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Practising in Ontario

Occupational therapy is a vibrant and valued component of Ontario's health care system. Approximately 3900 occupational therapists work in the province in varied settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, mental health centres, community based services, nursing homes, schools, industry, and in private practice where they may provide direct services, education, consultation, research activity, sales or administrative services.

Regulation of Occupational Therapy Practice

The profession of occupational therapy is regulated in the province under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Occupational Therapy Act, 1991. Individuals who practice as an occupational therapist must be registered with the regulatory body, the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). Unless registered, the title of occupational therapist cannot be used. The scope of occupational therapy practice is defined in the OT Act but is not protected and remains in the public domain as are the scopes of practice of other regulated health professions in the province. Ontario's health professions regulation focuses on the regulation of key activities deemed potentially riskful to the public. These activities, identified as "controlled acts", are restricted to delegated professions. The profession of occupational therapy is not delegated to perform any of the 13 designated controlled acts.

The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) has a mandate to protect the public interest by regulating practice. Registration assures the public that the occupational therapist has met entry-to-practice requirements, and meets the College's standards of practice and quality assurance requirements. A complaints and discipline process assures the public of a means through which they may address concerns they may have about occupational therapy services they have received.

Occupational Therapists seeking to work in Ontario are encouraged to engage the COTO registration process early as the paper work transfer can be time consuming. The College may be contacted at 1-800-890-6570 or 416-214-1177. Visit the COTO website and contact them via email at info@coto.org.

One component of the COTO registration requirements is the successful completion of a certification exam. This exam is currently administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) and is administered twice annually in July and November. Contact the CAOT for information regarding the examination registration process and upcoming dates. In the event that it is not possible to write or successfully complete the exam in advance of seeking employment in Ontario, COTO does make provision for a Provisional Practising Certificate which enables individuals to seek employment but requires a mechanism for supervision from a registered occupational therapist. Provisional registrants are required to write the next available exam following their registration.

A further requirement of College registration is that applicants carry a liability insurance policy that provides for a Sexual Abuse Therapy and Counselling Fund Endorsement. This allows the College to meet its legislated obligations to provide financial support to any consumer that may be sexually abused by a registered occupational therapist. The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists provides a comprehensive professional liability insurance program which includes this coverage. It also includes insurance that protects you in the event of a legal suit or a complaint or any regulatory proceeding which relates to you. Occupational therapists living outside of Ontario may join OSOT as Associate Members and have full access to member benefits such as the Liability Insurance program.

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) is the provincial professional association. Where the College of Occupational Therapists exists to serve and protect the public, OSOT exists to serve and represent the professional - over 2500 member occupational therapists and student occupational therapists! Refer to About OSOT for further information.

In Canada, national health care policy provides the framework for health service delivery but it is the responsibility of the provinces to manage the services and systems of health and social service delivery. It is important to be aware of policy and trends at the provincial level as policy decisions and implementation affects the day to day practice of occupational therapy.

Job Opportunities in Ontario

Employment opportunities for occupational therapists in Ontario are good, particularly in smaller city centres, rural and northern Ontario. The following information may be useful in making a employment move to or within the province.

1. See Careers section for postings of currently available positions.
   
   
2. The Ontario Hospital Association's website at has an Internet job posting feature for Ontario hospitals called HIREHealthcare. This website is also useful to access names and addresses of Ontario hospitals which may be useful for a job search. A complete listing of Ontario hospitals by geographic region is found at OHA Hospital Locator.
   
   
3. The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)'s website also hosts a job listing network for employment opportunities across Canada.
   
   
4. OSOT's Interest Group List is useful to identify interest groups in the province which may be valuable contacts for specific practice advice re employment. Jobs vacancies are often communicated by word of mouth, so the interest group network can be very useful. The individuals who have identified themselves as a contact are pleased to be contacted with requests for information, etc. See Members Only Interest Group or contact the OSOT office for a copy.
   
   
5. OSOT makes member labels available for sale for approved recruitment purposes. Members of OSOT receive these mailings unless they stipulate that they wish their names removed from these mailing lists.
   
   
6. Community based home care services are largely out sourced by regional Community Care Access Centres (CCACs). If this is an area of practice in which you are interested, search a listing of CCACs at www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/contact/ccac/ccacloc_mn.html.