ACOTE® Seeks New Accreditation Evaluators

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.

Calling All New & Lapsed Members

To celebrate Occupational Therapy Month this April, we are inviting all new & lapsed members to join MOTA at a discounted rate.

$55 for OTs
$45 for OTAs
$25 for retired OT professionals
$20 for students

Why join MOTA?

– MOTA’s primary expense is our lobbying team, which reviews all legislation to identify potential impact on our practice and clients in Maryland. Did you know Maryland is often considered at the forefront of pro-OT legislation, including this year’s OT Interstate Licensure Compact bill? This fact is directly tied to our very active Advocacy Committee and our lobbyists, Public Policy Partners. Thanks to YOUR membership dues, we can afford this essential service.

– Your Maryland Occupational Therapy Association membership provides you with CEUs at our frequent Hot Topic events and allows you to network with other occupational therapists in the state. 

– MOTA efforts benefit all occupational therapy professionals in Maryland. However, less than 10% are paid MOTA members! Please support your profession through your membership.

At the guidance of AOTA’s research, we are offering single-year, automatically renewed memberships (with the exception of students). This model makes maintaining your membership easier for you and the organization. Each year, you will be notified ahead of time so that you can opt-out or update your card information. It’s never been easier to become a member and stay a member of the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association.

Don’t wait! This discounted membership rate is only good for the month of April. 

New & lapsed OTs and OTAs should use this coupon code to save $10: otmonthsave10

New & lapsed retired professionals and students should use this coupon code to save $5: otmonthsave5

And don’t forget, MOTA has a Hot Topic event on April 7th for Evaluation and Treatment of Common Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Conditions that is FREE for members. You can join MOTA and register for this event today for a savings of as much as $20!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email our VP of Membership, Nicole Powels.
Join MOTA Now

Directions for How to Contact your State Representatives

STEP 1: Go to: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Find my Representatives – Look up

STEP 2: Enter your address and zip code

STEP 3: Once your representatives pop up, scroll down to Maryland Legislative District (if you go to Maryland Congressional District, you’ll get U.S. representatives and not state representatives)

Sample (you’ll have different representatives listed depending on your district)

STEP 4: From individual representative links, locate the email address and EITHER cut and paste the address into your email or click on the address (clicking on the address may take you to a different provider for your email).

STEP 5: Paste your letter into the email AND add as an attachment.

STEP 6: Hit send and you are done.

STEP 7: Let everyone know you sent your letters by posting to MOTA’s Facebook group! We’re going to track posts and raffle off a year MOTA membership.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY!

MOTA Compact Letter to Representative DRAFT

January [ENTER DATE], 2021

Dear [Ms./Mr.] [ENTER LAST NAME],

I am writing in support of the Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (SB0139/HB TBD). The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) created the interstate professional licensing compact for occupational therapists to support license portability. As an occupational therapist, I agree that the Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact bill would support members of my profession across state lines to provide continuity of care, improve access to occupational therapy services, and support relocation of occupational therapy professionals.

We understand that this Licensure Compact will go into effect once 10 states pass identical legislation. The Maryland Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) has also expressed support for this bill, placing Maryland at the forefront of this legislation and advancing the interests of occupational therapists in Maryland and surrounding areas. We are certain that legislation will soon be introduced in both Delaware and Virginia, with Pennsylvania soon to follow, which incentivizes Maryland even further to take a lead in a regional approach to OT licensing. As a state bordering four other states and the District of Columbia, many occupational therapists stand to benefit from this legislation. Ease of practicing across state lines will allow traveling therapists, military families, and telehealth providers to improve access to care for all types of clients. The OT Compact will increase licensure portability while allowing member state regulatory boards to better protect consumers through enhanced sharing of licensure information. Existing interstate occupational licensure compacts have been successful in reducing barriers for practitioners who wish to provide services in other states.

It is important to note that the OT Compact preserves each member state’s authority to regulate the profession. Practitioners utilizing the OT Compact must abide by the laws and rules of the state in which they are practicing, including adhering to that state’s scope of practice.

