Newsletter Issue 2 - January / February 2004
Delaware Occupational Therapy Association Newsletter
January/February 2004
http://www.dotaonline.org
Rosemary Calvert, Editor
DOTA Officers
President: Kathy Caudle
katohtee@comcast.net
302-738-3110
Vice President: Molly McGinty
mollymcgintyotr@hotmail.com
302-430-5964
Secretary: Lisa Sligh
LAC613@aol.com
Treasurer: Jane McNicholas
jem@ravenet.com
PO Box 566 Claymont DE 19703
Summary of January 13 Meeting
The meeting was attended by 13 members and 3 nonmembers. The president's report included the following:
We are still looking for a chairperson to head the guidance counselor meeting for OT month. Debbie Simmons volunteered to deliver packets to schools in her area and speak with counselors for short sessions to review packets. Nancy Broadhurst volunteered to deliver packets to guidance counselors in Sussex County and to also speak with the counselors.
Nancy Broadhurst will re-schedule the clinical educators meeting.
Elections will be held this spring for DOTA secretary and RA.
A letter from Rebuilding Together, a non profit organization that rehabilitates home of low income families is included in this mailing. Help in home modification assessment is requested.
Attendees received contact hours for participating in the Yoga and OT presentation.
Summary of February 12 Meeting Practitioners in the New Castle County area who would be able to deliver OT information packets and perhaps briefly speak with high school guidance counselors are asked to pick up packets from Jan Gorecki at Wilmington's DelTech office (302-888-5298). Thanks to Debbie Simmons and Nancy Broadhurst for helping to cover downstate Delaware.
Kelli Williams-Jones shared the most recent legislative updates. (A summary follows.)
Awards and Nomination ballots for RA and for Secretary were mailed. Your thoughtful consideration about these positions is requested.
The scholarship committee will meet at the March 9 meeting. Sitting on this decision making committee is perfect for those members who wish to contribute to DOTA, but have limited time to commit to a longer term committee.
Attendees received one contact hour for participating in the business meeting. The executive board extended its apologies because the scheduled presenter was unable to attend.
Important Dates DOTA meetings:
- March 9: Wilmington Hospital, 6:30, MS
- April 7: Kent General Rehab, 6:30, Diabetes
- May 8: DOTA conference at Poly Tech High
- June 12: Kent General Rehab (tentative), long range planning meeting, 8-12
DE Board of OT meetings:
- Wed, Mar 17
- Wed, Apr 21
- Wed, May 26
- Wed, Jun 30
- NO JULY MEETING
- Wed, Aug 4
- Wed, Sept 8
- Wed, Oct 13
- Wed, Nov 17
- NO DEC MEETING
- Board meetings may be rescheduled. Confirm meeting dates by calling 302-744-4511.
Major Decline in New OT and OTA Graduate Numbers
NBCOT reports a 75% Decline in new graduates taking the COTA Certification Exam from 1998 to 2003 (3,595 in 1998 vs. 920 in 2003). New graduates taking the OTR Certification exam declined by 39% from 2000 to 2003 (5,672 in 2000 vs. 3,480 in 2003). The projected supply of future entry-level practitioners by the U.S. Department of Labor through 2007 does not provide relief of this growing crisis. - from www.nbcot.org
Continuing Education
http://tsstss.com/
TSS will award one Contact Hour to those who read the article entitled "UTILIZING SCREENS FOR FALLS: ARE THEY ENOUGH TO IDENTIFY PERSONS AT RISK?" by Ann L. Charness, P.T., M.S. and successfully complete the Online Test. There is NO CHARGE for this CEU award.
http://www.asaging.org/webseminars
American Society on Aging, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families. Recorded online seminars are available, many of them free without CE credit, or a nominal charge for proof of participation. Audience: nursing, rehab therapy, social worker.
From: Nancy Broadhurst
302-684-2672
Chesapeake Bay Fieldwork Council Conference
Friday, April 23, 2004 8:30 - 3:30
Catonsville Campus of CCBC in H- 308 A,B,C.
CEU's : Applying to Maryland/Delaware Boards for 4 hours coursework.
Key Note Speaker: Catana (Tana) Brown
Topic: How to implement simple research into your clinical practice without interfering with productivity.
Luncheon and Business Meeting
Panel of Therapists
Presenter: Problematic Fieldwork Situations
Cost (lunch included):
$30 pre- registration through April 9th.
$35 registration received after April 9.
$40 for registration at the door.
