ACOTE® Seeks New Accreditation Evaluators

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Applications due August 20, 2021

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) is seeking new members for the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators (RAE). RAE members evaluate the compliance of more than 500 occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs with ACOTE Accreditation Standards through on-site evaluations and online reviews. Their work provides ACOTE with the necessary information to make accreditation decisions, and helps to ensure the competency of future occupational therapy practitioners.

ACOTE is placing a strategic emphasis on expanding the diversity of the practice and education settings, and the education levels represented on the RAE. Occupational therapy clinicians are especially needed and are strongly encouraged to apply.

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

  • have at least 5 years of experience as an occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapist, including 3 years of experience in an RAE area of representation (OTA-/OTM-/OTD-level education; OTA/OT practice; OTA/OT fieldwork education, or other specialization);
  • be a current member in good standing of AOTA or commit to joining AOTA in order to participate in the RAE; and
  • not hold concurrent positions on any AOTA policy-making or decision-making body, to include the Representative Assembly, Board of Directors, and Ethics Commission. In addition, RAE members may not hold a position in a credentialing capacity (e.g., National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy [NBCOT®] Executive Board member or Certification Examination Item Writer).

Duties and Responsibilities

Applicants selected for membership to the RAE must attend the 2½-day Accreditation Evaluator Workshop in January 2022 for training on how to evaluate programs and use ACOTE Online. Newly trained evaluators will begin a 3½-year RAE membership term after completing the Accreditation Evaluator Workshop in January 2022. RAE members are expected to participate in on-site accreditation evaluations and complete online reviews as scheduled. (On-site evaluations are typically conducted over 2½ days, and travel expenses related to these visits are reimbursable. The hours required to complete online reviews depends on the type of review, quality of the report being reviewed, and experience of the reviewer.) Members are also expected to participate in ongoing educational trainings and remain in compliance with all ACOTE volunteer policies. 

Application Process

If you or someone you know would be well suited for this volunteer position, you may complete the RAE Application for Membership and upload a current CV no later than August 20, 2021. E-mail accred@aota.org for any questions. 

Selection Process

Applications will be accepted by the AOTA Accreditation Department until August 20, 2021. The ACOTE Executive Committee, in collaboration with AOTA Accreditation staff, will review all applications for eligibility. A final list of eligible applicants will be reviewed by ACOTE, and all applicants, whether selected or not, will be informed of ACOTE’s decision in September 2021.