale when a Standard was not met, including when contextual factors required a deviation from the expectations. In applying the Standards, occupational therapists must use professional judgement in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n