Meet ACOT

Occupational Therapists enable and empower people to participate in everyday life, helping them engage in the activities that matter the most. Whether it’s learning to drive again, managing anxiety, or regaining the ability to hold a pencil, Occupational Therapists (OTs) encourage and facilitate their clients in doing the things in life they need to do and want to do. It’s about doing more and living better.

In Canada, Occupational Therapy is a self-regulated profession. That is exactly why we, the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (or simply, the College), exist. We aim to protect and serve the public by ensuring they have access to competent and ethical occupational therapists.

We are governed by a Council that includes Occupational Therapists elected by their peers, and members of the public appointed by the Alberta government. To learn more about council decisions, look at our Directory of Motions .

Has anything unexpected happen when working with an OT?

I enjoy working with my OT because it doesn't feel like work. It's fun.
Monica Chesney, Client

Roles & Responsibilities

If you’re aware of ACOT, you may also be familiar with SAOT or CAOT. Or maybe we lost you back at the first acronym! Here’s the breakdown: We are ACOT, or the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists. We are a regulatory body that protects and serves the public interest by ensuring, through a variety of measures, that all Occupational Therapists provide competent and ethical services to Albertans. We also handle any concerns or complaints about Occupational Therapists. SAOT is the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists. They provide membership services and promote Occupational Therapy to Albertans. SAOT is a voluntary, non-regulatory body that offers networking and educational opportunities for its members, as well as advocacy for OT to government, insurers and the public. CAOT is The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. They provide services, products, events and networking opportunities to assist Occupational Therapists in achieving excellence in their professional practice. CAOT also offers leadership to actively develop and promote the client-centered profession of Occupational Therapy in Canada and internationally.

Roles	ACOT	SAOT	CAOT
Protection of the public; investigate concerns raised about registrants practice	•
Information to the public about such topics as qualifications for "entry into practice" etc.	•
Contribute to development and updating of national OT ''''''''competencies'''''''' and ''''''''standards'''''''' documents	•
Publish inter-provincial documents/agreements as appropriate (e.g., agreement on internal trade)	•
Standards of Practice (Provincial) - establish programs and guidelines that promote competent and ethical OT practice (e.g., continuing competency program)	•
License Occupational Therapists, set standards for entry to practice	•
Maintain a practice advisor	•
Assure public of Occupational Therapists'''''''' ability and show profession''''''''s due diligence	•
Keeping Occupational Therapists informed about relevant (changes to current and new) federal and provincial legislation (e.g., privacy, persons in care, etc.)	•	•	•
Advocating/Marketing for Occupational Therapy to consumers and consumer groups		•	•
Administer national certification exam			•
Represent Occupational Therapists on national committees			•
Facilitate malpractice insurance			•
Assist in human resource planning for profession			•
Accreditation of educational programs			•
Publish relevant research and articles of interest (CJOT & OT Now)			•
Maintain a website of interest to consumers	•	•	•
Help public find an Occupational Therapist		•	•
Facilitate Occupational Therapists'''''''' networking		•	•
Link for COTF for funding of research		•	•
Sponsor and facilitate education		•	•
Disseminate pertinent practice and practical information through communication networks		•	•
Local/provincial advocacy for Occupational Therapy		•
Represent Occupational Therapists at provincial interdisciplinary committees/boards		•
Facilitate an "on the ground" Occupational Therapist community		•
Recognize Occupational Therapists among their peers for outstanding practice and contribution to society		•
Provide information to Occupational Therapists on accessing local resources		•
Facilitate local level practice interest groups		•

Governance

Under the Health Professions Act (HPA), the Council is responsible for governing the profession in the public`s interest. Council carries out this responsibility by developing and adhering to Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and Bylaws.

Elected Councilors

Want to reach one of our council members? Email council@acot.ca.

Elizabeth Taylor

President – Edmonton

Click here to read bio

Kerstin Hurd

Councillor – Calgary

Click here to read bio

Karen Blumenstock

Councillor – Tilley

Andrea Petryk

Councillor – Sherwood Park

Jennifer Lee

Councillor – Calgary

Sheron Parmar

Councillor – Edmonton

Tiffany Poltz

Public Member – Calgary

For election information, see below for Council Election.

I love meeting clients from various backgrounds and walks of life, it educates me about the people in the world and their lifestyles.
Amy Halpenny, OT

Council Election

The term in office for a councilor is three years. Regulated OTs of the College are eligible to stand for election if they have practiced Occupational Therapy for a minimum of one year. To stand for election, a regulated OT must complete a nomination form. Each nomination must be endorsed with signatures from three members entitled to vote, together with the nominated individual’s written consent to act if elected. Regulated OTs interested in standing for election or requiring more information should contact the Chair, Nominations Committee at: council@acot.ca.

ACOT Staff

Peter Portlock

Interim Registrar

Patricia Wheadon

Assistant Registrar

Kirsten Ash

Program Manager

Meron Gebremikael

Financial Assistant

Mallory Foreman

Administrative Assistant