Newsletter Issue 6 - July / August 2004

Delaware Occupational Therapy Association Newsletter
July / August 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

Important Dates

• Tues, Sept 7: DOTA meeting, 6:30, Kent General Rehab (Bayhealth)

DE Board of OT meetings:

• 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.

From the President

Well, Labor Day is almost here, summer is almost done. (For some of us that is a blessing, as we look forward to hopefully a drier Fall). We certainly have had our share of wet weather this summer and I hope the flooding was minimal if you were affected.

I am looking forward to another great year as your President. The term of President and Vice President is a 2-year term and with that I will be asking for names of anyone who may be interested in running for these positions. Also, we need a new secretary, so if you are interested in that position, please let me know as soon as possible. This position is vacant. Rosemary is still looking for help with the newsletter, so please contact her if you are interested. We are always looking for members to help with the various committees, so I hope to see many of you at our next meeting on September 7th at 6:30 pm at Kent General Hospital (basement, near cafeteria).

Thanks to Arlene and Mary Jane for helping me go through all the "stuff" DOTA has collected over the years. I hope to get the important information we have collected onto discs to reduce the amount of paper that is floating around! And you should see the awards we have won in the past!!

And, congrats on the birth of Lisa Sligh’s new son, Coltin Dean Sligh!

Enjoy what is left of your summer. See you in September!
Kathy

Directory Changes

- Mary Jane McNamee, MEd, OTR/L has been elected Alternate Representative.
- Rachel Argo, COTA/L, 302-398-7784, self-employed.
- Nancy Painter, OTR/L, necner@verizon.net, work phone 610-273-2915.

E-mail Failure of Delivery

Unspecified problems were encountered with delivery of e-mail to the following addresses:

• Mvennell@bsd.k12.de.us
• kaydieko@yahoo.com
• dixichic78@aol.com
• hmoyer2228@aol.com
• doriegz1@aol.com
• AJLardear@erols.com
• witz2mutt@earthlink.net

Full mailboxes are sometimes a problem. If you recognize your e-mail address as incorrect, please contact me with necessary changes.

From the Awards and Nominations Committee

The results have been tabulated in the Delaware Representative to the Assembly Election. Debbie Oblath, MS, OTR/L has been elected Representative. Mary Jane McNamee, MEd, OTR/L has been elected Alternate Representative. Our congratulations and best wishes are extended to Debbie and Mary Jane.

Reimbursement and Medicare Issues

If you have received claims denials from your Medicare contractor for Wound Care Code (97601) when billed by Occupational Therapy and are a member of AOTA, you can contact AOTA's Reimbursement and Regulatory Policy Group at rrpd@aota.org.

AOTA has successfully convinced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that occupational therapy assistants working in occupational therapy private practices (OTPPs) should be working under the same level of supervision as occupational therapy assistants who work in all other settings! For years, CMS has required occupational therapy assistants to work under a higher level of supervision (in the room supervision) in OTPPs, which has created significant burdens for both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

AOTA applauds CMS for proposing a more clinically appropriate and workable supervision requirement for occupational therapy assistants who work in OTPPs.

Since this important shift in policy is in the proposal stage of CMS' rulemaking and is not yet final, it is crucial that CMS hears from occupational therapy practitioners who appreciate and agree with these proposed changes.

You can provide comments in a letter or send an e-mail directly to CMS (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/ecomments), or you can send your comments to AOTA to be included in the Association's official comments (rrpd@aota.org). The deadline for comments submitted directly to CMS is September 24, 2004, and AOTA can only include in the official comments feedback from members that it receives by September 20.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) agree with AOTA that occupational therapy services provided in physicians' offices must be performed by qualified personnel!

