Professionalism – the Big Conversation

Submitted by abrown on Thu, 15/03/2012 - 11:44

An update on our Big Conversation on Professionalism, after Karen Middleton, Chief Health Professions Officer, charged us all to have the Big Conversation about Professionalism, saying:

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New Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy launched online

Submitted by abrown on Tue, 08/11/2011 - 16:16

The College of Occupational Therapists has launched a new online edition of the Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice (2011), it comes as Occupational Therapists across the UK celebrate Occupational Therapy week, 7 – 13 November.

The Standards set out core guidance for best practice in Occupational Therapy and define a level of excellence for evaluating and auditing Occupational Therapy provision.  

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Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice

Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice written by  Henny Pearmain, freelance writer. hennypearmain@gmail.com

The College would like to thank all those involved in the redevelopment of the Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice

 

In particular:

Audit progress log and audit tools for each section of the Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice

 

Audit Progress Log

Right click and save Audit Tool Progress LogRight click and save Professional Standards Audit Tool - Progress Log

 

References and bibliography for Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice (2011 revision)

References 

Atwal A (2002) A world apart: how occupational therapists, nurses and care managers perceive each other in acute health care. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(10), 446-452.
 
Caparo Industries Plc v Dickman [1990] 2 AC 605 (HL).
 
Care Quality Commission (2010) Guidance about compliance: essential standards of quality and safety. London: CQC.
 
Christiansen CH, Townsend EA eds (2004) Introduction to occupation: the art and science of living. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Key legislation relating to professional standards

Safeguarding legislation

  • Great Britain. Parliament (1989) Children Act 1989. London: HMSO.
  • Great Britain. Parliament (2004) Children Act 2004. London: Stationery OfficeGreat Britain. Northern Ireland (1968) Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968. London: HMSO. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1968/34 Accessed 31.05.11.

Key terms used in the professional standards and professional standards audit tool

Quick links to specific key terms:

Key areas of management responsibility that all practitioners have

All occupational therapy practitioners have some element of management within their work, whether it is of themselves, their time, their own immediate environment, or a broader responsibility for others. As a practitioner you are accountable for the ‘governance’, or the quality, safety and appropriateness of the service(s) you provide.
 
The principles of governance apply equally to all occupational therapists, in all settings.  You have a duty to provide an occupational therapy service of the highest competence, safety, quality and value.

The importance of good communication

Effective communication is central to all therapeutic interaction and is increasingly identified in standards of health and social care. The right of an individual to use their language of choice is also recognised. The quality of your communication may affect the outcomes of the care that you provide and is known to make a difference to the satisfaction that your service users feel (Priest et al 2005, p236).

Your need to cultivate inclusive and collaborative relationships

Good professional relationships can make the difference between practice that is successful and fulfilling, or frustrating and ineffective. You need to cultivate inclusive and collaborative working relationships with your service users and their carers, your colleagues and those with whom you only communicate occasionally.