Standards of Practice
The College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba sets standards of practice that registered occupational therapists are required to meet. This ensures the public is provided with safe and ethical practice by competent occupational therapists.
In Manitoba the standards of practice for occupational therapists are guided by the following documents:
Code of Ethics
The COTM Code of Ethics guides occupational therapy practice. This code helps:
- Occupational therapists keep the client’s welfare as the primary concern in all decision making.
- Provide you with information about the basic ethical care and services you can expect from a registered occupational therapist.
- Guide the establishment of standards and guidelines for the profession’s regulatory responsibilities and activities.
- Occupational therapists are expected to be familiar with this code and to integrate it into their day-to-day practice.
Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada
The Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada, released December 1, 2021, reflect the broad range of skills and abilities required of all occupational therapists in Canada at every stage of their career. They also serve to guide a variety of professional quality assurance processes such as provincial regulatory activities, accreditation of educational programs, entry-level examinations, and continuing professional development.
Essential Competencies of Practice for Occupational Therapists in Canada – 3rd Edition
The Essential Competencies of Practice for Occupational Therapists in Canada - 3rd Edition, most often referred to as the Essential Competencies describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required for an occupational therapist to practise safely, effectively, and ethically.
The document was developed nationally by the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) and are considered the standards for occupational therapists in many provinces in Canada.
COTM By-laws
The COTM By-laws primarily direct the work of the college. The by-laws do, however, include a section on Member Obligations with important guiding information for members.
The Occupational Therapists Act
The Occupational Therapists Act guides the work of COTM. There are some significant provisions to which COTM members must adhere.
Representation as an occupational therapist
3(1) No person except an occupational therapist shall
(a) represent or hold out, expressly or by implication, that he or she is an occupational therapist or is entitled to engage in the practice of occupational therapy as an occupational therapist; or
(b) use any sign, display, title or advertisement implying that he or she is an occupational therapist.
Use of titles
3(2) No person except an occupational therapist shall use the title “occupational therapist”, a variation or abbreviation of that title, or an equivalent in another language.
Duty of members to report
64(1) A member who believes that another member is suffering from a physical or mental condition or disorder of a nature or to an extent that the member is unfit to continue to practise or that the member's practice should be restricted, shall inform the registrar of that belief and the reasons for it.
Exemption from liability for disclosure
64(2) A member who discloses information under subsection (1) is not subject to any liability as a result, unless it is established that the disclosure was made maliciously.