Professor Sylvia Rodger Chief Investigator
The Entry Level Competencies describe what you can expect from a graduating occupational therapist, regardless of their area of practice upon graduation. These are the minimum standards that we all possess upon graduation that we continue to build upon throughout our professional careers.
OT Australia provided funding (2009-2010) for a revision of the OT Australia Competencies (1994) based on the recommendations of a research project undertaken 2007-2008 by Rodger, Clark, O’Brien, Martinez funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC). The outcomes of this research and key recommendations are summarized in two papers in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal:
Rodger, S., Clark, M., Banks, R., O’Brien, M., & Martinez, K. (2009). A Comparison of International Occupational Therapy Competencies: Implications for Australian Standards in the new Millenium. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56: 372-383.
Rodger, S., Clark, M., Banks, R., O’Brien, M., & Martinez, K. (2009). A national evaluation of the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (1994): A multi-stakeholder perspective. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56: 384-392.
The aims of the current project being undertaken by Professor Sylvia Rodger, Professor Susan Ryan and Project Officers Ms Bec Banks and Mrs Liz Springfield are:
To capitalise on the national support, interest and momentum generated by the preliminary scoping investigation and proceed with revision of the Australian Competency Standards for Entry Level Occupational Therapists © (OT Australia, 1994) in accordance with the nationally endorsed recommendations to align the document with contemporary practice standards and requirements.
To maintain the consultative and collaborative approach established by the initial investigation, to create a revised Competency Standards document that embodies national perspectives.
To consolidate the professional connections established between the project and the key representative professional groups (COTRB, OT Australia, ANZCOTE, ANZOTFA and the 14 Australian OT School) via advisory groups, and ensure that it is a mutually beneficial engagement which enables opportunities for the revision of the competency standards to align with agenda for national curricula, accreditation of national OT programs, and registration requirements.
To convene working groups whose participants represent the broad and diverse interests of national practice, so that the revisions resonate with all national interests.
To present a revised edition of the Competency Standards based on the recommendations of the preliminary scoping investigation and the further collaborative efforts of national stakeholders and professional groups, to OT Australia within 12 months.
The Project Team is working with a Steering Committee from OT Australia (Mr Chris Kennedy, Ms Rebecca Allen) and a Reference Group (ANZCOTE heads, representative from ANZOTFA, and COTRB). A first draft of the revised competencies (based on recommendations from the previous project after consultation with over 150 individual stakeholders) will be finalized by the end of February 2010, for comment. It is anticipated that key stakeholders and focus group members involved in the ALTC project 2007-2008 will be contacted. In addition, comment from all areas of the profession would be beneficial. If you are interested in commenting on the first draft of the revision please contact Mrs Springfield (e.springfield@uq.edu.au) to register your interest. We anticipate that a second draft will be circulated in June/July 2010 for final comments prior to submission to National Council.
If you have further questions, please contact Occupational Therapy Australia at 03 9415 2900 or policy@ausot.com.au
.JPG "AON")