Diagnosis Update
During its March 24, 2025, meeting, ACOT’s Council voted in favour of acknowledging OTs’ ability to establish diagnoses once they have successfully met specific requirements, most notably the completion of a course of study on diagnosis that is approved by Council. The course is intended to contribute to registrants’ competence in establishing diagnoses, with emphasis on risk management and client safety. OTs who complete the course and meet the additional requirements (e.g., years of practice, good standing) to be outlined in a forthcoming ACOT Standard of Practice, may then apply for authorization to establish and communicate a diagnosis within occupational therapy practice.
Dr. Miini Teng has been contracted for the course development; Miini is an occupational therapist and resident physician with a focus on interprofessional education, diagnostic reasoning, and scope-safe clinical practice. Her project work centers on developing competency-based training that supports safe assessment and diagnostic processes within regulated rehabilitation settings, aligned with applicable provincial legislation and college standards.
Three out of eight course modules have now been developed and reviewed by Council and the Diagnosis Course Advisory Committee.
Roll out of the diagnosis course for OTs, and the related changes in OT practice requires consultation and development of a Standard of Practice proportional to the potential system-level impacts. Consultations with a broad range of key partners are being planned for the coming months, and these consultations will occur while the diagnosis course continues being developed. Online open forums, in-person events and surveys will be used for the consultations – keep an eye on your eNews for opportunities to participate! Results of the consultations will inform a Diagnosis Standard of Practice that will be submitted to the Government of Alberta for review.
One Year Temporary Full Time Contract Position with ACOT
ACOT is seeking a Regulation & Engagement Coordinator to work on editing standards of practice, codes of ethics, policies, procedures, practice guidelines and other content. These edits will be done to align with the requirements in Bill 13 Regulated Professions Neutrality Act.
The role will also be responsible for coordination of engagement sessions involving multiple key partners. The full opportunity profile can be viewed here.