CMS has proposed to revise current regulations to require that only individuals meeting the existing qualification and training standards for therapists, with the exception of licensure, may provide therapy services incident to physicians' services. CMS historically has paid for therapy services in physician offices, regardless of the staff person's qualifications, which has created a myriad of problems. While CMS has proposed making this change, AOTA anticipates that there may be significant opposition, which could derail the efforts to make this change a binding rule. Therefore, CMS needs to hear from occupational therapy practitioners who support this change. You can provide comments in a letter or send an e-mail directly to CMS (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/ecomments), or you can send your comments to AOTA to be included in the Association's official comments (rrpd@aota.org).

Continuing Education

Inexpensive online courses, advertised as AOTA provider approved: http://www.edlantis.com/shop/customer/

Annual MOTA conference, November 5-6, 2004, Community College of Baltimore, Cantonsville campus, e-mail for more information: Pam.Vogel@Verizon.net, call Pam at 410-381-8593.

POTA Conference 2004, October 29 & 30, 2004,
Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, Harrisburg, PA
http://www.pota.org/conference_reg.cfm

Press Release from AOTA

American Occupational Therapy Association Names Frederick P. Somers as Executive Director

Bethesda, MD--The Board of Directors of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) today announced the appointment of Frederick P. Somers as its executive director, effective immediately. Somers has worked for the Association since 1985 and served as a Managing Associate Executive Director since November 2003.

Somers was chosen by the AOTA Board after a national search that included review by a panel of occupational therapy practitioners and students representing practice, education, and research.

"Fred Somers brings a strong commitment to the values and potential of the profession, and he has the skills to take the organization forward, to support the members as they step into new roles, and to create new opportunities," said AOTA President Carolyn M. Baum, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

In making the announcement, the AOTA President issued this statement:

"The Board of Directors has chosen Fred Somers knowing that he will develop a successful professional society that acknowledges the importance of grassroots involvement by its membership and elected leaders working with staff. We know that he will boldly undertake the changes that will lead the profession to achieve success. Fred Somers brings a strong history in advocacy, a great understanding of the profession, and a very strong commitment to move the profession forward as a premier health profession that helps people with disabilities and chronic health conditions live independent and meaningful lives."

Before being named a Managing Associate Executive Director in November 2003, Somers served on the Association's executive management team and has been the Associate Executive Director for Public Policy since 1996. He has been involved in government relations work for the organization since 1985.

In his tenure, Somers has achieved many notable accomplishments. He has been a steadfast advocate for occupational therapy, leading successful lobbying efforts to restore cuts in Medicare funding for therapy services and securing congressional approval of legislation expanding coverage for occupational therapy services under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. He also led advocacy efforts to strengthen the federal mandate for school-based occupational therapy services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

In 2000, Somers played a leading role in development and passage of the California occupational therapy licensure law, which provided a legal framework regulating the practice of occupational therapy in the nation's largest state. He guided AOTA's efforts that led to signing formal affiliation agreements between the Association and 51 states/jurisdictions. Most recently, he was instrumental in expanding the role of occupational therapy in the emerging new practice area of community mobility.

"The profession is poised to meet emerging societal needs for services, -- services that will enable people of all ages to live lives of full participation and independence," said Somers at a meeting to announce his appointment. "The American Occupational Therapy Association has a rich, 87-year history of leading the profession to meet new challenges with education, advocacy, and most importantly, vision. As the organization refines its Centennial Vision celebrating 100 years of occupational therapy, I look forward to working with our leaders and members to advance the profession and enhance its contributions to society."

Somers holds a degree from Johnson State College in Vermont. He lives in Chantilly, Virginia, with his wife, Jeanette, and son, Patrick.

The American Occupational Therapy Association is one of the nation's oldest professional healthcare societies, represents nearly 35,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students who improve peoples' lives by helping them accomplish the everyday things that allow them to participate in life and to give their lives meaning. Members work in practice, policy, research, and education. Nearly one-third of all occupational therapists work in schools. A significant number work in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, helping people recover from injury or illness. Other practice areas include mental health, driver rehabilitation, low vision therapy, home modification to support aging in place, stress reduction, and ergonomics. AOTA serves its members and the public through advocacy, education, and publishing operations. AOTA also works to raise public awareness and understanding of occupational therapy.