In addition, [IF POSSIBLE, CUSTOMIZE WITH YOUR OWN EXAMPLES OF HOW THE COMPACT WOULD ALLOW YOUR PATIENTS TO MORE EASILY RECEIVE CARE, OR YOU TO PROVIDE CARE IN STATES OTHER THAN MARYLAND]

Thank you for considering my support of SB0139 – The Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. I look forward to your support for this bill.

Sincerely,

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

[ADD YOUR NAME

YOUR TITLE

YOUR FACILITY NAME]

Interstate Professional Licensing Compact for Occupational Therapists

SB/139

Overview and Timeline

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in partnership with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and the Council of State Governments (CSG), has created an interstate professional licensing compact for occupational therapy to address licensure portability.  The purpose of the Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy (OT) with the goal of improving public access to OT services.  An interstate licensing compact would not change state occupational therapy practice acts or the scope of practice.

In order to enter into the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, each participating state must pass identical legislation.  The Compact will go into effect once 10 states enact legislation.  Once enacted, a newly created Occupational Therapy Compact Commission would administer the Compact, including developing bylaws and a code of ethics; and overseeing administrative tasks, including hiring staff and managing the Compact’s data system.

How Does Licensure Portability Work Under A Compact

A compact is a legal agreement between states, which will allow licensed OTs and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Maryland to practice in other states that join the compact.  Currently, OTs and OTAs must obtain licensure in each state in which they want to practice. 

OTs licensed in Maryland would still be required to meet all licensure requirements set out by the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.  In addition, OTs licensed in other states would be subject to Maryland’s laws and regulations when providing services in Maryland through the compact. 

Improving Consumer Access While Addressing Workforce Shortages

Among the many benefits of enacting an interstate compact, the primary benefits to consumers and health care providers are to: 

  1. Improve access to OT services through facilitating the use of telehealth across state lines.  The increase of telehealth over the past several years has led to a myriad of differing state laws.  Even where workforce shortages exist, this patchwork means many consumers are unable to access services via telehealth from an OT if they are not located in the same state.  This is due to the confusion among OTs on when and how they can provide telehealth services across state lines.  Compacts provide guidance on how health care professionals can provide services through telehealth, while allowing states to retain their own rules.    
  2. Improve continuity of care, including for specialty services.  One of the major benefits of establishing a compact in Maryland is to allow consumers to access their provider, whether through telehealth or in-person, when they reside or relocate to a border state.  There are several examples of how this benefits consumers:
    1. A child with a disability or complex medical need can continue to see their regular OT that they have a treatment relationship with if they are temporarily sent to an out-out-state care facility for treatment.
    1. Medical systems that cover multiple border states can more readily recruit OTs to see patients in their homes or other community settings without the burden of obtaining and retaining multiple state licenses.
    1. An older adult who moves to another state to live with relatives can continue to access OT services via telehealth, including consulting with family members on environmental adaptations to the home.
    1. A consumer who requires a specialist out-of-state can readily receive pre- and post- treatment and consultation via telehealth, reducing the burden to travel to every appointment.
  3. Support the relocation of OT professionals, particularly military spouses.  As each state has its own unique rules regarding reciprocity, delays in obtaining licensure are commonplace when moving from one state to another.  Compacts have the benefit of ensuring that OTs will be able to more readily begin providing services when relocating, while still meeting an agreed upon set of education and training standards. 
  4. Assist in the recruitment of OTs.  Building on #3 above, having an expedited process for OTs to work in multiple states allows health facilities and other employers to more readily recruit OTs from out-of-state.  OTs will no longer be required to reapply for licensure when relocating, which is often a barrier for health employers trying to recruit. 

See the Council of State Governments for more information about licensure compacts.

