Get Ready for OT Month!"

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2011 Poster Series - OT Month

Order this new series of five posters. Posters are printed in full color and target a variety of audiences and specific areas:
Geriatric - Work-related - Pediatric - Sports - School-based - Mental Health
Just $22 plus GST and shipping.

ORDER HERE

About SAOT

Become a Member

The Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists (SAOT) was formed in 2003 to provide membership services and promote occupational therapy to Albertans. SAOT is a voluntary, non-regulatory body that provides networking and education opportunities for its members as well as advocating for occupational therapy to government, insurers, and the public.

Our Mission

SAOT is dedicated to the wellbeing of all Albertans. We are the vehicle to drive practice, shape capacity and grow the profession of occupational therapy in Alberta -- by bridging research, practice, advocacy and policy.

Our Vision

Network, educate and advocate -- building occupational therapy for the community…

Our Role

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The primary objectives of SAOT are:

  • To conduct the activities, affairs, management, and government of the Society, including a registry of members to facilitate mentoring and networking;
  • To promote and assist in maintaining a high standard of occupational therapy practice through continuing education and awarding of research grants to members of the Society;
  • To disseminate information pertinent to occupational therapy;
  • To receive bequests, donations, grants of money and to raise moneys by membership fees, public subscription or any other manner that is not contrary to the federal and provincial laws of Canada for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the Society;
  • To promote generally the practice of occupational therapy; to represent the benefits and value of occupational therapy to other professionals, health disciplines, societies and associations, consumer groups, and Albertans, and;
  • Any specific objectives, which the Board may from time to time adopt in support of these general objectives of the Society.

CAOT, ACOT and SAOT - Roles & Responsibilities


Roles CAOT SAOT ACOT
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 safe, 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 * *
Administers 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 *

SAOT Board of Directors

Laura Budzak, President
Lisa Paton, Interim Vice President
Kelly McIlroy, Director
Evelyne Pilger, Director
Robin Telasky, Ex Officio (Executive Director)
Jutta Hinrichs, CAOT Rep-Ex Officio
Dr. Cary Brown, U of A Occupational Therapy Dept Rep - Ex Officio
Sylvia Wilson, Director
Wing-Yin Grace Law, U of A Student Rep
Doreen Thom, Director
Heather Chilton, Past President
Angela Topping, Secretary

Contact the board of directors at president@saot.ca

Committees & Special Interest

Committees

Education Committee

Chair - Doreen Thom
education@saot.ca

Awards Committee

Chair - Sylvia Wilson
awards@saot.ca

Marketing & Advocacy

Chair - Ruth Isaac
marketing@saot.ca

Special Interest

Alberta Occupational Therapy Pain Network

Thanks to funding from the Canadian Pain Society, SEARCH Canada and the Dept of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta, we are able to bring together a group of occupational therapists interested in forming a network to support each other in working with clients who have pain. At our first meeting (March 2009) we had a presentation by the UK artist Deborah Padfield who talked about the role of digital photography as therapeutic media for persons to express their pain.

We also developed a resource list and plans to continue regular email resource exchange. If you would like a copy of the resource and/or would like to join the network please contact Cary Brown - cary.brown@ualberta.ca Pediatric Special Interest Group (Edmonton)

The Edmonton and Area Occupational Therapy Pediatric Interest Group focuses on professional development and learning opportunities related to current practice issues. All interested rehabilitation therapists and assistants are invited to attend bimonthly presentations held September through May.

Please contact Nicole Ebbesen Rowan, Occupational Therapist at believe-ot@gmail.com for more information and/or to be added to the networking e-mail list, and to receive information about upcoming presentations and other professional development opportunities.

Pediatric Special Interest Group (Calgary)

The Edmonton and Calgary Occupational Therapy Pediatric Interest Groups have joined forces to create and maintain the Alberta OT Pediatric Interest Group Blog: http://ab-ot-pedintgroup.blogspot.com

This blog replaces the multiple email lists that were previously used to share information about professional development, job postings, clinical discussions and other information related to pediatric Occupational Therapy practice. If you would like information to be posted on the blog, please email ab.ot.pedintgroup@gmail.com and please specify if you do not want your email address or phone number to be shared. All Occupational Therapists and others previously on the email list-serves are encouraged to sign up for an email subscription on the blog in order to receive all information by email. Please see the page “How Does This Blog Work?” for further details regarding sharing and receiving information.

The Calgary Occupational Therapy Pediatric Interest Group continues to meet approximately 4 to 5 times per year, rotating the host facility each meeting. The group meets for professional development through formalized talks and informal sharing of information related to pediatric services. We provide a regular opportunity for networking with colleagues who are willing to share information regarding their areas of expertise. Information about upcoming meetings will be posted on the Alberta OT Pediatric Interest Group blog. Please contact Heather McKenzie (O.T.) at bhmck@shaw.ca for more information on the Calgary group.

The Edmonton and Area Occupational Therapy Pediatric Interest Group hopes to resume professional development and networking meetings soon! Any information will be posted on the blog. Please contact Nicole Ebbesen Rowan at believe.ot@gmail.com for more information on the Edmonton group.

Medical-Legal Private Practice Special Interest Group

The Medical-Legal Private Practice Special Interest Group is a network of occupational therapist actively engaged, or interested in, medical legal private practice. The group meets twice a year for an all-day meeting to provide education related to this area of practice, enhance our knowledge of resources, promote high standards of practice and to maintain a spirit of cooperation among colleagues. Occupational therapists or OT students may attend meetings whether or not they are actively engaged in medical legal private practice. For more information please contact Joan Appelt at joanneappelt@cs.com

Organization of Occupational Therapists in Continuing Care (OOTCC)

The Organization of Occupational Therapists in Continuing Care (OOTCC) is an Edmonton and area interest group. The group meets monthly (usually the third Wednesday of the month) except for July and August. All OT's working in continuing care are welcome to attend meetings. The meetings provide an opportunity to network and share ideas with colleagues. The group also offers an educational component through network sessions organized three times a year. Network session topics and presenters are decided by the group. The cost for the session is minimal. Meeting and network session information is circulated via fax. For more information or to update the OOTCC fax list please contact Susan Groves at (780) 460-6912.