Mid-Week Roundup, Ethically Speaking

Just when you thought it was safe to put away the winter coats….. Mother Nature comes along to point a finger and laugh at you.

*shakes fist at Mother Nature*

If you live in the DC area, you know what I’m talking about—last week we were all toodling about in short sleeves and reveling in the sun, and then yesterday we were digging ourselves out of the snowfall that came Monday night.

Would that I could control the weather.

But enough talk about snow and sleet, and on to happier thoughts, dreaming of springtime (plus, it seems to be warming up, which is always nice)!

I want to pass along this announcement from my colleague Deb Slater—the Ethics Commission is looking for the right candidate to fill the OT or OTA Member-At-Large position. Is that Member you? See below for more info, and think about it! If ethics are your passion, and you’ve been looking to get involved, this could be the right opportunity for you!

The Ethics Commission (EC) is seeking candidates to fill the position of OT or OTA Member- at- Large.  The term is 3 years and starts July 1, 2011.

The EC is a standing commission of the AOTA Representative Assembly. Its purpose is “To serve the Association members and public through the identification, development, review, interpretation, and education of the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards (2010) [Code and Ethics Standards] and to provide the process whereby the ethics of the Association are enforced”.  The EC develops and revises the Code and Ethics Standards as well as the Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards, in order to promote quality care and professional conduct. Additional responsibilities include informing and educating the members, volunteer leadership groups, and consumers regarding application of the Code and Ethics Standards through a variety of media.

The qualifications for the OT or OTA Member at Large are:

OT or OTA Member-at-Large

1.  Shall demonstrate interest and expertise in the area of ethics by demonstrating one or more of the following:

a.)        Being a member of a state, organizational or institutional ethics committee (can include the EC);

b.)        Writing/publishing on ethics;

            c.)        Teaching an ethics class or course;

            d.)        Presenting papers or workshops on ethics;

e.)        Serving as member of a state regulatory board; 

f.)         Documentation of having attended course(s) or workshop(s) on ethics.

2.         Shall demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in a broad/organizational context.

3.         Shall be a member in good standing of the Association and his/her election area affiliate.

4.         Shall have five years of diverse/broad experience as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant at the time of appointment.

Candidates must be prepared to engage in the Commission’s business which includes monthly conference calls, case review and adjudication and educational activities which may include participation in ethics presentations at conference(s) as well as writing ethics advisory opinions and other educational materials. The selected individual will serve a 3-year term from July 1, 2011–June 30, 2014.

If you are qualified and interested in serving on AOTA's Ethics Commission, please submit a curriculum vitae with a letter of interest outlining your specific ethics-related qualifications by May 23, 2011 to Deborah Slater at dslater@aota.org. For more information, contact Deborah Slater at dslater@aota.org, or at 1-800-729-2682 x2206.