New Student Representative Needed Beginning 2021

My name is Marley Merrick, and I am the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) student representative. I finished by bachelor’s degree in occupation and well-being in May 2020, and have since been working on my master’s degree in occupational therapy. I have been the student rep for MOTA since 2018, and have loved being part of this board and organization. Unfortunately, my term as student rep will come to an end in December. Although I am sad about my term ending, I am excited about starting my level two fieldworks, starting my career, and getting married all in 2021! 

I decided to become the student rep in 2018 because I wanted to learn more about OT and the profession outside of the classroom. Within my two years of being on the board, I have learned so much that has only added to my academic education. I have been able to work alongside my professors and other great OTs, advocate for the profession in Annapolis, MD, listen and learn from AOTA board members, help plan and run out annual conference, and listen to great seminars and presentations from OTs around Maryland. I believe that everything I have learned in these two years, in addition to my academic education, has only benefitted me for my upcoming career as an OT. 

The MOTA board is looking for another OT or OTA student to take over my position, starting in January 2021. Have faith when I say that joining the MOTA board and organization will only better you, your education, and future career as an OT/OTA. If anyone would like any more information about joining the MOTA board, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at mmerri5@students.towson.edu. Otherwise, please send us an email at all4mota@gmail.com for more information about how you can apply. 

District Survey

We are considering re-implementing districts and district representatives within MOTA to increase leadership and networking opportunities.  In the past, districts have delivered continuing education, networking opportunities, membership recruitment, and outreach on the community level. We are trying to determine the needs and interests of our members. We value your feedback!

Please help us plan by taking this quick District Survey.

Public Policy Partners COVID-19 Resources Occupational Therapy Update

We are pleased to share this helpful resource from MOTA’s lobbyists. To help navigate the information stream coming from all levels of government and the private sector in response to COVID-19, Public Policy Partners has collected and shared information and resources that may benefit practitioners and Marylanders. Please see these comprehensive resources and the occupational therapy specific information below. 

  1. Telehealth
    1. All healthcare professionals can use synchronous or asynchronous tele-therapy technology for NEW and EXISTING patients under specific regulations
      1. The practitioner is licensed in Maryland
      2. The practitioner is working under a facility that was authorized through the Governor’s Executive Order 
    2. Medicaid Reimbursement: covers broad telecommunication including audio only phone calls
      1. Patients are allowed to be located in their homes
      2. Somatic care may be completed through telephone services 
      3. IEP Services are reimbursable for tele-therapy
      4. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is now reimbursable for any somatic patient whose condition requires monitoring through RPM
    3. Private Insurance – State Regulated Plans: 
      1. Insurers must reimburse for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services
      2. Telehealth DOES NOT include audio-only or telephone-only calls
    4. Medicare: Now expanded to include patients in their homes
      1. Telehealth Visit: NOT allowed for Occupational Therapists!!!
      2. E-Visits: synchronous or asynchronous communications for established patients only and covers occupational therapy
  2. Licensure
    1. Out of State Practitioners:
      1. A practitioner who holds a license from a state other than Maryland is allowed to practice (in-person and telehealth) as long as they are working for a hospital or related institution approved by the Secretary
    2. Inactive Licenses:
      1. Allows health facilities (as defined in the Executive Order) to employ health professionals with inactive state licenses
    3. Scope of Practice:
      1. The Executive Order allows health professionals to practice outside of their scope of practice as long as it can be done safely in a facility
  3. Health Insurance
    1. The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is open until June 15, 2020 for currently uninsured or newly uninsured Maryland residents

Updated By: Alysse Zaffos, Robyn Elliott, Rachael Faulkner, and Sonia Lawson on 4/13/2020

COVID-19 Continuing Education Opportunities

AOTA is hosting a series of free virtual CE programs to equip occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students to navigate through the evolving coronavirus pandemic. This series is free for AOTA members and non-members. Earn from 1 to 1.5 contact hours per session.

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) is hosting live webinars with experts from the Tele-Medicine industry to provide clear and up-to-date information regarding telemedicine and remote monitoring in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation during the COVID-19 crisis.