Celebrating 45 Years of the Occupational Therapy Assistant

Caroline Alterio, COTA
President
New York State Occupational Therapy Association

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the occupational therapy assistant working in the profession of occupational therapy. The contribution the occupational therapy assistant has made over the years validates the need of the assistant in the delivery of patient services. The assistant will continue to require the support of the occupational therapist in order to maintain her identity and autonomy in the profession of occupational therapy.

BUILDING FOUNDATIONS

All of our past experiences are the foundations for what we have become today. What we do with what we know is how we influence change. Sometimes those changes are difficult and challenging, but we should not back down from positive change. In researching the history of our profession, I found it critical to be cognizant of our past. History is our experience; it is the tool that guides us.

Robert K. Bing, EdD, OTR, FAOTA, stated “It is knowing enough about what has come before us to know what to consider or rule out when evaluating the present, and on to our future.” In celebrating the forty-fifth anniversary of the occupational therapy assistant, leaders in the profession need to encourage advancement, continued competence and provide a learning environment for the occupational therapy assistant to grow. Providing appropriate levels of supervision for the entry-level assistant will only ensure quality occupational therapy intervention.

In a 1964 training for occupational therapy assistants in Detroit, Michigan, Colonel Ruth Brunyate Wiemer, OTR is quoted to saying” Able seaman far outnumber captains and commodores, yet ships do not sink, and new ship forms, from sail to nuclear power, have evolved to meet man’s need. So too, the varied levels of our profession can be coordinated to achieve efficiency and growth.”

Without the belief and conviction of this occupational therapist, I would not be here today representing occupational therapy practitioners across New York State. Wiemer believed in the value and the role of the occupational therapy assistant and believed we would be a valuable contribution to the field. Forty-five years after the evolution of the occupational therapy assistant, I believe too in the occupational therapy profession.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

Many practitioners have, in my experience, advocated for building strong partnerships between the OTAs and OTs. Based on my experience in traditional areas of practice, the occupational therapist should provide a learning environment to facilitate the growth of the occupational therapy assistant. The quality of the occupational therapy assistant is highly dependent on the relationship and the learning environment that the occupational therapist offers. In celebrating forty-five years in the profession, we also need to celebrate the growth and the development of the relationship between the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant. As our profession moves to an entry-level masters degree program, we need to be cognizant of assuring best practice partnering with the assistant in providing a higher-level quality of care.

BUILDING THE BRIDGE TO UNITY

This year as we celebrate the assistant’s position in the profession, we must collaborate with the leaders in the profession to transmit the value and participation of the occupational therapy assistant. Educators need to instill the importance of joining both national and state association membership. Our most significant aspect in educating the public on our profession is to first educate our practitioners. We need our leaders to advocate and communicate effectively the importance of the assistant role in the profession. Our time is here and now. The health care market is changing and if we miss the opportunity to utilize the role of the assistant in the profession, someone else will. As new areas of practice are evolving, we need to be creative and knowledgeable about utilizing the occupational therapy assistant in these settings.

CELEBRATING BUILDING THE PROFESSION

Our profession is changing and growing; we need to expand our expertise and knowledge about occupation and occupational therapy. We need to be advocates in our practice environments and to develop strong and positive visions for our future. Your national and state association is an important element of the future of our profession.

To envision a dynamic, responsive and influential profession we need to continue to support the unique partnership we can have between the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant. It is the strength of our leaders that allows us to meet these challenges and to bring change to the profession of occupational therapy. It is my hope that our vision for the profession will continue to support the role of the occupational therapy assistant. Let’s celebrate by remembering to build the profession one step at time and begin by embracing the role of the occupational therapist assistant.

Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
- Henry Ford

Employment Opportunities

OTR/L 5-10 hrs/wk at Rehabilitation Consultants, Inc. Hiring immediately for a Delaware licensed OTR/L at a large North Wilmington outpatient clinic. Caseload includes all ages, neurological, pediatric and orthopedic. Please contact Robert Catalano, MA PT Cert MDT at RCIPT@aol.com

OTR/L 5-10 hrs/wk for various assisted living centers with Rehabilitation Consultants, Inc. Hiring immediately for a Delaware licensed OTR/L. Patient evaluation and supervision of experienced COTA at various assisted living centers. Be part of an energetic PT and ST team. Please contact Robert Catalano, MA PT Cert MDT at RCIPT@aol.com

Pediatric School Based Occupational Therapists needed to begin September 2004!!! Therapy Services of Del. Inc. is in need of full and part-time therapists for work in the schools. These are contractual positions available in Wilmington, Delaware and Southern New Jersey areas. Client caseloads: Full spectrum of children with developmental challenges. Grade levels from preschool through high school. Ongoing continuing education program. (This year included Mary Benbow OTR and Judi Bierman PT). Flexible hours that are compatible with family schedules. Work with a supportive group of OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, and SLPs/CCC. We welcome new grads or individuals interested in pediatrics. For those individuals without pediatric experience, we will provide some center-based sites as well as a mentor. If interested; please contact Carolyn or Treasa@ Therapy Services of DE., Inc., 24 Gates Circle, Hockessin, Delaware 19707. Call: (302) 239-0920 or fax a resume to (302) 234-1661.

Christiana Care: Looking for some extra spending money this summer? Considering a new full-time or part-time position? Discover how our Occupational Therapists make an impression each and every day. Located in Delaware, Christiana Care is one of the nation’s largest private health systems. We bring together the latest technology, top-of-the-line resources, modern facilities, and some of the most talented people in the healthcare field. Find out how you can make your own impression. In this position, the Occupational Therapist will evaluate and treat patients with physical dysfunctions in the acute care setting as required by physician's written order. Candidates must be a Graduate from an accredited Occupational Therapy program, with a current DE license and registered with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. For more information, or to apply online for immediate consideration, please visit christianacare.org or email resume to Jonathan Judy at jjudy@christianacare.org

Genesis Rehab Services is hiring immediately for full-time, part-time, and per diem OTRs and COTAs for our skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the Newark and Wilmington areas. We are a dedicated, flexible, and fun rehab team, seeking therapists of all experience levels. Please contact Cheryl Merritt, MS, OTR/L for more information by emailing OtDeeter@comcast.net or calling (302) 528-1255!

Rehab Dynamics is currently seeking a full time Occupational Therapist for our skilled nursing facility in Lewes, Delaware. This is a beautiful facility located within minutes of the shore. Work with a full team of therapists providing rehabilitation services in this subacute and long-term care center. Earn a very competitive wage and full benefits package, including 401(k). New grads and experienced therapists are encouraged to apply. Additional opportunities are available for OTs and COTAs for PRN work in Wilmington, Dover, and Lewes. Call Kathy in our recruitment department at (800) 632-2191.

Imagine yourself working at Beebe and relaxing on the beach! Beebe Medical Center is experiencing tremendous growth. To meet the needs of our patients, we are seeking a full-time Occupational Therapist. Position offers a great deal of flexibility: a portion of the day working in our skilled nursing facility (adjacent to the hospital), and a portion of the day seeing home care patients (managed by our home health care division). Must have current DE licensure, with a current drivers license. Offering sign-on bonus, outstanding compensation and benefits package. Live and work at the beach -- call today!

Beebe Medical Center
424 Savannah Road
Lewes, DE 19958
PHONE: (302) 645-3336
FAX: (302) 645-0965
creynold@bbmc.org

RehabCare Group Inc. is seeking prn COTA or OTR for the Milford DE location. Contact Wendy Mears (302) 424-4438 or (302) 430-5964, or email her at wmot@dmv.com

Come and join the Sunrise Senior Living Team! Forwood Manor is looking for a per diem Occupational Therapist. 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.

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