Membership
Membership has reached the 60% level of our goal. Many thanks to those of you who found the time to mail it. Your support is vital and appreciated. Particular thanks should go to our students who are taking the time to join DOTA. Supporting your state association is a wonderful way to begin the student to professional transition. Students are always welcome to join DOTA meetings, conferences, and activities, should they manage a free moment or two from the rigors of student life.
This month's newsletter mailing will be the last that nonmembers will receive. The mailing label reflects your membership status. If your name is in black/bold, then you are a registered member for 2004. If it is in red, I have not yet received your registration. Membership cards are included in this month's envelope.
If you have not received your membership card yet, if I have misspelled your name, or if you have a question, please call Rosemary at 302-239-4259 or email at RosemaryCalvert@yahoo.com
Employment Opportunities
A reminder: membership entitles you to free postings to both the newsletter and website!
Listings:
Do you work to live or live to work? Finding a meaningful job that fits your lifestyle is a good thing. If you are ready for a refreshing change of pace and lifestyle, then it is time to look ahead to a position at one of our elite continuing care retirement communities in Delaware.
We are expanding our services and are currently seeking a part time Occupational Therapist to join our dynamic team. Requirements include Delaware licensure and a minimum of 1-2 year's experience with the geriatric population.
Cokesbury Village and Methodist Country House offers excellent part time benefits including a very competitive salary, vacation, 401K, flexible hours, free fitness center and much more! Pre-employment testing is required. Please mail, fax, or email your resume to:
Rehab Manager
c/o Cokesbury Village
726 Loveville Road
Hockessin DE 19707
302-235-6076
302-235-6125 Fax
palderson@pumh.org
Come and join the Sunrise Senior Living Team. Forwood Manor is looking for a per diem Occupational Therapist and COTA/L. We are an Independent full service community, including independent living, assisted living, and health care. We are looking for an energetic, caring individual to join our team. Please call Joanne Downie, Director of Rehabilitation Services at (302) 529-1600 x232.
Full Time / Part Time / Per Diem OTR positions available in our outpatient and assisted living centers in the Wilmington, Middletown, and Dover areas. We are looking for dynamic professionals to join our team of PTs, OTs, SLPs as we continue to expand our current rehab programs and services. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package. To find out more about what is new at Delaware Curative, please contact Deb Alexander (302) 529-7228 or email: dalexander@delawarecurative.com
RehabCare Group is currently searching for dedicated OT's and COTA's to join our team to assist with vacation coverage and other per diem needs at the BayHeath Milford Rehab location. Contact Wendy Mears for details at (302) 430-5964 or email wmot@dmv.com
BayHealth Medical Center Milford Campus is also searching for a part-time OTR to join their team to provide services to outpatients and acute care. Contact Kim Jester for details at (302) 430-5706.
PEDIATRIC OT - Delightful full-time or part-time school district position. Excellent support services, terrific pediatric networking, and competitive rates. Located in PA very close to the Delaware border. Please call Kerri Hample, OTR/L (610) 363-7009, ext. 216; Fax (610) 363-7055; Email: kerri@austills.com; Austill's Rehabilitation Services, Inc., 100 John Robert Thomas Drive, Exton, PA 19341.
Legislative Update
The senate passed an omnibus spending bill; next steps are pending on Medicare Home Health bill. IDEA is on March calendar.
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L.108-173) provides a two year moratorium on the cap; OT is a covered service of the hospice program; studies of the provision of vision services by providers such as orientation and mobility specialists were included in the bill; the omnibus appropriations bill (P.L. 108-199) was signed by President Bush; it requires the DHHS Secretary to conduct a study to look at the impact of standardized national coverage for vision rehabilitation.
AOTA is still advocating on Capitol Hill for cosponsors for H.R. 1125 and S. 569 (Medicare Access to Rehab Services Act of 2003); final action to repeal the cap in 2005 is necessary.
H.R. 3090 is the Medicare Occupational Therapy Coverage Eligibility Act of 2003; the bill would make OT equal to PT and SPT services as a qualifying service; the bill needs cosponsors.
The Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2003 (H.R. 3658 and S. 1909) has be re-introduced in Congress; insures that patients have access to quality stroke care, educate the public about prevention and early warning signs, and educate medical professionals in newly developed practices.
Mental Health Parity Reauthorization Act of 2003 (P.L.108-197) is an extension of the existing parity law; Pending is an expanded version (H.R. 953 and S. 486); these new bills would expand parity to eliminate discriminatory limits on inpatient days, outpatient sessions, maximum out-of-pocket limits, co-payments, and deductibles.
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